Grenada & Carriacou / Rum

Like most Caribbean islands, Grenada has a history of sugar and rum production, but where many islands have gradually lost their distilleries, Grenada still has some working ones.

Clarke’s Court produces a white rum, a “red” (dark) rum, some aged rums and a range of award-winning lighter rums for export. There is a welcome centre at the factory in Woodland which is currently open for tasting and the purchase of products. The sugar factory buildings themselves are under repair and not open to visitors.

The Westerhall Rum Distillery is a factory for blending rums and producing ice. It is open for tours, tastings and purchases, but a planned rum museum has been put on hold.

At the River Antoine Rum Distillery, rum is produced from fresh cane juice by a water-powered mill near Lake Antoine, close to the Belmont Estate in the north of the island. A visit makes a good day outing and is often included in day tours. The rum is made according to traditional methods, and is overproof. Amazingly airlines are refusing to carry it so you’ll have to drink it on island.

Even stronger is Jack Iron, a bootleg rum which is distilled in Trinidad. However, it is so strong that it is illegal there, but is quite popular in Carriacou. More alarmingly it also defies some of the normal rules of nature - ice sinks in Jack Iron.