Rum is the official spirit of Saint Lucia, and to experience its famous brands, we visited St. Lucia Distillers, Group, Ltd. the only distillery on the island, where we took a very interesting and educational tour to learn more about their extensive selection of exceptional rums, which include Admiral Rodney, Bounty Rum “The Spirit of Saint Lucia,” Chairman’s Reserve Rum, and Denros Strong Rum, followed by tasting several of their delectable products. Cheers, it’s cocktail time!
We love learning about spirits, so when our travels took us to the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, we wanted to visit their distillery. On Friday, September 11, 2026, we met with Lennox Wilson, Production Manager, who took us on a very educational tour. It is interesting to note that the history of St. Lucia rums began in the mid-1880s by the Bernard family. At age 21, third-generation Denis Barnard took over his father’s sugar plantation and established the Dennery Distillery. In 1999, Denis’ son, Laurie Barnard founded Chairman’s Reserve setting a new standard for rum and the art of blending. Today, St. Lucia Distillers is run by GBH, a family-owned group (Hayot family). St. Lucia’s only distillery was founded in 1972 through the merging of the last two remaining distilleries. It is located in the Roseau Valley, one mile from the Caribbean Sea.
Edward F. Nesta & Lennox Wilson touring the Cellar
One of the many interesting facts we learned during the tour is that they make the majority of their rums from high-grade molasses imported twice per year from the Caribbean or South America, which arrives on a boat. The molasses is then sampled and tested to check its quality, brix, and other factors, and if it is acceptable, the molasses is pumped directly to their tanks.
Debra inspecting the sugar cane
Less than one percent of their rum is made with sugar cane juice. St. Lucia has a geographical indication (like Cognac in France), and the sugar cane used must be grown on the island. Both Chairman’s Reserve Legacy and Chairman’s Reserve 1931 are made using both molasses and a small amount of sugar cane juice, from sugar cane grown on their property. Two types of yeast are used in the fermentation process depending on the flavor and profile that they want to create.
Sugar Cane Pressing
With an eye on sustainability and green practices, the distillery uses rainwater collected from the rooftop year-round and refined using reverse osmosis, and waste oil from the cruise ships to create the steam necessary to run their distilling process. After the sugar cane is crushed to extract the juice, the baggage (crushed cane) is used as mulch.
Each step of the process is carefully overseen from the fermentation, distillation, and blending process. The distillery uses Vendôme pot stills, John Dore 1 and John Dore 2 pot stills, and Coffey column stills, and it is interesting to note that Admiral Rum is made using 100% pot stilled, Chairman’s Reserve uses both pot and column stills, and Bounty Dark uses both as well.
Fermenting Molasses
Molasses and Sugarcane Processes
The Molasses process starts molasses, Roseau River water, and yeast that is fermented between 36-42 hours to obtain a fermented molasses wash of 6% to 7.5% alcohol by volume. The Sugarcane juice process starts with sugarcane juice, Roseau River water, and yeast that is fermented for 72 hours to obtain a fermented sugarcane juice of 7% to 9.5% alcohol by volume.
John Dore 2 Pot Still
Distillation
The next step is the distillation process in the John Dore 1 Pot Still commissioned in 1998 and holds 450 liters of sugarcane and molasses distillates. The John Dore 2 Pot Still commissioned in 2005 holds 5,000 liters of molasses distillates. The Vendôme Pot Still commissioned in 2002 holds 1,364 liters of sugarcane and molasses distillates, and the Coffey Column Still commissioned in 1985 has 45 plates, for molasses distillates and 3 types of distillates.
Vendôme Pot Still
Aging
Aging is done in a diverse collection of barrels including Ex-Bourbon, Ex-Port, American Oak, Ex-Brandy, French Oak, Ex-Red & White Wines, Ex-Calvados, and Ex-Sherry, which provide layers of flavors that will be present in their rums. For example, Ex-Bourbon barrels will provide vanilla notes, Ex-Port barrels will add pear notes, American Oak will have banana notes, Ex-Brandy barrels will have cherry notes, French Oak has chocolate notes, Ex-wine barrels will contribute grape notes, Ex-Calvados barrels will add apple notes, and Ex-Sherry will have raisin notes.
The Art of Blending
It was interesting to compare the blending techniques for 4 of the Chairman’s Reserve rums.
Chairman’s Reserve Rum Original: John Dore 2 Pot Still + Column Still lower & medium plate + Aging 4-5 Years in Ex-Bourbon barrels.
Chairman’s Reserve Rum Legacy: John Dore 1 Pot Still + John Dore 2 Pot Still + Column Still lower & medium plate + Vendôme Pot Still + Aging 5-6 Years in Ex-Bourbon barrels.
Chairman’s Reserve Rum The Forgotten Casks: John Dore 2 Pot Still + Column Still lower & medium plate + Aging 7-9 Years in Ex-Bourbon barrels.
