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Sure, life is always all ups and downs, but this week's roller coaster was anything but business as usual.

History and all-things-rhum – few places do it better than Distillerie Depaz.

The Rhum J Bally Rhum Vieux I enjoyed in the shadow of Mt. Pelée a few years ago has always stood out to me as a singular sipping experience.

For those who like their rhum dark and neat, with an occasional ice cube or two, there's only one correct order in Martinique: rhum vieux. My favorite: Rhum JM.

Dark, smoky, seductively aromatic and complex, La Flibuste is the very embodiment of both the brand and the word "Favorite" to me.

In a true rhum paradise like Martinique, Le Kano stands out for offering the widest selection of fine rhums I've ever seen anywhere.

It's easy to work up a thirst in the Pointe du Bout section of Trois-Ilets, Martinique. When you do, definitely duck into Le Bistrot and ask for Eric.

No rhum better exemplifies the inherent dynamism of Martinique than HSE. Their latest: a smoky, macho character with American gusto named Black Sheriff.