The fact that rum production originated in the Caribbean makes rum tours a popular activity. Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits offers information about rum tours in the Cayman Islands and tips for enjoying them.
Jacques Scott Wine & Spirits is the leading retailer of premium beer, wine and liquor in the Cayman Islands. We are the exclusive distributor for many fine brands, including Coors Light, Heineken, Amstel Light, Johnnie Walker, Appleton and Smirnoff. We offer:
- Premium and rare spirits
- Local and imported beers
- Unbeatable selection of award-winning wines and champagnes
- Six convenient locations across the Island
- Online ordering with free delivery on Grand Cayman
Finding a Rum Tour
Tour operators, such as Viator.com, offer a wide range of options that include tours of Grand Cayman’s only rum distillery – Cayman Spirits Company. They typically include a professional guide and cruise port or hotel pickup and drop-off.
If you prefer to be independent, you can arrange a distillery tour and tasting on your own. Cayman Spirits Company’s award-winning golden rum is aged in wooden barrels seven fathoms under water. It is the first spirit to be made entirely in the Cayman Islands and includes local ingredients, such as sugarcane from Grand Cayman’s East End. The rum is aged in American White Oak bourbon barrels in a secret location off the Island’s coast.
The company also produces a series of “Governor’s Reserve” Rums to suit any taste and occasion – white, overproof, gold, dark, spiced, banana and coconut. And vodka lovers will appreciate their silky, smooth premium Gun Bay Vodka.
Tours are held in a custom-built 5,000 square foot facility that is home to a 1,200 gallon Vendome copper pot still, a 30-foot tall Gun Bay Vodka tower, and the original Christian Carl German-made copper pot still they use to perfect Seven Fathoms Rum. Visitors taste fresh batches of Seven Fathoms Rum, Gun Bay Vodka, and Governor’s Reserve Rum.
Rum Tasting Tips
How do you taste rum? How do you identify the different flavors and characteristics so that you know which type of rum you prefer?
You don’t have to be a rum expert before tasting. Here are a few rum tasting tips from the knowledgeable staff at Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits to help you enjoy your rum tour:
- Make sure you have a clean palate. Bread or unsalted crackers work well. Avoid eating chocolate or spicy food or drinking coffee before tasting rum.
- Sniff the rum in the glass to soak in its delicious notes, which may include orange peel, almond, and butterscotch. This is commonly referred to as “nosing.” Short quick sniffs are best.
- The first sip will usually be a bit of a shock to your tongue, so start off with a small sip to acclimate your taste buds.
- Take a second, slower sip to get a true tasting of the flavors. Look for sweetness, bitterness, spiciness and acidity, and pay attention to the consistency of the rum. Is it smooth, light, syrupy? Make note of your preferences.
- If you plan to taste more rum, drink a little bit of water between them so you can taste the subtle differences.
If you’re lucky enough to be spending time in the beautiful Cayman Islands, definitely enjoy the rum tours. Then visit Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits to buy rum and other spirits at the very best prices!
