How to Spend a Week in St. Barts Tasting the Caribbean’s Best Rums 

Tastings of the world’s rarest rums. Cocktail parties on the beach. Spectacular villas. Up-close meetings with the Caribbean’s premier rum-makers. Michelin-level gastronomy. 

There’s nothing quite like the Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth, the competition and festival that celebrates the very best in Caribbean rum. 

This year’s Caribbean Rum Awards is back again on the Caribbean’s most glamorous island, with a weeklong celebration of artisanal, rare rums and backdrop of St Barth’s immeasurable beauty. 

It’s not like any rum festival you’ve ever been to. And forget what you think you know about rum.

These are ultra-premium, artisanal, exquisite spirits that will make you redefine your perception of rum.

The event runs from Nov. 11-17, meaning you can hop on a Tradewind plane to St Barth, book a WIMCO villa and spend the week in a journey of gourmet discovery. 

“Whether you’re a rum connoisseur or a bourbon or whisky lover looking to take a deeper step into the world of rum, the Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth is for you,” said Alexander Britell, editor and publisher of Caribbean Journal. “But at the end of the day, this is about spending a beautiful week in November in St Barth. What’s not to love?”

This year’s event kicks off with the opening party at Le Barthelemy resort, presented by Rhum Nelson from Martinique, followed by a series of tasting events, parties (and, of course, the international blind tasting competition at the Rosewood Le Guanahani). 

The Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth is also home of many of the week’s intimate VIP tastings, along with the unforgettable Rum Dinner on Nov. 15.

The week also includes a ti’ punch poolside cocktail party at the lovely Les Ilets de la Plage hotel.

And if you’re a cigar connoisseur, you’re covered too, with outstanding selections from some of the world’s top producers — and lounges set up at most of the events.

You can buy your event tickets here. The best way to experience the Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth is in a WIMCO villa, and this year the Caribbean’s top villa rental company has put together a collection of special villas especially for the Caribbean Rum Awards. You can find the full list here. 

As for the roster of rums on offer, it’s a who’s who of powerhouse rums: Neisson, Damoiseau, Flor de Cana, Clement, JM, Reimonenq, Baie de Tresor, Karukera, Eminente, La Favorite, Worthy Park, Mount Gay, Renegade, A1710, Longueteau, the list goes on. 

Last year’s field was topped by the Don Q Reserva de la Familia Serralles, which took home the crown as the world champion. It retails for about $1,700 per bottle.

“St Barth has its own brand of French Caribbean cool, and if you haven’t experienced it, this is the perfect way to do it,” said Guy Britton, EVP and managing editor of Caribbean Journal. “It’s the best of the French Riviera married with the effortless chic of the French West Indies.”

To learn more about attending, visit the Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth EventBrite page. 

Or visit the Caribbean Rum Awards.