The Sister Islands are Home to An Eclectic Collection of Rums
While not well known, the island of Saint Kitts may be home to one of the original Rum Distilleries in the Caribbean. The Wingfield Estate Sugar Plantation was in operation producing rum as far back as the mid to late 1600s. Unfortunately no more, although you can take a tour of the grounds/ruins – The place just oozes with the history of the islands.
The predominant brand of rum in St. Kitts is Belmont Estate. The rums are named after the famed 18th century St. Kitts plantation, although they are now distilled in Guyana by Demerara Distillers Ltd (DDL). Belmont Estate produces White, Golden, Caribbean Coconut (white) and Golden Coconut rums, the latter a 4-year-old naturally flavoured rum apparently developed by Dr. Ian Sangster, of Jamaica Rum Cream acclaim. Not surprisingly, this rum has a very sweet, heavy coconut flavour.
For something uniquely Kittian, the drink of choice on the Sister Islands is called a Ting ‘n Sting. Basically, a blend of Ting, a grapefruit flavoured soda/pop made by the Carib Brewing company, and CSR white rum. The drink has a very original flavour – Somehow, it almost tastes like a gin and tonic. CSR, formerly Cane Spirit Rothschild was distilled in St. Kitts, however the rum is now also distilled by DDL in Guyana, with the ‘R’ standing for Ritchmont.
A popular line of rums from St. Kitts is Brinley Gold Shipwreck Rum which comes in Spiced (Aged 4 yrs), White Reserve, along with flavoured rums including Vanilla, Coffee, Mango, Lime and Coconut. A Coconut Cream liqueur is also available. These rums also originate from DDL, although they are blended and bottled in St. Kitts by the St. Kitts Rum Company.
A relative newcomer to the St. Kitts rum scene is the Old Road Rum Company. While they strive to bring rum production back to St. Kitts, they currently produce Old Road Rum, a top-shelf rum likely distilled in Barbados.
Meanwhile, over in Nevis, the Clifton Estate Rum Company is producing Clifton Estate Spiced Rum. Starting with a 2-year-old dark rum sourced in Antigua, this rum is “blended & bottled” in Nevis with a secret recipe of oranges, honey and natural spices – Very tasty and surprisingly smooth! They also produce a line of rums ideal for cocktails and rum punch called Moko Jumbie – Available in Gold and Silva. Their Moko Jumbie Gold rum is also used as the base for another Clifton Estate original – Lemongrass & Ginger “Tropical Punch”. For a unique Nevis rum experience, they offer a tour where you can fill your own bottle of rum, complete with a “personalized” engraved bottle.
For a colourful review of the Clifton Estate Rum Company, check out our Bottle Your Own Rum in Nevis blog post.
Looking for some rum during your trip to St. Kitts and Nevis? Check out L & L Rumshop‘s large selection of rums from all over the world in Charlestown (Nevis), or take one of the following tours in St. Kitts and Nevis:
- Fairview Rum Tour – Basseterre Sight-seeing plus Fairview Great House & Botanical Garden and Rum Tasting
Annie’s Caribbean Tours and Excursions
- Ultimate Rum Runner’s Tour – Basseterre and Timothy Hill Sightseeing plus 5 Rum / Bar Stops
- A Nevis Rum Tasting Experience (Clifton Estate Rum Company)
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