Depaz
Depaz produces AOC Martinique-certified agricultural rum from sugarcane grown on 521 hectares of volcanic terroir on Montagne Pelée, offering white, aged, and vintage expressions via its estate boutique, exclusive French distributor Premium Craft Spirits, and emerging German market presence.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1917
- HeadquartersLa Chaussée De Saint-pierre, France
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Depaz does
Depaz is a Martinique-based agricultural rum producer operating from the historic La Montagne estate on the volcanic slopes of Montagne Pelée, with corporate ownership under Bardinet SAS (part of the COFEPP/La Martiniquaise group, headquartered in Blanquefort, France). The company produces AOC Martinique-certified agricultural rums from sugarcane grown exclusively across 521 hectares of volcanic terroir, employing traditional production methods including a historic steam-powered cane grinding machine, 48-hour fermentation (vs. industry-standard 36 hours), and minimum 60-day slow reduction for white rums.
The product portfolio spans four white agricultural rums (Cuvée de la Montagne, Cuvée des Alizés, Cuvée Papao Millésime 2019, L'Âme de la Montagne), three aged expressions (Plantation, VSOP, Grande Réserve XO), four special editions (Port Cask Finish, Millésime 2010, Cuvée Prestige, Cuvée des Hôtes du Château), and two gift sets. Distribution combines direct-to-consumer channels (estate boutique, online store, on-site restaurant Le Moulin à Cannes) with exclusive B2B partnerships, most notably Premium Craft Spirits for France and emerging presence in Germany through Bar Convent Berlin and the Limonadier Cocktail Bar partnership.
The business operates a hybrid revenue model combining premium bottled rum sales (the primary revenue stream), spirit tourism revenue (distillery tours, château visits, tastings at €5-€7 per person), and ancillary F&B revenue from the on-site restaurant. Customer segments span premium spirits enthusiasts, Martinique tourists, specialty retailers/HORECA, and cocktail professionals. Recent strategic activity has focused on organic product development, capacity expansion co-financed by EU/FEDER funds, and international awards accumulation (22 awards in 2024, Best Rum of the World at the 2025 Caribbean Rum Awards).
Depaz firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Depaz
- Legal name
- Bardinet SAS
- Website
- https://depaz.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1917
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Depaz produces AOC Martinique-certified agricultural rum from sugarcane grown on 521 hectares of volcanic terroir on Montagne Pelée, offering white, aged, and vintage expressions via its estate boutique, exclusive French distributor Premium Craft Spirits, and emerging German market presence.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Depaz industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Premium Agricultural Rum
- NAICS
- Distilleries (312140), Distilleries (31214)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Distilled Spirits Production & Distilling (AFAFAAAC)
Keywords
Where Depaz is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- La Chaussée De Saint-pierre
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Depaz business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Agricultural Rum Sales: Depaz generates revenue primarily through direct sales of its agricultural rum products including white rums, aged rums, and special editions. Products are sold through the on-site boutique, online store, and through distribution partners.
- Spirit Tourism: Revenue from distillery visits, castle tours, and tastings. The estate offers guided tours, audio-guided visits, and hosts events, generating additional revenue from tourism activities.
- Restaurant Operations: Le Moulin à Cannes restaurant operates on the estate, serving local cuisine and contributing to visitor experience and revenue.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Castle visit with 1 tasting |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Castle visit with 2 tastings |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Single tasting |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Children under 16 |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Depaz product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Depaz produces AOC-certified agricultural rum from fresh sugarcane harvested exclusively on the volcanic slopes of Mount Pelée in Martinique. The product range includes white agricultural rums, aged rums (VSOP, XO), special editions, and gift sets, complemented by distillery tourism including guided tours, tastings, and an on-site restaurant. The distillery employs traditional column distillation with copper equipment, 48-hour fermentation, and aging in selected oak casks.
