January 13, 2025 – Saint Lucia’s unique rum distillery, St. Lucia Distillers, is proud to announce that it has officially been granted a Protected Geographical Indication (GI) for its fine rums (Admiral Rodney, Chairman’s Reserve, Bounty, and Denros), recognizing them as the benchmark for rums produced in Saint Lucia and celebrating their deep connection to the island’s history and heritage. Since last November, this prestigious status guarantees that every bottle of Saint Lucia Rum is crafted to the highest standards, exclusively on Saint Lucian soil.
At St. Lucia Distillers, water for fermentation in rum-making is obtained from the Roseau River, where it is filtered but still retains its naturally high mineral content. Yeast loves the minerals that are naturally present in this water and this helps to develop favorable congeneric profiles. Rainwater is also harvested, filtered and used to reduce the alcohol strength (ABV) of Saint Lucia rum before it begins its aging process in casks. Due to its lower mineral content, rainwater is used for blending Saint Lucia Rum. Rainwater is harvested off the facility roofs and treated at a reverse osmosis plant. Approximately 3.5 mil US gallons/13 mil liters of water a year is harvested.
Saint Lucia’s unique history 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 expertise of both cultures in fermentation, distillation and aging. The result is a harmonious blend of French finesse and English precision, brought to life through the careful use of pot and column stills and perfected in our meticulous blending process.
“Our Geographical Indication represents not just a mark of quality, but a testament to the craft and passion of Saint Lucian rum-making,” says Margaret Monplaisir, CEO of St. Lucia Distillers and Chairwoman of West Indies Rum & Spirits Producer’s Association (WIRSPA). “It reflects our commitment to preserving the island’s rich heritage while setting new standards for rum globally.”
The unique terroir of Saint Lucia—its fertile volcanic soil, tropical climate, and pristine rainwater— imparts a distinct character to Saint Lucia Rum. On the nose, it offers sweetness and tropical fruit flavors like honey, raisins, and bananas, while the palate reveals warm spices and a subtle salty note reminiscent of the island’s sea breeze. This refined complexity is the result of generations of craftsmanship and dedication to excellence.
St. Lucia Distillers is Saint Lucia’s only distillery, established in 1972 from the merger of the two last distilleries of the island. Located in the Roseau Valley, one mile away from the Caribbean Sea, the Roseau River and high rainfall provide ideal resources and conditions for rum fermentation, blending, and aging. The distillery produces three internationally distributed rum brands: Admiral Rodney, Chairman’s Reserve and Bounty.