Chairman’s Reserve Rum 1931: John Dore 1 Pot Still + John Dore 2 Pot Still + Column Still lower & medium plate + Vendôme Pot Still + Aging 6-11 Years in Ex-Port & Ex-Bourbon barrels.
Deny Duplessis, Master Blender
After learning about each of the steps that go into the process of making rum, we met with Deny Duplessis, Master Blender since 2018, and his team of technicians, where we learned about the scientific aspects of the process that go into ensuring the high level of quality for their products.
Lennox Wilson, Naphitali Gaillard, Deny Duplessis, & Debra C. Argen
Their exceptional line of rums includes Admiral Rodney, Bounty Rum “The Spirit of Saint Lucia,” Chairman’s Reserve Finest Saint Lucia Rum, Denros Strong Rum Double Strength an overproof rum used for cocktails, and Marigot Bay Cream Liqueurs: Chocolate Cream, Peanut, Spiced, Banana, and Coconut. They also make three fortified wines: Midnight Ride, Sting Power, and Z Moss.
St. Lucia Distillery Tasting
After Tour Tasting Notes
After spending the morning with Lennox Wilson and Deny Duplessis learning about how they make their rums we continued our education by sampling some of their extensive line of rums at the end of our tour. It was interesting to sample their line of products side by side, including Chairman’s Reserve, which is their most awarded rum. Each of the products we tasted were well-crafted and delicious, offering various flavors and aromas on the nose and the palate, and were designed to be used in cocktails or to be enjoyed as high-end sipping rums.
Barrel Aging
Admiral’s Rum Princess, Ian John Master Distiller, Fine & Mature Saint Lucia Rum, Aged 5-7 Years, Aged in Ex-Bourbon, and Ex-Ruby Port Barrels, 40% alcohol by volume, deep mahogany color, honeyed raisin, vanilla, and chocolate aromas, full-bodied rum with silky finish.
Admiral’s Rum Royal Oak, Ian John Master Distiller, Extra Old Saint Lucia Rum, Aged 6-12 Years, in Ex-Bourbon Barrels, 40% alcohol by volume, amber color, raisin, prune, tropical spices on the nose, caramel and oaky, complex, and a delicious long finish.
Admiral’s Rum Formidable, Ian John, Master Distiller, Rare Saint Lucia Rum, Aged 10-15 Years, Aged in Ex-Bourbon Barrels, 40% alcohol by volume, dark golden color, honeyed raisin, spices, and vanilla aromas, ginger, chocolate, and tobacco notes on the palate for a delectable finish.
Bounty Rum Premium White, 40% alcohol by volume, light and mixable with fresh tropical citrus notes.
Bounty Rum Premium Gold, “Our Island, Our Bounty” 40% alcohol by volume, aged in Bourbon casks, warm butterscotch and dried fruit notes on the nose, raisin, and vanilla on the finish. Great for cocktails.
Bounty Lime Rum Liqueur, 25% alcohol by volume, lime citrus, and floral aromas.
Debra checking out the cellar.
Chairman’s Reserve White, blend of column still and triple distilled pot still unaged and 2-3-year-old matured rums, 40% alcohol, with citrus and raisin notes on the palate.
Chairman’s Reserve Original is a marriage of exquisite rums distilled on Coffey column and pot stills, 40% alcohol, award-winning handcrafted rum from rums selected by the former chairman of St. Lucia Distillers, Laurie Barnard. Spice on the nose, vanilla on the delicious finish.
Chairman’s Reserve The Forgotten Casks inspired by casks discovered after a historic fire at the distillery in 2007. Originally destined for the Chairman’s Reserve Original, when these forgotten casks were found, they created this delicious extra-aged version.
Chairman’s Reserve Formidable, Ian John Master Distiller, Column Still, Coffey Still, Aged 10-15 Years in Ex-Bourbon barrels, 40% alcohol by volume. Dark golden color, raisin, spice and vanilla aromas, ginger, chocolate, and tobacco notes on the palate. Long, memorable finish.
Coffey Column Still
Chairman’s Reserve Vintage 2011, 46.8% alcohol by volume. Vanilla, banana, and toasted oak on the nose, candied fruit, honey, toffee, oak, vanilla, and tobacco on the palate create a memorable finish.
Chairman’s Reserve 50 Extra Old Rum, Years 1973-2023, 50 Years Strong: A Solis Foundation To Build On, 50% alcohol by volume, a milestone that celebrates the 50 years of CARICOM.
Chairman’s Reserve 1931, Evanus Harris Master Blender, made with both molasses and sugar cane.
Denros Strong Rum Double Strength, 80% alcohol by volume, which is used in Rum Punches.
Marigot Bay Caribbean Liqueur Banana Rum Cream, 12.5% alcohol by volume, ripe banana, cream, and rum.
Marigot Bay Caribbean Liqueur Chocolate Coffee Rum Cream, 12.5% alcohol by volume, dark chocolate and espresso and rum. Imagine how fabulous this would be in a coffee or an espresso martini!
What a great selection.
