Rum is the answer, what was the question?
There is nothing better than sitting on the beach with a drink in your hand and listening to the gentle crash of the waves on the shore. In the Caribbean, a very popular alcohol of choice is rum. We mix it in soda, juice, blended drinks and imbibe on any occasion! Here are a few local rums that are made in and around the BVI.
Callwood rum distillery is located in Cane Garden Bay on Tortola and is thought to be more than 400 years old. The building is historic and features parts of an old Sugar Cane mill. It is tucked just off of the main road from the beach and is quite easy to miss if you’re not looking for it.
Visitors and locals alike frequent this distillery to enjoy a piece of history and to also get a cheeky sample of rum. It is a definitely a place to check out and take a bottle back to your friends and family!
On of the most famous rums to be associated with the BVI is Pusser’s and that is mostly thanks to the Painkiller cocktail. The Royal Navy of Great Britain originally drank Pusser’s rum. They were allowed a 
tot of rum daily while aboard the ship. This tradition was ended in 1970 by the Admiralty board but the rum recipe lived on! The most popular of the 3 types of Pusser’s rum is the Blue Label, which can be seen worldwide in many liquor stores. Sometimes Pusser’s rum is referred to as “Nelson’s Blood” because after Admiral Nelson passed away at the Battle of Trafalgar his body was placed in a cask of spirits to be preserved for the journey home. The sailors drank the spirits during the sail from the cask and basically drank his blood.
Located on the nearby island of St. Croix, USVI, is the Cruzan rum distillery. The site where the distillery is built was originally a sugar mill, which was used to crush sugar cane. The distillery has been in operation for about 200 years and has become an integral part of the culture and island. While the most popular rums are the aged white and dark bottles, they also make an array of flavoured rums. A unique drink is a splash of their banana-flavoured rum in some fresh coconut water!
One of the most popular spots in the BVI is the Soggy Dollar Bay located on Jost Van Dyke. This bar made the Painkiller drink famous. They recently started to produce their own rum, which they use in their cocktails. The dark rum boasts flavours of vanilla and caramel, while their spiced rum is made up of a secret blend of local spices. They ship worldwide so when you’re missing the Caribbean you can order a bottle, close your eyes and sip some lovely rum that will bring back happy memories.
Whether you are a seasoned rum drinker or new to the spirit, there are many different varieties to enjoy. Why not try them all on your next visit to the BVI?!
