In 2000, Bernard and his father, Robert, embarked on a mission to master the art of rum production after ordering a book on home distillation. Their fascination with rum-making was deeply rooted in family tradition, with Bernard's grandfather, René Michel d’Offay, having instilled in them a passion for the craft through his own experiments with Rum Arrangé, a local Creole specialty. Drawing inspiration from the sailors' practice of preserving fruits and spices in alcohol, Rum Arrangé involved macerating a variety of ingredients for months, resulting in a flavourful digestive or sweetened treat.
Despite facing challenges such as limited access to conventional distillation equipment, Bernard and Robert improvised by using their backyard swimming pool as a makeshift condenser and sourcing yeast and sugar from their local supermarket. Their experimentation eventually led to the establishment of Trois Frères Distillery in Seychelles in February 2002, with Richard, Bernard's older brother, joining the venture. Despite encountering setbacks and producing both questionable and remarkable trial rums, they persevered, eventually delivering their first order of Takamaka dark rum. Over the years, their journey has been marked by curiosity, community involvement, and the unique challenges posed by the remote Seychelles location, all of which have influenced their blending and aging processes and shaped their identities as individuals and rum makers.