Distillerie JM

JM sits in a narrow valley at Macouba on the northern coast, hemmed in by steep slopes below Mount Pelée, and it is among the smallest of the island's working distilleries, crushing cane grown on the surrounding hillsides within hours of cutting and using water from a spring on the property. The setting, a cluster of buildings and barrel stores in a green cleft, is the reason to make the drive up the northern coast.

What you actually see

• The valley setting - the works enclosed by steep green slopes below Pelée.
• The estate cane - crop grown on the surrounding hillsides and crushed the same day.
• The barrel stores - the ageing cellars in the buildings up the valley.
• The spring water - the source on the property used in production.

When to go

January to June is the cane season when the distillery runs. Outside it there is much less to see. It closes on Sundays.

Honest expectations

The drive up the northern coast is long and winding. Outside the cane season the works are idle. The site is small and an hour covers it.

Nearby

Macouba is on the coast, and Grand-Rivière is west.