St Lucia Distillers was founded in 1972 and is based in the valley of Roseau on the island of St Lucia. In the 1950s, only two distilleries remained on the island, Dennery on the Barnard family plantation, and the Geest-owned facility at Roseau. These two distilleries combined to form St. Lucia Distillers Group at the location of Roseau in 1972, and it is now the island’s only remaining distillery. The Barnard family then bought out the Geest’s shares in 1992, and in 2005 they sold their shareholdings to Clico Barbados Holdings, though Laurie Barnard stayed on as Managing Director. In May 2007 the distillery suffered an arson attack, which destroyed the laboratory and blending building, and the brand was forced to work from a converted warehouse for years after.
The distillery now sources its sugar cane from Guyana, as banana plantations have replaced sugar plantations on St Lucia. However, the distillery recently planted five acres of sugar cane on site.
2009 Vintage
Chairman’s Reserve’s 2009 vintage rum is a combination of spirit from the St Lucia’s distiller’s John Dore and Vendome pot stills and traditional Coffey column. The two rums were matured for 11 years separately in ex-bourbon casks before being married together.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Intense honeyed raisin nose with toffee, banana, vanilla, and tobacco tones.
Palate: Concentrated and powerful palate with sweet candied tropical fruits, tobacco, and spices. Buttery toasted oak gives structure and depth.
Finish: Complex, long finish of leather and dark chocolate.
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