Product overview
Depaz is a Martinique-based agricultural rum producer offering a portfolio of AOC-certified rums from volcanic terroir of Mount Pelée. The product range consists of four white agricultural rums (Cuvée de la Montagne, Cuvée des Alizés, Cuvée Papao Millésime 2019, and L'Ame de la Montagne), three aged rums (Plantation, VSOP, and Grande Réserve XO), four special editions (Port Cask Finish, Millésime 2010, Cuvée Prestige, and Cuvée des Hôtes du Château), and two gift box sets. The portfolio is distributed through their estate visitor experience including distillery tours, château visits, restaurant, and retail boutique.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Depaz Cuvée de la Montagne White agricultural rum made from pure sugar cane juice harvested exclusively from the foot of Mount Pelée, featuring long fermentation and 60-day slow reduction with 3-month maturation.
- Depaz Cuvée des Alizés White agricultural rum from sugar cane harvested during the trade winds season (February to April), made from 3 selected varieties with exceptional aromatic richness.
- Depaz Cuvée Papao Millésime 2019 Single-plot white rum from the Papao parcel on the Caribbean coast of Saint Pierre, made from sugar-rich blue canes with slow fractional reduction.
- Depaz L'Âme de la Montagne Organic parcellary white rum from the highest altitude plot of Depaz plantations, certified organic agriculture, reflecting the soul of Mount Pelée with maximum sunshine exposure.
- Depaz Rhum Vieux Plantation Aged agricultural rum matured minimum 3 years in oak casks, characterized by notes of vanilla, coconut, chocolate, and prune.
- Depaz Réserve Spéciale VSOP Unique blend of aged rums matured minimum 7 years in specially selected small oak casks, featuring notes of chocolate, dried fruits, tobacco, and liquorice.
- Depaz Grande Réserve XO Premium aged rum blend, an exceptional digestif with rich and gourmet notes, aged between 8 and 10 years.
- Depaz Finition Fûts de Porto Aged rum finished for 11 months in selected Port casks, offering gourmet aromas of stewed fruits and figs.
- Depaz Millésime 2010 Single vintage rum from 2010 harvest, aged over 10 years in American oak then 18-24 months in French red oak barrels.
- Depaz Cuvée Prestige Prestigious blend of aged rums in selected oak casks, voted best rum in the world at Caribbean Rum Awards 2025.
- Depaz Cuvée des Hôtes du Château Limited edition aged rum blend paying homage to the grand dining room of Château Depaz, chosen for opulence and refinement of aromas.
- Depaz Coffret 2 verres VSOP Gift set containing a 70cl VSOP bottle plus two tasting glasses in distillery colors.
- Depaz Coffret Miniature Découverte Discovery gift set with four 5cl miniatures featuring signature expressions: Cuvée de la Montagne, Plantation, VSOP, and XO.
- Depaz Cuvée des 100 ans du Château Limited edition celebrating the 100th anniversary of Château Depaz, with 1,400 bottles from 10 unique barrels, mostly American oak (2/3 red, 1/3 new).
- Spirit Tourism and Distillery Tours Distillery tours, Château visits, tastings, and event hosting at the Saint-Pierre estate for visitors. Includes guided tours, audio-guided visits, and tasting experiences.
Quantifiable outcome
- Best Rum of the World 2025 - Caribbean Rum Awards
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Depaz
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Depaz technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Depaz partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Raid des AlizésminorAnnual partner since 2018 of the all-female adventure race event in Martinique, promoting the island's heritage and solidarity values.
- MadifloraminorAnnual hosting of the Madiflora horticultural show on the Depaz estate since 2010, promoting local horticulturists and craftsmen.
- Premium Craft SpiritscoreExclusive distribution partner for the French market. Wine shops and retailers can purchase Depaz products through Premium Craft Spirits for sale in their regions.
- European Union / European Regional Development FundcoreEU co-financed Depaz distillery modernization project including bottling facility upgrades and aging capacity expansion through the FEDER program.
- Collectivité Territoriale de Martinique (CTM)coreLocal government partner for freight subsidy program compensating for insular surcosts, jointly funding with EU.
- Kréol Food & RhumminorPartnership contributing to the promotion of Martinique culinary culture and local products.
