The Rum of St Nicholas Abbey - Barbados

Did you know Barbados is considered to be the birth place of Rum. In 1703 a well known brand called Mount Gay set up their distilling business on the far end of the island and produced a rum we know and still love today. Mount Gay is an exquisite tasting rum and due to marketing and huge investment remans to be the islands leading brand. However there are three other distilleries on the island. St Nicholas Abbey is one of them that you can go and visit.

High up in the hills

Most people who visit Barbados haven't heard of St Nicholas Abbey. Although that is changing with social media and also the steam train they recently put in place (It used to be there as a transportation and they are restoring it, quite successfully.)

St Nicholas Abbey is in Saint Peter (not too far from the Barbados wild life reserve). On top of a hill (cherry tree) that looks over the rugged East Coast. The main house is a beautifully preserved Jacobean Plantation house built in 1658 and is surrounded by sugarcane plants. It now operates as a museum and rum distillery by the Warren family who lovingly have restored it and now run quite a marvellous business that is totally worth the visit.

Booking in advance is reccomended

Rum beginnings. 

On the other side of the Island is a huge distillery called Foursquare that produces endless barrels of rum (it's quite the site). This is run by the rum legend Richard Seale. He is doing really special things to innovate and grow not just his own brand but rum around the world. It was Richard who initially helped set up and produce the first batches of St Nicholas Abbeys rums, so they set off extremely well and continue to do so.

Rum is made from the press of sugarcane juice or the molasses. In St Nicholas abbeys case they have made a sugar cane syrup which I would guess is like a hybrid of both to make theirs.

St Nicholas Abbey rum is very hands on as you will see on the tour. They do it all on site. From cutting the sugarcane, crushing it, distilling, barrel ageing, bottle filling and hand labelling.

The Tasting room.

Usually held at the end of the tour by one of the Warrens themselves (Simon is the main man). This is really where you fall in love with the story and the quality of the rum they produce. They used no added sugar (to the rum) and all flavour comes from the craft of distilling and the tropical heat of barrel aging. It is said that a rum ageing in the Caribbean ages 3 times faster then Whisky ageing in Scotland so if this is accurate a 10 year old aged rum is the equivalent to a 30 year old aged whisky!

I have been truly lucky in my career and have had the opportunity to travel to many different distilleries around the world. From Scottish Whisky, to Tequila in Guadalajara and even Bourbon in Kentucky USA. I even have visited many Rum distilleries in the Caribbean. However, I do have a special bond with rum and its place on the shelf or speed rail (used only for cocktails). St Nicholas Abbey, is premium and belongs on the top shelf, but should also be used and not just admired in the bottle.

Booking in advance here | This is a popular attraction

TASTING RUM

When tasting, have a bottle of water to hand in between rum sips to clean your palate for the next product.

My advice: I always like to test the quality of the white rum first and sometimes go back to it. All rum once distilled begins as a white rum, it is here where you can find your base notes. Move on up the levels of aging. The professional or even better the master distiller (usually hosting the tasting will lead the experience in order but take a personal approach to noticing what barrel aging does to the once white rum - It is fascinating. Glassware is equally important and again the tasting guide will usually present the recommend glass to taste. Personally, I find I like to taste spirits in a champagne flute, but always open to learn about what the distillery use

Lastly, enjoy it, don't down it like a shot, more isn't better.

Would love to hear your reviews about this particular rum, please do share.

My advice when you are home is:

Try making a classic Daiquiri: Rum, Lime, Sugar. Make it with different white rums and taste the difference. Use The Diffords recipe here - DAIQUIRI RECIPE

I love this rum, it's premium, top shelf quality that you won't find it in the shops so make sure you buy a bottle when you are there. If you ask nicely they will even hand engrave it for you