The "Ma Doudou" Story

It was an ordinary day. We had just finished our evening meal at Le Piment in St. Martin and were having our glass of flavored rum. We had been receiving a complimentary rum after dinner at most restaurants for many years now and found it to be fantastic. At least I did. My wife usually passes her drink to me after my glass is empty. Back then we inquired as to what kind of rum it was and where it was made. We found out it was made right there on the island. Had to buy some to take home with us. Well, we found it at Tap 5. A store right near where we were staying. Came in various sized bottles which were hand painted with beach scenes and lettered St. Martin. It was made on the French side of the island in the Cul de Sac area. Now, if we could only find the store. Two years ago we made our first trip to the MaDoudou Store. Not what we expected. It was a shack or maybe you could call it a cottage. MaDoudou was founded by Corrine Bugalaire. They perfected the process of combining natural fruit and spices with white rum which comes from the Dominican Republic. They mix each bottle and place it in the sun for "curing." Ma Doudou produces over a dozen flavors, but the six flavors that are their big sellers seem to be Banana, Coconut, Ginger, Lime, Shrubb(Orange) and Vanille. The cottage is set back off the road in a small wooded area and has parking for maybe two cars. You can't miss it because it is a bright pink color with lime green double doors and has a metal corrugated roof. Truly Caribbean looking. Behind the cottage is another small house where they do the blending and paint the bottles. We love to buy the bottles to bring back to give for souvenirs. I use them to fill with small shells, sand or colored water. Naturally, the bottles must be emptied in order to refill them. And who do you think volunteers to empty them of their flavored rum? It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - top pix is Ma Doudou "factory", middle is sampling of bottles and bottom is owner writing up our purchase of 4 bottles of rum and 1 bottle of vanilla extract.