• CRAFTED FROM HERITAGE LS TAFIA Ludger SylbarisTafia
Named after Ludger Sylbaris, the only man to survive Mount Pelée's eruption of 1902. A heritage tafia celebrating resilience,
Inspiration
Dream to reality freedom
Native of Saint-Pierre and Prêcheur, the author was raised on the stories of their history and played hide-and-seek in the ruins of the city. They are determined to honor these two cities and Sylbaris by spreading the word about this tragedy to the world.
Saint-Pierre and Prêcheur were the epicenters of the slave revolt, and it is from these cities that I draws inspiration to create a tafia, a rum distilled from molasses, that is free from the influence of the colonists. The slaves were the ones who created tafia, as the colonies did not focus on tobacco production but on sugar, and some saw an opportunity to produce and distill tafia, or rum.
- The author's childhood in Saint-Pierre and Prêcheur was shaped by the stories of the slave revolt and the destruction of the city by Mount Pelée in 1902.
- I m passionate about preserving the history and culture of Saint-Pierre and Prêcheur.
- I m believes that tafia is a symbol of the resilience and ingenuity of the slaving people of Saint-Pierre and Prêcheur and all colonized island .
About Ludger Sylbaris
Story
Ludger Sylbaris of St. Pierre and Precheur , Martinique was very lucky to have been arrested on May 7, 1902, for engaging in a drunken brawl as the stone cell that he was placed in overnight ended up saving his life when a volcanic eruption destroyed the city the next day.
The Mt. Pelee volcano has been described as the worst volcanic disaster of the 20th century as it completely flattened the entire town of Saint Pierre to ashes, killing an estimated 40,000 people.
Born in 1875 on the island of Martinique, Sylbaris has throughout his lifetime been known as a troublemaker.
When he was arrested on May 7, he was put into solitary confinement and locked in an underground single-cell.
This rather harsh punishment saved his life when the volcano erupted. Trapped alone in his cell, Sylbaris had to urinate on his clothing and stuff them in a tiny slot in the door as hot air mixed with ashes had started entering his cell.
When he was rescued four days later, he had terrible burns on his arms, back and legs because of the heat.
Having survived such a terrible disaster, Sylbaris became a world celebrity. His crimes were pardoned and he was hired to tour with the Barnum & Bailey circus where he was advertised as being a “living relic” and “the man who lived through Doomsday”. The town has since not fully recovered from that disaster, as the population is still low as compared to 1902. Not more than 6,000 people currently live in the town. The cell which saved Sylbaris’ life has also become a tourist attraction and can be visited in St. Pierre.
Saint-Pierre
One hundred years of certitude: Saint-Pierre, the former capital city of Martinique located on the northern Caribbean coast of this French Caribbean
island has forever imprinted the history of the Caribbean.
Once upon a time, Saint-Pierre…
Before 1902, Saint-Pierre was the first center of European trade and culture in the Caribbean. Not only a major economic and administrative center, the city boasted all the attires of the larger cities of the coast of France : a large theater, parks, fountains and statuary. It was a major port, not only as capital and major city of Martinique, but as a comfortable enclave of European civilization in this very different “new world”. Saint-Pierre was known as the “little Paris” of the West-Indies. A true cultural Mecca, the city was famous for its vibrant nightlife, its music, its fashion, its ideas, its Carnival, its people and the beauty of its women.
LE PERCHEUR
Le Prêcheur: A Historical Gem in Martinique's Northern Coast
Nestled on the northern tip of Martinique, Le Prêcheur stands as a charming commune, steeped in history and natural beauty. Bordering the communes of Saint-Pierre to the south and Grand'Rivière to the west, Le Prêcheur's name draws its origins from a rock formation that once resembled a preacher standing on a pulpit. Sadly, this remarkable rock was lost during the eruption of Mount Pelée.
A Glimpse into the Past: From Indigenous Roots to Colonial Settlement
Close to Saint-Pierre and Carbet, the first towns established by colonists, Le Prêcheur holds the distinction of being one of the island's oldest parishes. Established as a parish in the 1640s, a church was constructed in 1644. This church would later welcome notable figures like Father du Tertre and Father Labat. Interestingly, the church boasted a bell gifted by King Louis XIV in 1712. Following the eruption of Mount Pelée, only the church's bell tower remains, standing as the oldest in Martinique and classified as a historical monument today.
The indigenous inhabitants of the area were swiftly displaced towards the Atlantic coast before being permanently driven off the island or exterminated. Gradually, the parish of Le Prêcheur saw its population grow, and a sugar factory was erected in 1658. It wasn't until 1680, four decades after the commune's establishment as a parish, that a town emerged within its borders.
Navigating Challenges and Embracing Resilience
During the 18th century, the need to rebuild the church arose. However, technical limitations prevented the construction of stone bell towers above the churches' choirs. Despite the presence of a sugar factory, the 18th and 19th centuries saw Le Prêcheur primarily relying on fishing and agriculture as its main economic activities. Local produce was transported to Saint-Pierre, then the island's capital.
