Saint Lucia Distillers distillery

Introduction to Saint Lucia Distillers

A distillery with passion for craft

Saint Lucia Distillers is a Caribbean gem nestled in the lush Roseau Valley of Saint Lucia, where tropical climate and rich tradition unite to create exceptional rum. The distillery stands as a proud guardian of Saint Lucia’s rum heritage, producing spirits that capture the essence of this beautiful island nation.

Set against the backdrop of verdant rainforests and volcanic mountains, Saint Lucia Distillers combines the island’s natural bounty with masterful distillation techniques to create rums of remarkable character and depth.

Why we have a soft spot for Saint Lucia Distillers

At Vault of Spirits, we admire distilleries that maintain authenticity while pushing boundaries, and Saint Lucia Distillers exemplifies this perfectly. Their commitment to preserving traditional pot still distillation alongside more modern techniques creates a diverse portfolio of rums with distinctive personality.

What truly sets them apart is their dedication to showcasing the terroir of Saint Lucia through their spirits—utilizing local sugarcane derivatives and embracing the tropical aging conditions that impart unique characteristics impossible to replicate elsewhere.

The Story Behind Saint Lucia Distillers

Origin and development

Saint Lucia Distillers’ history reflects the island’s rich and complex past. The distillery’s origins can be traced to the Barnard family’s Mabouya Valley Distillery established in the 1950s, and the 19th-century Geest family’s Roseau distillery.

These two operations merged in 1972 to form what is now Saint Lucia Distillers Group. The consolidation preserved centuries-old rum-making traditions while creating a foundation for innovation that continues to this day.

Through changing ownership and economic challenges, the distillery has remained committed to quality and authenticity, becoming the sole remaining rum producer on the island and an ambassador for Saint Lucian culture worldwide.

The people behind

Today, the distillery operates under the careful guidance of a team of dedicated professionals who balance respect for tradition with a spirit of innovation. Master distillers and blenders with decades of experience work alongside a new generation of rum enthusiasts.

This fusion of experience and fresh perspective ensures that each bottle that leaves the distillery reflects both Saint Lucia’s rich rum heritage and its exciting future in the world of premium spirits.

The Craft and Production

From raw material to finished product

While many Caribbean distilleries have moved exclusively to molasses, Saint Lucia Distillers maintains flexibility by working with both molasses and sugarcane juice, depending on the desired style and expression.

What truly distinguishes their production is the remarkable variety of stills employed: Coffey column stills for lighter profiles, John Dore pot stills for heavier, more flavorful distillates, and a unique hybrid Vendome still that creates spirits with an exceptional balance of character and refinement.

This diverse distillation capability allows them to create a remarkable spectrum of rum styles—from light and elegant to rich and robust—all under one roof.

Maturation and aging

The tropical climate of Saint Lucia accelerates the aging process, with the heat and humidity fostering intense interaction between the spirit and the wood. This “tropical aging” can achieve in 5-8 years what might take 15-20 years in cooler European conditions.

The distillery utilizes a variety of cask types, including ex-bourbon barrels, port pipes, and sherry butts, to create complex flavor profiles. Their commitment to transparency means many releases provide detailed information about distillation methods, still types, and aging regimens.

The “angel’s share”—evaporation during aging—can reach up to 8-10% annually in Saint Lucia’s climate, making these aged expressions particularly precious.

Selected Products from Saint Lucia Distillers

Chairman’s Reserve – An introduction to the house style

Chairman’s Reserve stands as the flagship offering, blending both pot and column still rums aged in ex-bourbon barrels. This approachable yet characterful rum offers notes of ripe tropical fruit, vanilla, spice, and subtle oak.

With its balanced profile and exceptional versatility, Chairman’s Reserve serves as an excellent entry point to the distillery’s range, suitable for sipping neat or elevating classic cocktails.

1931 Limited Edition – An experience for connoisseurs

For those seeking a more profound expression, the 1931 series represents the pinnacle of Saint Lucia Distillers’ craft. Named to honor the founding year of the original Dennery Distillery, these limited annual releases showcase exceptional blending artistry.

Expect a rich tapestry of flavors—dried fruits, dark chocolate, coffee, tropical spices, and polished oak—delivered with remarkable complexity and a lingering finish. Each annual edition varies slightly, making them highly collectable among rum enthusiasts.

Visit the Distillery

Tours and tastings

Saint Lucia Distillers welcomes visitors to explore their facilities through guided tours that reveal every aspect of rum production. From fermentation vats to the impressive array of stills and the atmospheric aging warehouses, guests gain insight into the complete rum-making journey.

The tasting experience typically includes samples from across their portfolio, allowing visitors to appreciate the remarkable diversity of styles produced at this single facility. Their on-site shop offers the opportunity to purchase exclusive expressions often unavailable elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Saint Lucia Distillers?

Saint Lucia Distillers is a rum producer located on the Eastern Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. They are renowned for creating a diverse range of rums utilizing multiple still types and blending techniques. As the island’s only rum distillery, they serve as custodians of Saint Lucia’s rum heritage while pioneering innovative approaches to rum production.

Where is Saint Lucia Distillers located?

The distillery is situated in the picturesque Roseau Valley near Marigot Bay on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. This location provides not only beautiful surroundings but also the ideal tropical climate conditions that contribute significantly to the distinctive character of their rums during the aging process.

What characterizes Saint Lucia Distillers?

Saint Lucia Distillers is distinguished by their utilization of multiple still types (pot, column, and hybrid), enabling them to produce an unusually diverse range of rum styles from a single facility. Their commitment to transparency regarding production methods, their exploration of various cask types for maturation, and their preservation of traditional techniques alongside modern innovations set them apart in the rum world.

Where can I buy rum from Saint Lucia Distillers?

Selected bottles from Saint Lucia Distillers can be found at Vault of Spirits. We carefully curate their offerings to bring you both their core expressions and limited releases, ensuring access to these tropical treasures regardless of where you’re located.