Barbados

Barbados, the easternmost jewel of the Caribbean, is more than a tropical escape. Renowned for pristine beaches, elegant colonial architecture, vibrant festivals like Crop Over, and a rich cultural tapestry, the island also holds global acclaim as the birthplace of rum—its distilling traditions stretching back over 350 years.

The story of rum in Barbados begins in the 17th century, when a rustic molasses spirit known as “Kill-Devil” was first produced. As production methods evolved, Barbadian rum gained sophistication and global prestige. The earliest recorded use of the word “rum” dates to a 1650 plantation contract on the island. Today, legendary distilleries like Mount Gay—established in 1703 and recognized as the world’s oldest continuously operating rum distillery—anchor the island’s heritage. Renowned producers such as St. Nicholas Abbey, Foursquare Rum Factory, and West Indies Rum Distillery further enrich Barbados’s global reputation for excellence.

Visitors can immerse themselves in this storied legacy through guided tours, tastings, and historic sites. The Mount Gay Visitor Centre offers an in-depth look at centuries-old distillation grounds, while St. Nicholas Abbey combines distillery tours with a heritage railway experience. Whether savoring rum on sun-drenched beaches, journeying through plantation history, or tracing the origins of the world’s most celebrated spirit, Barbados invites you to discover where rum heritage and island allure meet.