This rhum agricole (made from fresh sugar cane juice) starts its maturation in used American bourbon barrels. Each year these barrels are tasted and then blended and put back into the bourbon barrels until they are ready to be finished in cognac barrels for about six months. To bear the AOC Martinique Rhum Vieux mark, the rhum must be aged at least 36 months. Most of this rhum has aged much more.