The best rums in the world are back in the heart of the French Caribbean for the sixth annual edition of the Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth.

This year’s festival, which runs Oct. 31-Nov. 4, includes the world’s most exclusive rum competition and a full slate of rum parties and experiences across the Caribbean’s most glamorous island. It is presented by platinum sponsors WIMCO St Barth Properties and Tradewind Aviation.

“There is no rum event like this anywhere else in the world,” said Alexander Britell, editor and publisher of Caribbean Journal and co-founder of the Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth. “Whether you are a rum connoisseur or are looking to begin your journey with ultra-premium rum and rhum agricole, this is a truly unforgettable week on the most luxurious island in the Caribbean.”

This year’s event kicks off with the Rhum Neisson VIP party at the rooftop bar at Le Barthelemy Resort and Spa, where Neisson will premiere its new Dekolaj rum.

“The Caribbean Rum Awards is the start of the season in St Barth,” said Christopher Davis, world-renowned rum expert and co-founder of the Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth. “There will be functions at venues around St Barth, so get prepared to have some fun with all of the visiting rum royalty.”

The rum is an unrivaled journey into the world of rum, particularly the sought-after rhum agricole of Martinique and Guadeloupe, drawing top producers from around the region to sample their finest expressions on the island.

The following day is the blind tasting competition, which sees nearly 100 rums judged across 8 categories by 10 of the world’s premier rum judges, hosted at the legendary Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth resort.

That includes the competition’s famous Uber-Premium categories, one for molasses rum and one for rhum agricole, which include fields of rums that retail for a minimum of $400 — the only rum categories of their kind in any global rum competition.

That night, Le Barthelemy will play host to its popular Caribbean Rum Party, featuring a selection of high-level rums from around the region.

Le Barthelemy will also host a rum pairing dinner at its celebrated Amis restaurant, along with a ti’ punch pool party on the afternoon of Nov. 3.

Nov. 2 is the evening VIP ti’ punch party at the Les Ilets de la Plage beach resort in St Jean.

Rosewood Le Guanahani will be hosting master classes on Nov. 2 and 3, along with evening rum tastings at its Bar Mélangé. Several other master classes will also be held at events around the island, including at the Diamond Genesis lounge. The ultra-luxe resort will also host a rum dinner at its Beach House St. Barth restaurant.

“St Barts is pleased to welcome the 6^th annual edition of the Caribbean Rum Awards!,” said Sabine Masseglia, director of the Territorial Tourism Committee of St Barts. “This competition that celebrates the rum throughout the island, also launches the 2023/2024 season that already looks promising. May the connoisseurs and the neophytes enjoy what this beautiful event has to offer. “

The weekend is when the Caribbean Rum Awards come to the heart of Gustavia, with Nov. 3-4 a rum expo right on the water in town, featuring local food, a cocktail competition and an unrivaled selection of rum distilleries at the edge of the harbor.

“It’s only natural that St Barth should play host to a collection of the finest premium rums on earth,” said Guy Britton, managing editor of Caribbean Journal.

Planning to visit the event? Plan your stay at the top villas in St Barth with WIMCO St Barth Properties, or reserve your hotel stay at Le Barthelemy or Rosewood Le Guanahani.

Leading villa rental company WIMCO St Barth Properties has created a generous booking incentive designed to build interest in travel to St Barts in early November in time for the event. Wimco is providing a $500 credit toward a rental car for any villa rental reservation with a check in date on or before November 11.

It helps that low-season pricing is still in effect in early November.

“Early November is a great time to visit St Barts, the ocean is warm, the island is waking back up from its off season, and all the top restaurants and beach clubs are open. It’s also home to two popular events, starting with the Caribbean Rum Awards, then followed by the Gourmet Festival,” said WIMCO President and chief marketing officer Stiles Bennet.

“We are thrilled to join the Caribbean Rum Awards once again as a lead sponsor for the event in St Barth,” said David Zipkin, Co-Founder and CMO at Tradewind Aviation. “The Rum Awards is the pre-eminent event for fine rums, drawing the best brands, connoisseurs, and visitors to our favorite island in the Caribbean.”

Tradewind Aviation is the official airline of the Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth.

For more information on tickets, please contact rum@caribjournal.com or visit EventBrite.