Montebello distillery

Located in Petit-Bourg on the island of Basse-Terre in Guadeloupe, Montebello Distillery is one of the leading names in Guadeloupean agricole rum. Its history began in 1930 with the creation of the Carrère Distillery. In 1966, Jean Marsolle acquired the estate and began modernising it alongside his son Alain. The distillery adopted the name Montebello in 1975 and remains a family-owned business today, managed by Grégory and Dominique Marsolle, the fifth generation of the family's distillers.

Montebello produces its agricole rums exclusively from fresh sugar cane juice. The cane is sourced from different areas across Guadeloupe in partnership with several hundred growers. Green, red, yellow, blue, and black sugar cane varieties may be blended together or, for selected releases, distilled separately to highlight their individual character and the diversity of Guadeloupe's terroirs.

One of the distillery's defining features is its historic steam engine, which is still used to power the mills that crush the sugar cane. Montebello is now the last distillery on mainland Guadeloupe where cane milling is still steam-driven. After the juice has been extracted, the bagasse—the fibrous residue of the cane—is used as fuel to generate the steam required to operate both the mills and the distillation column.

Fermentation is another distinctive aspect of Montebello's expertise. Using a traditional pied de cuve method, it generally lasts between 48 and 52 hours. The resulting cane wine, with an alcohol content of around 5–6%, is then slowly distilled in a continuous column still. The spirit leaves the column at between 74% and 80% ABV before resting for several months in stainless steel tanks and being gradually reduced to the desired bottling strength.

Montebello produces both white agricole rums, lightly aged expressions, and fully matured aged rums. As early as 1974, Alain Marsolle became one of the pioneers of agricole rum ageing in Guadeloupe by importing ex-bourbon casks from the United States. The distillery still relies primarily on bourbon casks, complemented by Cognac casks and, for certain finishes, casks that previously held wine.

Combining family heritage, Guadeloupean terroir, and a constant search for new expressions of sugar cane, Montebello creates agricole rums with a distinctive identity. Its releases showcase both the vibrant freshness of pure cane juice and the vanilla, pastry, spicy, and oak-driven notes developed through maturation.

Swell de Spirits, Independent Bottler

Founded in 2021 by Michael and Kelly Barbaria, Swell de Spirits is a family-owned independent bottler based in France. Born from their shared passion for spirits, travel, and the discovery of new terroirs, the project is driven by a clear ambition: to select distinctive spirits while showcasing the producers, distilleries, and craftsmanship behind every bottle.

Swell de Spirits explores a wide range of categories, including rum, whisky, Cognac, Armagnac, Calvados, and various eaux-de-vie. Its portfolio has since expanded to include tequila, mezcal, gin, and liqueurs. This diversity allows the company to explore different regions, raw materials, and production traditions without being confined to a single style or origin.

Every selection begins with tasting. Samples are evaluated and compared several times before a bottling decision is made. Some releases retain their original ageing to preserve the character of the distillate, while others undergo additional ageing, a cask finish, or are carefully blended. Swell de Spirits therefore works with both single casks and original creations bringing together multiple casks or different origins.

Close relationships with producers are central to this philosophy. Michael Barbaria regularly visits distilleries, estates, and partner producers to better understand their methods, terroir, and the stories behind each selected spirit. Swell de Spirits approaches its role with humility, recognising that the work of an independent bottler begins only after that of the growers, distillers, and cellar masters. Every release is designed to respect the spirit while giving greater visibility to the people who created it.

Each bottling is released in limited quantities and forms part of a collection with its own distinctive identity. Series such as Wild Nature, Private Garden, Flashback, Wonders, and Swell & Co each explore different spirit profiles and selection philosophies. The labels also play an important role, with illustrations inspired by the place of production, the atmosphere of each release, or the emotions it evokes.

Through careful cask selection, close collaborations with producers, and ongoing experimentation with ageing, cask finishing, and blending, Swell de Spirits has developed its own vision of independent bottling. Its limited editions are intended for enthusiasts seeking rums, whiskies, and other characterful spirits selected for their individuality rather than simply their category.