THE SPIRIT OF ST VINCENT

By Rebecca Lawson

Molasses, aged oak, volcanic water, cane sugar - all the ingredients of the perfect rum can be found or grown on St Vincent, so it’s no wonder SVDL’s products are so well received.

Sun-drenched tropical islands, romantic sloop sailing vessels, a ruthless mutiny and a crew of disgruntled sailors - all the elements of a great tale are there. Combine these with thick dark molasses, aged oak and volcanic foothills and you’ve got a swashbuckling adventure story bursting with treachery and romance. Of course, no pirate tale is complete without a pure, top-quality rum, and you’ll find lots of those at the family-run St Vincent Distillery (SVDL), the only distillery on the Caribbean islands of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Captain Bligh XO is the signature drop produced at the distillery. Inspired by the famous 18th-century tale of mutiny and desertion on British ship HMS Bounty, this unique rum more than lives up to its remarkable namesake. Smooth base notes of caramel and vanilla are lifted by hints of sun-warmed oak and the lingering juicy tang of tropical fruits - in other words, one sip and a buccaneering adventure dances over your taste buds - there’s nothing more Caribbean than that!

But Captain Bligh XO is not the only star on the shelves at St Vincent Distillery. The historic distillery produces a range of rums, from aged golden and dark rums to white and the exceptional overproof - Sunset, all of which have taken home a variety of gongs, including the World’s Best Rum multiple times and a swathe of Gold Medals from both International and Caribbean award ceremonies.

Sunset Very Strong (the overproof) is a delicious white rum produced by SVDL with overtones of marzipan, coconut and pineapple - just what you’d expect from a Caribbean island - but be warned, when they say very strong, they mean very strong - Sunset boasts an ABV of 84.5% making it the strongest legally-produced rum in the world - now that’s enough to keep even Bligh’s mutineers happy!

So how does one drink rum that strong? The same way the locals do, of course! Sip it neat with an iced coconut water chaser or enjoy it in the finest cocktails mixed throughout islands like Mustique, Bequia, Petit St Vincent and Palm Island. The results are surprisingly easy to drink and incredibly refreshing, so approach with responsible restraint!

Enjoyed by A-listers, royalty, connoisseurs and island visitors alike, the rums produced at SVDL are distilled using the traditional two-column still method. This means the end products contain none of the impurities or additional flavours that often soak through pot-still rum. As part of the truerum. com family, SVDL’s products carry the ACR Marque - Authentic Caribbean Rum - making them the rum equivalent of a fine single malt whisky. There are no syrups, colourings or gimmicks here - just pure, authentic rum produced using the traditional time-tested craftsmanship of the Caribbean.

Molasses, aged oak, volcanic water - all the ingredients of a perfect rum can be found or grown on St Vincent, so it’s no wonder SVDL’s products are so well received. Distilled in the lush foothills of the La Soufriere, an active volcano on the island, the spirits are crafted with volcanic spring mineral water and aged in smoky oak casks that leave the dark rums with their honey colour and mellow finish.

But beyond images of pirates, treasure and

Captain Sparrow, rum holds significant financial importance for St Vincent and the Grenadines. The popularity and unique flavour of the St Vincent rum attract tourists and connoisseurs alike, helping to support the local economy, provide employment opportunities and contribute to the overall growth and development of the local communities.

Rum’s immersion in the local culture runs deep. Dating back centuries, production of the spirit can be traced to the sugar cane plantations established in the colonial era. The process of turning molasses (a byproduct of sugar refining) into rum quickly took hold. Gradually, the techniques and recipes used in Caribbean rum-making have been handed down through generations, resulting in a rich heritage of craftsmanship, expertise and a tropical flavour unique to the region. The islands boast a diverse range of rum styles, each with its own characteristics. They showcase the vibrant cultural fusion that the Caribbean is famous for and are a testament to the resourcefulness and creativity of the Caribbean people.

SVDL’s products retail online at Master of Malt, Limin Casks, VIP Bottles, Ministry of Drinks, Amazon and more. But who better to enjoy the drink of the islands than other islanders? The Isle of Wight may not have the same swashbuckling heritage as St Vincent but we’ve got our smugglers and we know a thing or two about island living. It’s no surprise, then, that palates the Isle of Wight over are appreciating the unique, mellow flavours of the SVDL rums in bars and restaurants across the island - maybe it’s all that salty beach air.

UK and European Distribution: sunsetrum.co.uk

Contact: info@sunsetrum.co.uk | 07850912177