In 1902, the commune of Le Prêcheur suffered a severe blow. Several buildings were destroyed, prompting residents to relocate to communes in the island's center. It wasn't until the 1920s that the commune regained its appeal.
Reconstruction, Repopulation, and the Legacy of Françoise d'Aubigné
Under the leadership of Ashton Tardon, the father of Manon and Raphaël Tardon, the Byzantine-style church and the town hall were reconstructed in 1930. The town gradually regained its population after the 1950s.
Le Prêcheur holds a special place in history as the former home of Françoise d'Aubigné, the Marquise de Maintenon, who resided there from the age of 3 to 10. She later became the wife of King Louis XIV. Legend has it that she maintained a deep attachment to her childhood home, a sentiment she is said to have conveyed to her husband, Louis XIV. This connection is believed to have influenced his decision to intensify sugarcane cultivation on the island. She reportedly returned to the commune on several occasions, leaving an indelible mark on her heart.
Today, Le Prêcheur beckons visitors with its rich heritage, captivating natural beauty, and the allure of its historical sites,making it a gem waiting to be discovered in Martinique's northern crown.
TAFIA
ORIGIN
The French established a permanent presence in the West Indies in 1625. After failing to settle in Brazil, they settled on Saint-Christophe and, to a much lesser extent, on Saint-Domingue. At that time, the main crop in the Lesser Antilles was tobacco. However, this product, although profitable, did not find real commercial outlets in the face of Brazilian tobacco of much better quality.
The "Company of the Islands of America" was created in 1635 at the instigation of Richelieu. It was responsible for colonizing Guadeloupe and Martinique and, later, islands such as Saint Lucia, Grenada and Saint Barthélemy. The Company encouraged the colonists to plant sugar cane, but they were slow to do so, especially as the world sugar market was in a bad way.
At the end of 1639 or the beginning of 1640, the first sugar mill in Guadeloupe was built by Samuel Trezel.
In Martinique, it was Daniel Trezel, a Dutchman from Rouen, who received, on April 6, 1639, the monopoly on the cultivation of sugar cane in Martinique for 7 years, with the prohibition of planting tobacco there. In the same year, in August 1639, de Poincy, lieutenant general of the Islands of America, granted a certain Monsieur Fague a monopoly on the distillation of cane brandy in Saint-Christophe and Martinique for ten years. The effectiveness of this authorization is unknown, but it is the oldest reference to the production of tafia in the French Antilles. In 1640, Daniel Trézel built the first sugar mill in Martinique which, according to Father du Tertre, was located in Saint-Pierre.
In 1640, Father Bouton said, speaking of the slaves: "They are very fond of brandy, which they call belly-burner". This is the first French reference to the consumption of rum, whose name "Belly-burner" echoes the name "Kill-Devil" in the English West Indies.
unsubstantiated influence of slaves on rum production. It states that the French were inspired by slaves to produce rum from "slave tafia.
The French played a role in establishing the sugar and rum industries in their West Indian colonies. The influence from enslaved people, . The true origin of rum likely lies with the enslaved people of the Caribbean.
Store
Curated expressions of heritage tafia story of resilience and craftsmanship
Whisky & Cigars
LS Tafia White
70
40% ABV100clNose: Fresh cane sugar, white pepper, vanilla
Palate: Smooth molasses, subtle citrus, clean finish
Finish: Warming, slightly spicy
Our signature white tafia. Distilled from Caribbean molasses and bottled unaged to preserve the pure character of our craft. The entry point to Sylbaris heritage.
Tafia VO Bourbon
80
40% ABV50clNose: Oak, caramel, molasses, spice
Palate: Depth, honey, warm spice
Finish: Long, elegant, vanilla oak
Aged 6 years in American bourbon barrels. A richer expression with depth and complexity. For the discerning collector who appreciates time and craft.
LS Tafia VO Cognac
90
40% ABV50clNose: Dried fruits, cognac notes, wood smoke
Palate: Complex, refined, fruit forward
Finish: Silky, persistent, sophisticated
Aged in French Cognac casks for exceptional character. Limited production. A masterpiece for collectors seeking the pinnacle of tafia craftsmanship.
Limited Edition Martinique old cigar 1637/1787
250
We are proud to offer a preview of the upcoming Principle Cigars release, ‘Martinique.’ Light and elegant, but with serious depth and flavor. Blended with Aviator-level complexity in mind with a more relaxed delivery. A Connecticut, but one that would satisfy after a serious dinner.
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LIMITED TO ONE CIGAR PER CUSTOMER -
Help St Pierre to create Sylbaris day
This small tourist office in the heart of Saint-Pierre is housed in the Maison de la Bourse, which hosted the first chamber of commerce on the island. It gathers a lot of information, brochures and indications to visit the city of Art and History, and the surroundings. It also offers thematic tours of the city, organized by reservation and in small groups. As the ruins are not signposted, we advise you to have them pointed out to you, it would be a shame to miss them! A great source of information about Saint-Pierre.
