Grenada Rum Distillery
Grenada Rum Distillery-River Antoine Estate is one not to miss! Do you ever feel like you would like to step back 250 years in history? Visit Grenada and take a tour of the River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery. You will.
If you are chartering a yacht in Grenada, take a day off to tour, hopefully with ROGER of Pure Grenada.
Grenada is an island with a rich history of distilling rum, moonshine, and bush spirits. Of the three existing distilleries on the island, River Antoine is the most scenic, historic, and unchanged in its 228-year history.
Located in the beautiful northern parish of St. Patrick, River Antoine has been making their legendary high proof Rivers Rum since 1785. Their age-old techniques and antique equipment have remained, making a tour of the facility like walking through a working rum museum.
Traditional Grenada Rum Distillery
River Antoine is a traditional working rum factory from 1785! It has 99% original parts and a water wheel, all done in conventional labor-intensive old ways.
It is the oldest functioning distillery in the Western world, still churning out bottles of rum with a water wheel.
The Rum Distillery is a real highlight on the Grenada Island tour 🙂 It won’t take long to realize why Grenada is called the Spice Island of the Caribbean.
While living in the British Virgin Islands, I was fascinated by the ruins of rum distilleries, but I could not have imagined the sights, smells, and ambiance of an actual working one.
This company does not export its rum. Everything they make sells as soon as it comes out on the island. The Grenadians prefer a potent overproof rum, but if a tourist buys to take on a plane, they have to get it under 70%, so they cut it with mineral water.
If you get your hands on a strong bottle, I warn you that you won’t be allowed to take it on the plane home.
I love the name “Tourist rum.” So appropriate!
Local Following
River Antoine operates throughout the year and enjoys a solid local following. Like regional beer snobs in the States and Europe, Grenadians often choose their rum brand based on where they live on the island. Rivers fans are so loyal that the company cannot export any rum – they can’t make enough. 100% is consumed by locals who proudly stick to one brand.
A famous adage in the north of Grenada is, “DON’T SAY RUM, SAY RIVERS.” It’s pretty clear that people are saying RIVERS repeatedly in nearby taverns and rum shops.
Distilled in large barrels
Until this century, the rum was distilled in traditional large barrels, but they have worn out, and now it is in large steel vats.
The only correctly functioning water-propelled distillery in the Western Hemisphere!
Go. Be Blown Away
Summary
When you step into the River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery in Grenada, you’re stepping back 250 years in time. This traditional rum distillery, operating since 1785 with 99% of its original machines, uses a water wheel and labor-intensive methods that are a unique cultural experience in themselves.
River Antoine offers a unique glimpse into history as the oldest still-functioning distillery in the Western world. Unlike rum ruins I found in the British Virgin Islands, this place buzzes with life, smell, and hard work.
The rum made here sells out on the island and isn’t exported. They produce a potent overproof rum loved by Grenadians, but the strength must be cut to under 70% for tourists to take home. Please remember you can’t bring it on your flight if it’s too strong.
Embrace the charm of Grenada with an authentic rum experience at River Antoine Estate.
🍹 #GrenadaAdventures #RumDistillery #TravelHistory
