Barbados The cradle of the world's oldest distilled spirit

A trip to Barbados cannot be complete without learning the story of and sampling the country's most celebrated export- rum! Connoisseurs have it that it is the world's oldest distilled spirit.

Whether it is a matter of fact or not, rum is certainly the oldest spirit produced in Barbados. Well-known for its appreciation of liquid gold, Barbados is one of the premier and oldest rum producers on the globe with the first spirits being produced at Mount Gay Distilleries more than 300 years ago.

The cultural significance of fermented spirits around the globe cannot be overstated, from the deep must of red and black fermented grapes in the vineyards of France, the strong, hard and palate-cleansing whiskeys and bourbons of the confederate south to the festive, flavourful sugar-infused rums of the Caribbean.

In this article, we'll explore the history of rum as well as learn about Barbados' time-honoured rum distilleries that have been producing this celebrated spirit down the generations.

What's so special about Barbados? 

Rum making is an art honed by the Barbadians down the centuries. While other alcoholic beverages are made of distilled grain or starch, rum is made of sugar. This base ingredient gives rum its distinct status and taste.

Thanks to the place's moderate climate, round-the-year sunshine and typically high alkaline content of soil, Barbados has a fair claim as the world's sweetest and tastiest sugarcane producer. Quite naturally, the country produces the best quality rum.

A peek into the past