Chairmans Reserve Finest St Lucia Rum 70 cl 40%

Distillery: Chairmans Reserve
Age: NA
Type: Finest St. Lucia Rum
Alc. strength: 40 %
70 cl.

Dark golden amber color. Immediate flavors of honey, tobacco, and vanilla, followed by a long spicy and pleasant aftertaste.

Since 1972, when the only two distilleries on the island of Santa Lucia joined forces to create Santa Lucia Distillers, they have transitioned from stereotypical mass production to producing some of the world's best rums today. The distillery, located in the Roseau Valley on the island, produces everything from Super Premium rums to rum cream liqueurs. With such success, when Santa Lucia Distillers tallied up in the summer of 2013, they had received no less than 209 international medals for their outstanding rum varieties. Among these, they have been named the world's best rum distillery and have won four rum trophies, five double golds, and 79 gold medals.

Historically, the demand for sugar by Europeans left the locals on Santa Lucia with the byproduct of molasses, which they used to produce rum in the 17th and 18th centuries. Initially, rum was mostly consumed by slaves and sailors, with sailors entitled to a daily ration. However, rum quickly became more profitable than sugar production...

Since sugar production ceased in Santa Lucia in 1962, molasses has been imported primarily from Guyana. Recently, however, 5 hectares of sugarcane have been planted, with more to follow.

As a basic process, rum is produced by adding hot water to molasses. The mash is poured into steel tanks, where yeast is added, and the sugar is converted into alcohol. Fermentation lasts between 24 and 30 hours on Santa Lucia. The liquid is then distilled in four different stills – three pot stills and one column still. Depending on which stills are used, the profile of the rum changes.
Santa Lucia ages the distillery's rum in American white oak barrels, previously used to age American whiskey. The barrels hold 200 liters. In smaller quantities – for the exclusive rum types – port wine, wine, sherry, Madeira, and Sauternes barrels are also used.

When spirits are aged in the tropics, the maturation process is accelerated, approximately 2 ½ times faster than in Europe, due to the higher temperature and humidity. This means that rum over 10 years old often becomes very woody and tannic. At Santa Lucia, almost always, old barrels are blended with newer ones to achieve a fine balance in the blend – and that's why the age of the rum is not indicated...
Santa Lucia rum is as pure as possible. In addition to a little caramel for color, nothing else is added. No sugar, liqueur, brandy, sherry, or other tricks.

Admiral Rodney is one of the world's finest rums and Santa Lucia Distillers' flagship in terms of age and complexity. Exclusively produced on column stills and aged on average 12 years in American white oak barrels.