January 13, 2025 – Saint Lucia’s distinctive rum distillery, St. Lucia Distillers, is proud to announce that it has formally been granted a Protected Geographical Indication (GI) for its fantastic rums (Admiral Rodney, Chairman’s Reserve, Bounty, and Denros), recognizing them because the benchmark for rums produced in Saint Lucia and celebrating their deep connection to the island’s historical past and heritage. Since final November, this prestigious standing ensures that each bottle of Saint Lucia Rum is crafted to the very best requirements, solely on Saint Lucian soil.
At St. Lucia Distillers, water for fermentation in rum-making is obtained from the Roseau River, the place it’s filtered however nonetheless retains its naturally excessive mineral content material. Yeast loves the minerals which can be naturally current on this water and this helps to develop favorable congeneric profiles. Rainwater can also be harvested, filtered and used to scale back the alcohol power (ABV) of Saint Lucia rum earlier than it begins its ageing course of in casks. As a consequence of its decrease mineral content material, rainwater is used for mixing Saint Lucia Rum. Rainwater is harvested off the power roofs and handled at a reverse osmosis plant. Roughly 3.5 mil US gallons/13 mil liters of water a yr is harvested.
Saint Lucia’s distinctive historical past of fourteen-time alternate French and British rule has left an indelible mark on the island’s rum-making traditions. Saint Lucia rum embodies this legacy by combining the experience of each cultures in fermentation, distillation and ageing. The result’s a harmonious mix of French finesse and English precision, delivered to life by way of the cautious use of pot and column stills and perfected in our meticulous mixing course of.
“Our Geographical Indication represents not only a mark of high quality, however a testomony to the craft and fervour of Saint Lucian rum-making,” says Margaret Monplaisir, CEO of St. Lucia Distillers and Chairwoman of West Indies Rum & Spirits Producer’s Affiliation (WIRSPA). “It displays our dedication to preserving the island’s wealthy heritage whereas setting new requirements for rum globally.”
The distinctive terroir of Saint Lucia—its fertile volcanic soil, tropical local weather, and pristine rainwater— imparts a definite character to Saint Lucia Rum. On the nostril, it provides sweetness and tropical fruit flavors like honey, raisins, and bananas, whereas the palate reveals heat spices and a delicate salty notice harking back to the island’s sea breeze. This refined complexity is the results of generations of expertise and dedication to excellence.
St. Lucia Distillers is Saint Lucia’s solely distillery, established in 1972 from the merger of the 2 final distilleries of the island. Situated within the Roseau Valley, one mile away from the Caribbean Sea, the Roseau River and excessive rainfall present ideally suited assets and situations for rum fermentation, mixing, and ageing. The distillery produces three internationally distributed rum manufacturers: Admiral Rodney, Chairman’s Reserve and Bounty.
