Your next Caribbean vacation could involve an immersive academic course: history classes, tours and cultural education.
Of course, it may not be the kind of education you’re thinking: it’s all about rum.
The newest initiative from St Kitts Tourism is the first of its kind by any Caribbean destination: a full-fledged rum education program.
The one-day program and tour, led by two top rum experts in St Kitts, is a “deep dive” into the history of rum, with hands-on experience in mixology and even spiced rum-making.
“The history of Caribbean rum and its influential impact can be seen throughout St. Kitts,” said St “Kitts Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson. “St. Kitts is home to the oldest surviving rum distillery in the Caribbean and is also home to a growing unconventional rum scene. We are excited to incorporate an integral part of our history into expanding innovative tourism opportunities. We are confident this tour will allow travelers to experience St. Kitts in a different way and take back home a part of our island’s.”
The program comes in two parts: first, a tour at Wingfield Estate, the home of the Caribbean’s oldest surviving rum distillery. Rum expert Jack Widdowson teaches participants about rum history, rum production methods and the background behind the recently-excavated distillery at the 18th-century site. Today, Wingfield Estate is home to the Old Road Rum brand.
The second course is at the Spice Mill Restaurant on Cockleshell Bay, run by Roger Brisbane.
That course includes spiced rum making, blending techniques and an in-depth look at Brisbane’s spiced rum brand, Hibiscus Spirits.
“We are honored to partner with two of our esteemed on-island rum producers, Hibiscus Spirits from Spice Mill Restaurant and Old Road Rum from Wingfield Estate, to create this lucrative program,” said Ellison “Tommy” Thompson, CEO of theSt. Kitts Tourism Authority. “This is just one of many upcoming opportunities where the destination will utilize local partnerships to market the island’s unique attributes. Furthermore, this program truly sets us apart from other Caribbean destinations while preserving the Kittitian history of rum and its meaning to the culture. We are excited to invite travelers worldwide to spend a day with kindred spirits.”
For more, visit The Joy of Rum.