Excellence is Cultivated: The Legacy of Barbancourt Distillery

For more than 160 years, the Barbancourt distillery has been a paragon of excellence, passing down its unique know-how from generation to generation. Founded by Dupré Barbancourt, the distillery’s commitment to refining the Barbancourt style has been unwavering. In the 1950s, Jean Gardère introduced industrialization to the estate, and his son, Thierry Gardère, further enhanced production capacity. Today, under the guardianship of Delphine Gardère, the distillery embraces a modern and international dimension, carrying forward the legacy with a contemporary twist. 

Barbancourt’s mission is to bring the soul of Haiti to life throughout the world. This mission transcends the mere sharing of rhum; it embodies being an ambassador of Haiti’s identity, culture, art, spirituality, and extraordinary zest for life. Barbancourt aims to introduce the world to a unique experience rooted in the quality of its rhums, the capacity to innovate while staying true to its roots, and the shared history with the Haitian people. Locally, the distillery is committed to maintaining traditions and know-how, supporting the Haitian people and culture in their daily lives. 

At the heart of Barbancourt is a profound love for Haiti and its people. More than just a brand or company, Rhum Barbancourt is a national institution. The distillery has forged strong emotional, economic, and cultural ties with Haiti, underpinned by a deep commitment to social and community involvement. This dedication is central to the brand’s identity, reflecting its role in the lives of Haitians.

Since its inception in 1862, authenticity and continuity have been the bedrock of Barbancourt’s operations. The distillery’s expertise in crafting quality rhums is internationally recognized, with each generation serving as a temporary guardian of this living heritage. The knowledge and skills of Barbancourt are perpetuated through its Haitian collaborators, ensuring that the distillery’s craftsmanship remains unparalleled.

Delphine Gardère, the current steward of the Barbancourt legacy, is proud to continue the family traditions while infusing a contemporary vision into the enterprise. Under her leadership, Rhum Barbancourt has gained international recognition, driven by ongoing research and development of new products. Delphine remains faithful to the philosophy of company founder, Dupré Barbancourt, blending tradition with innovation. 

Delphine Gardère is the CEO of Société du Rhum Barbancourt and the fifth generation of the Gardère family to oversee Haiti’s oldest rhum company. Raised in Haiti, Delphine pursued higher education in France, earning a degree in Business at the INSEEC Grande Ecole Paris, followed by studies at Emory University in Atlanta. Her career began in finance and investment as a stock analyst in London. She later earned a master’s degree in marketing from the Cranfield School of Management in the UK and worked as a marketer in the fragrance industry. 

In 2016, Delphine realized her true passion was in consumer products and her family business. She returned to Haiti to develop a plan for premiumization, expanding distribution and export growth for Barbancourt. Following her father’s passing in March 2017, Delphine took on the mantle of upholding Barbancourt’s 160-year legacy, becoming the second woman in her family lineage to lead the distillery. 

For Delphine, rhum is in her DNA. The spirit’s storied history, from the famous buccaneer island of Tortuga to social rituals, resonates deeply with her. Having grown up around the manufacturing side of rhum, the product is a repository of memories and milestones in her life. Delphine identifies three key characteristics that define a rhum: its base ingredient (sugarcane), the distillation process, and aging (with Barbancourt aging their rhum in oak casks). 

In her work and travels, Delphine advocates for Haitian rhum on the global stage, ensuring Barbancourt maintains its position as one of the industry’s finest. Her thesis at Cranfield on the premiumization of rhum laid the groundwork for Barbancourt’s current strategies. Delphine’s efforts have elevated Haiti’s perception by showcasing Barbancourt’s award-winning selections, which celebrate craftsmanship, flavor, and shared enjoyment. Notably, Delphine champions the inclusion of women in the industry, achieving a nearly 50% increase in female hires at the distillery over the past four years, spanning roles from administration to quality control, operations, and maintenance. 

As a rhum producer, Barbancourt has significantly contributed to professionalizing the ecosystem of sugarcane farmers who supply their primary ingredient. This collaborative growth has been a rewarding byproduct of Delphine’s tenure in the rhum industry. 

In recent years, Delphine and Rhum Barbancourt have focused on strengthening their brand identity, crafting premium offerings, and expanding market reach. The future promises continued excellence, with new releases that highlight Barbancourt’s craftsmanship and an improved sustainability profile through projects in collaboration with the IDB. 

Delphine’s favorite way to enjoy rhum is with friends during cocktail hour or weekends at the pool or beach. As she notes, “It’s a drink that brings people together in different ways, whether casually or on a rooftop bar with cocktails. rhum brings us together.” 

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