Rum and sugar

Rum and sugar Sweet taste of success

Sugar and rum have been among the staple industries of Barbados for a very long time. Historically, these two products were the very backbone of the island’s economy and they continue to be vital exports for Barbados.

Sugar in Barbados

The sugar cane industry began in Barbados in the 17th century with the arrival of the first British settlers, who developed the island into one of the biggest sugar exporting countries in the world. As the sugar trade boomed, the island was divided into large estates, each with its own African slave workers providing harvest labour to the ‘elite’ plantation owners. This situation continued well into the 19th century. Eventually, however, a series of slave rebellions led to the abolition of slavery and the emancipation of slaves in Barbados and throughout the British Empire in 1834. At one time, Barbados had more than 10 sugar mills; but the cost of production, together with a drop in the market price, forced the closure of most of these, leaving the island with only two active sugar mills.

Although Barbados has scaled back its sugar production in recent years, it continues to be a solid commercial enterprise for the island, which is still counted among the world’s best sugar producers.

Birthplace of rum

Rum developed into a very successful commercial endeavour for Barbados as an extension of the sugar cane industry. The spirit is made from the by-products of sugarcane – primarily molasses and cane juice – and Barbados produces some of the best quality rums in the world.

In fact, Barbados is often described as the birthplace of rum. It is widely accepted that Barbadian slaves in the 17th century discovered that sugar cane by-products could be fermented into alcohol.

Mount Gay Rum is acknowledged to be the oldest brand of rum in existence. Dating back 300 years, it is still made in Barbados and exported to over 100 countries.

Barbados is famous for its so-called rum shops – small local stores selling everything from basic groceries to hot lunches and, of course, rum. They are a popular meeting place for local people to play dominoes, watch sport and catch up on the day’s events over a couple of drinks. There are over 1,000 of these Bajan outlets across the island. For an authentic Barbadian experience, they are well worth a visit.

Rum tours

The Mount Gay Rum Tour is one of the island’s most popular tourist experiences. Visitors can tour the distillery and sample this famous local spirit while learning all about its production and history.

There are opportunities, too, for tours of the West Indies Rum Distillery, known for its Cockspur and Malibu rums, as well as the Foursquare Rum Factory and Heritage Park and the smaller private rum distillery of St Nicholas Abbey.