Visit to West Indies Rum Distillery (WIRD)
VIP Tour of the WIRD and new visitor center!
The Heritage of West Indies Rum Distillery
Imagine a place where the warm Caribbean breeze mingles with the rich aroma of aged rum. This isn't just any place; it's the West Indies Rum Distillery (WIRD) in beautiful Barbados, a haven for rum enthusiasts. We had the incredible opportunity to experience a VIP tour of this legendary distillery with Dameain, and I'm excited to share this once-in-a-lifetime adventure with you.
Built in 1893 by George Stade, a German engineer, WIRD is unique in more ways than one: it has always operated as a stand-alone (unlike many estate-based distilleries), it boasts a picturesque beachside location, and it was a pioneer in introducing column distillation to Barbados.
Industrial Look with Breathtaking Views
Upon arriving, you're greeted by the new, vibrant visitor center, a stark contrast to the rest of the large, industrial-looking complex, complete with towering columns and a smoky chimney. Inside, the familiar aromas of rum enchant the senses. Our first stop was the second outdoor floor, overlooking fermentation tanks dedicated to molasses destined for column distillation.
130 Years of Stills
Adjacent to the fermentation area is the still house, home to the massive columns used for continuous distillation, including the Stone & Webster four-column, the John Dore five-column, and the now-retired copper twin-column Blair.
WIRD, once known for its column distillation and high-volume production, has, since Maison Ferrand's acquisition in 2017, further embraced its history in batch distillation. The "Pot Still Alley," as we affectionately call it, began with an open wooden fermenter for long spontaneous fermentation.Â
Ascending the stairs, the Alley reveals four magnificent copper pot stills: the Vulcan, Gregg's Farm, Hot Pot, and Rockley. It's a humbling sight, each still a testament to the distillery's rich history and craftsmanship.
History, Also in the Making
Led by Alexandre of Maison Ferrand, the team's passion for rum history is palpable. The distillery's old safe, once used for storing precious documents and blueprints, now serves as a small museum, showcasing historical photographs, blueprints, and diagrams.
Since Maison Ferrand's takeover, the aging process at WIRD has evolved. The casks, arranged like a maze, now lead to a special VIP tasting area, where we had the privilege of sampling directly from three barrels with Dameain.
Outside, a large wooden vat is used for "mellowing" the recent Stade’s Rum Bond 8 by the sea. Our tour concluded at the newly built visitor center, which opened the following week. Its vibrant colors – blue, turquoise, and orange – are reminiscent of recent Planteray bottlings (formerly known as Plantation) . The path led us to what seemed like a large lifeguard tower, but it turned out to be the most paradisiacal tasting bar I've ever encountered!
Your Time to Visit!
Our tasting session, overlooking the breathtaking beach, was a moment of true camaraderie, embodying what I love most about rum. In the visitor center shop, we secured the newly released Stade’s Rum 130th anniversary bottle.
The visitor center is now open to the public, and I wholeheartedly encourage a visit. Our trip to Barbados, enriched by its culture and the generosity of its people, was made even more memorable by our experience at WIRD. A heartfelt thanks to Adrienne, Dameain, Ramon, and the entire team for an extraordinary journey!
It was indeed a pleasure meeting you guys and showing you our ever changing distillery. We will always keep and highlight the rich history of not only our distillery and rums, but Barbados on a whole.
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and we certainly look forward to your next visit.
DW