Rhum Fest Paris Adds Agave Spirits

The Rhum Fest Paris returned to the Parc Floral this weekend for its 2026 edition, bringing together more than 100 brands and distilleries in a format that organizers said was designed to be easier to navigate and more focused on education. The three-day event, which runs through Monday, has become one of the main trade and consumer gatherings for rum in France, but this year it is also widening its scope to include agave spirits such as tequila, mezcal, raicilla and cocuy.

That expansion reflects a broader shift in the spirits market, where producers and drinkers are increasingly looking at how cane-based and agave-based drinks overlap in technique, geography and identity. Alongside established Caribbean names including Clément, HSE, Saint James and La Favorite, the fair is also featuring producers from Latin America and distilleries from places that have only recently gained visibility in the rum world, including Vietnam and Cape Verde. Organizers said the goal is not simply to increase the number of exhibitors, but to show how the category has diversified.

More than 500 references are being presented at the fair, making tasting only part of the experience. This year’s program puts more emphasis on explanation and comparison, with guided tasting routes and digital tools meant to help visitors sort styles, origins and production methods. Master classes are being held at the Pavillon des Chênes and cover topics that have become central to the industry, including fermentation, aging, regulation and the role of terroir. More than 20 sessions are scheduled, along with panel discussions on current issues facing producers.

The VIP area has also been expanded and reorganized around themed bars and smaller lounge spaces. It is aimed at visitors looking for rare bottlings, older releases and direct contact with producers. The change fits a larger trend in spirits fairs toward more specialized access rather than simple volume.

The festival now extends beyond the Parc Floral through what organizers call Rhum Week, which runs from April 14 to April 20 across Paris. Bars, wine shops and specialty venues are hosting tastings, launches and meetings tied to the fair. At the same time, the main event has been slightly scaled back in size to improve traffic flow and make conversations easier between exhibitors and visitors.

The public can attend Saturday from noon to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6:30 p.m., while Monday is reserved for professionals from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission starts at €65, with VIP tickets starting at €115.