- André MagantalminorMartinique beekeeper partnership for beehive installation on the Depaz estate, supporting local biodiversity.
- Limonadier Cocktail BarminorBerlin cocktail bar partnership for exclusive Depaz tasting events and brand ambassador presentations during Bar Convent Berlin.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Depaz competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Distillerie Damoiseau: Leading Guadeloupe agricole rum producer. Same agricole rum category and AOC-style certification framework (AOC Rhum Agricole de la Guadeloupe), but operates in a different French Caribbean territory and serves as the natural cross-island benchmark for Depaz.
- Distillerie Longueteau: Guadeloupe agricole rum producer with single-vintage and parcellary expressions that mirror Depaz's Cuvée Papao and Millésime strategy. Comparable craft-scale positioning and terroir storytelling.
Direct peers
- Rhum Clément: Martinique AOC agricole rum producer owned by Bardinet/La Martiniquaise (the same parent group as Depaz). Operates Habitation Clément in Le François with comparable AOC-certified agricole portfolio and tourism infrastructure.
- Rhum Neisson: Small-batch Martinique AOC agricole rum producer in Le Carbet, adjacent to Depaz on the Caribbean coast. Comparable parcellary, single-vintage, and aged expressions, often cited alongside Depaz in premium agricole comparisons.
- Rhum JM: Iconic Martinique AOC agricole rum from Macouba in the north of Martinique. Closest direct terroir peer to Depaz, also volcanic-influenced and award-winning, with comparable white/aged portfolio and distillery tourism.
- Rhum HSE: Habitation Saint-Étienne, Martinique AOC agricole rum producer with similar white/aged portfolio and estate tourism model. Competes with Depaz in HORECA and specialty retail across France and export markets.
- Rhum La Favorite: Independent family-owned Martinique AOC agricole rum producer based in Fort-de-France. Direct peer at the craft/premium tier, competing for HORECA listings and collector-aged-rum attention.
- Rhum Trois Rivières: Martinique AOC agricole rum from Sainte-Luce in the south. Comparable aged-rum portfolio and AOC terroir story; competes directly with Depaz for HORECA listings and international specialty distribution.
- Distillerie Dillon: Martinique AOC agricole rum producer also owned by Bardinet/La Martiniquaise group. Sister brand to Depaz within the same parent; shares freight-aid and export infrastructure referenced in the company data.
Broad incumbents
- Maison Ferrand / Plantation Rum: International premium rum brand portfolio with broader geographic sourcing (Caribbean multi-origin) and significantly larger global distribution. Overlaps with Depaz in the premium/aged French-rum consumer segment and competitive award circuits.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Depaz social profiles
Digital presenceDepaz compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Depaz financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Depaz leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Depaz funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Depaz M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Depaz
What does Depaz do?
Depaz produces AOC-certified agricultural rum from fresh sugarcane harvested exclusively on the volcanic slopes of Mount Pelée in Martinique. The product range includes white agricultural rums, aged rums (VSOP, XO), special editions, and gift sets, complemented by distillery tourism including guided tours, tastings, and an on-site restaurant. The distillery employs traditional column distillation with copper equipment, 48-hour fermentation, and aging in selected oak casks.
Is Depaz a public or private company?
Depaz is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Depaz founded?
Depaz was founded in 1917. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Depaz based?
Depaz is headquartered in La Chaussée De Saint-pierre, France, in the Europe region.
How does Depaz make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Agricultural Rum Sales are the primary driver. The others are spirit Tourism and restaurant Operations.
Who are Depaz's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Distillerie Damoiseau and Distillerie Longueteau. Direct peers are Rhum Clément, Rhum Neisson, Rhum JM, Rhum HSE, Rhum La Favorite, Rhum Trois Rivières and Distillerie Dillon. Maison Ferrand / Plantation Rum is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Depaz have an API?
No public API is recorded for Depaz.
What industry is Depaz in?
Depaz's product category is Premium Agricultural Rum. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAFAAAC, Distilled Spirits Production & Distilling. Its NAICS code is 312140.