News

Rum Journal: At Cayman’s Top Wine Shop, a Haven for Rum

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - November 30, 2016

It’s the late evening in Grand Cayman, and the rum is flowing.

We’re at a sold-out tasting of Plantation rums, enjoying a seminar on the art of fine rum-making.

That’s because, while it goes without saying that the West Indies Wine Company at the island’s Camana Bay shopping complex is Grand Cayman’s top wine shop — it’s also a great place to find rum.

plantation2

Indeed, this shop in the beautiful Camana Bay shopping complex famous for its wine selection has a terrific selection of rum, from rhums agricoles like Clement and Saint-James to great molasses-based rums like Abuelo and Zacapa.

We were privileged to attend the tasting this week by Plantation, which takes top-level Caribbean rums, ages them in the Caribbean (in bourbon casks) and then takes them to France to age them in Ferrand cognac casks, making for a rather unique series of rum expressions.

The tasting was led by Plantation’s Vice President, Guillaume Lamy, above, and examined a wide range of Plantation rums (we were rather fond of the Plantation Jamaica 2001 and a pair of rums born in Barbados, the 5 and 20 year editions.)

It’s tastings like these that help spread the gospel of rum — and show the broad quality in the rum world, something appreciated by still too few.

This was just the latest in a series of terrific events at the shop, which has become a hub for tastings of a wide range of spirits, including rum, achieving that rare feat: a place equally popular with both visitors and locals.

The West Indies Wine Company is Mecca in Cayman for all lovers of wine and spirits.

The West Indies Wine Company is Mecca in Cayman for all lovers of wine and spirits.

It’s a must-stop on any trip to the Cayman Islands.

— CJ

Popular Posts w punta cana

A New All-Inclusive W Hotel Is Opening This Year in Punta Cana 

The first-ever all-inclusive W Hotel in the Caribbean is opening this year in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Caribbean Journal has learned.  The hotel, part of a broad expansion for parent company Marriott International, is on the list of expected 2024 […]


Why Grenada Is a New Caribbean Luxury Hotspot

beach house silversands

From its world-renowned chocolate to its pristine beaches to a region-leading focus on sustainability, Grenada is as fascinating and unique as destination as you’ll find in the Caribbean.  But in the last few years, the lush Eastern Caribberan island has […]


5 Adults-Only Resorts to Visit Right Now in the Caribbean 

galley bay

Sometimes you just want that extra degree of serenity, of privacy, of seclusion. There is a reason, after all, that adults-only resorts are booming in popularity, particularly in the Caribbean: travelers want to know that when they arrive, they know […]


Related Posts grenada best caribbean islands to visit

The Best Caribbean Islands to Visit in 2024, From Tiny Beach Towns to Hidden Gems

Maybe you’ve been to the Caribbean a dozen times. Maybe you’re planning your first Caribbean vacation. The Caribbean continues to reinvent itself, to rewrite its story. The Caribbean just keeps getting better. As the region comes off what was a […]


Barbados' Legendary Sailing Week Is Back

barbados sailing week

You may have seen those rarities from the Caribbean: the red Mount Gay regatta hats. They’re one of the most prized artifacts in the Caribbean, but they can only be secured if you race in a Mount Gay regatta. In […]


The 50 Best Restaurants in the Caribbean - 2024

best restaurants in the caribbean

Don’t be fooled: there is a formula to creating a great restaurant. It’s the same formula we use to evaluate the region’s best places to eat. You see, every great restaurant is built on three core pillars: food, service and […]


SUBSCRIBE!

Sign up for Caribbean Journal's free newsletter for a daily dose of beaches, hotels, rum and the best Caribbean travel information on the net.


No. Thank You