Antigua and Barbuda / Rum

Like most of the Caribbean islands with a history of sugar -production, Antigua has a long tradition of rum distillation. In the early years every estate, and even every rum shop, had their own pot still with which they distilled their own rum. But in the early 20th Century, as the industry changed, a number of interested parties got together and created the Antigua Distillery, which sells products under the brand Cavalier Rum. They have a number of different rums, some young and “white”, others aged and more mellow, which are graded either by a number of years or by colour. Several of its rums have won awards over the years. Besides Cavalier, labels include the very successful English Harbour label.

For something unique there is Bolans Best Matured Rum which is bottled and sold by John “Bushy” Angelo Barreto who runs the post office/general store/gas pumps in Bolans Village (near Jolly Harbour). John buys overproof rum from the Antigua Distillery and blends it in old oak casks. He produces both white and dark rums, but his best- known label is the Best Matured Rum. You can sample before buying.

And for a bit of fun you could try the restaurant Papa Zouk, which has an excellent selection of rums, around 170 of them from all over the Caribbean. The restaurant is good to visit anyway and you can finish with a rum tasting.

Contributor: Deana Bellamy