Information about St. Lucia Distillers Group of Companies
“Committed to innovation and quality, St Lucia Distillers Group of Companies is a small rum distillery situated in the scenically beautiful and agriculturally rich valley of Roseau on the Caribbean island of St Lucia. A passionate team of distillers, blenders, engineers, technicians, and administrative staff work together to produce some of the world’s best rums and rum products. St Lucia Distillers Group of Companies products have been recognized at the world’s most exacting competitions, winning numerous accolades and awards. The Company prides itself on its commitment to product development and has an offering of over 25 rums and rum products from premium rums and liqueurs to traditional pouring rums. St Lucia Distillers Group of Companies is HACCP compliant.”
What is Rum
“Rum is the Spirit of St Lucia. It is the connection of a people to its history – a link between hands in the soil from which sugar is grown, to hands in the air as we express ourselves at carnival. St Lucia Distillers Group of Companies captures and bottles that spirit. The process starts using molasses, the by-product of sugar manufacturing, puts it through a heavily controlled and monitored fermentation process, distils and then blends to achieve the right balance and flavours. The rum is then aged, each to the product’s specifications, blended, bottled, and distributed. St Lucia Distillers Group of Companies has maintained a reputation for fine rums and liqueurs that are enjoyed in St Lucia and exported all over the world.”
If you plan on visiting St. Lucia and love rum, a distillery tour should be on your “must visit” list of things to do on the island.
Rhythm of Rum Tour Information
“In the Roseau valley in St Lucia, host to the agricultural community of Jacmel is St Lucia Distillers Group of Companies, producing world class rums and liqueurs in a process that has, like its environment, changed little in a hundred years. Here, guests to the historic, world class distillery can embark on a Rhythm of Rum tour that takes visitors on a journey that illuminates the connection between the production of rum and the historical and cultural heritage of the island. The tour begins with a short video in the reconstructed ship’s hold and explains rum production, its connection to the island and the distillery’s family beginnings. Guests then proceed to the main distillery factory where it becomes clear that the making of rum has its own distinct rhythm and flavour. From the molasses vats holding the dark viscous and aromatic raw material to the open vats where final fermentation takes place, visitors are encouraged to engage all the senses to understand the unique phenomenon that is rum making.”
“Beautiful copper stills dominate the main floor where guests can observe the progressive distilling process with an opportunity to see and smell the spirit at its various stages. But perhaps most intriguing of this process is the casking of the spirit into oak barrels that began their lives in places far flung, in bourbon and port producing districts lending the aging rum both the color and character of their previous contents.”
“St. Lucia rums and liqueurs very much accompany the celebration of spirit and passion that has so characterized the island’s history. The rhythm of rum tour concludes with a Carnival extravaganza. Colorful costumes and the melodic sounds of steel pan envelope visitors in the Carnival interpretation centre.”
“The tour ends at a veritable rum buffet where visitors can sample the impressive range and find the rum or rums, which best fit the individual palate. Whether it is a premium sipping rum, a crème liqueur or an invigorating spice rum, the Rhythm of Rum boutique stocks and sells your favorite St Lucia Distillers Group of Companies product.”
Distillery Tour Information: The “Rhythm of Rum” tour is open for pre-booked groups (minimum 14 persons) 7 days a week and individual visitors 5 days a week (Monday to Fridays, except public holidays). A complete guided tour will take about an hour to complete. The first tour is scheduled to commence at 9.00 a.m. and the last at 3.00 p.m.
There is wheelchair access to all sections of the tour however motorized/electrical wheelchairs are not permitted in the distillery property. Clients are offered the opportunity to purchase our products on site at our “Rhum Shoppe” at factory prices.
Tour Ages: Everyone can tour, however only Adults ages 18 and older may taste.
Tour Pricing: Adult Tour: $12 USD/$31.20 XCD (East Caribbean Dollar), Child Tour (12-15 years): $8 USD/$20.80 XCD, Children older than 15: $12 USD/$31.20, Adult Tasting Only: $6 USD/$15.60 XCD
They also offer Group Rates for 15 or more.
Interested in booking a tour? Tours are offered Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm, and from 1:30pm until 3:00 pm. To book your tour, please call +1-758-456-3100
Please visit their website for more information on St. Lucia Distillers, their line of products, as well as complete pricing: https://www.stluciadistillers.com/visit-us
Not planning to be on the island of St. Lucia in the near future? No worries, SPIRIBAM, located in Miami, Florida imports these delicious rums to the United States.
Until next time, cheers, it’s cocktail time!
St. Lucia Distillers
XX3G+G2G, Roseau
Saint Lucia
Telephone: +1-758-456-3100
Website: https://www.stluciadistillers.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiribam/ @spiribam
SPIRIBAM Fine Spirits Family
Miami, Florida
United States
Website: https://spiribam.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiribam/ @spiribam
Read more feature stories in Luxury Experience on St. Lucia in the Destinations, Hotels and Resorts, Spas, and Adventures sections.
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