Caribbean rum is a huge business in the Cayman Islands, so I decided to get to know this iconic drink better.
Rum is a liqueur made from the fermentation and distillation of sugarcane, molasses, or sugarcane juice, which was born in the Caribbean in the 17th century. Over the years, rum has become one of the region’s most important exports and continues to play a defining role in Caribbean culture to this day.
Rums are often classified by color:
✔ White rum – Light and smooth, mostly used for cocktails. 🍹
✔ Gold rum – Medium-bodied, often aged, popular neat or on the rocks.
✔ Dark rum – Deep, rich in flavor, aged in oak barrels, consumed straight, on ice, or even used for cooking.
Between the 18th and 20th centuries, sugarcane plantations were central to the Caribbean economy. Barbados, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica are still significant sugarcane producers today. However, the Cayman Islands do not grow sugarcane for commercial purposes – but that does not stop the locals from making rum!
On Grand Cayman, two major rum producers operate:
🏴☠️ Tortuga Rum – The island’s most famous rum, renowned worldwide for its rich flavors and the famous Tortuga rum cake. The Tortuga Rum Company is synonymous with quality rum in the Cayman Islands. The company has more than a dozen stores on Grand Cayman and one on Cayman Brac. In addition to rum production, they offer wines, spirits, cocktail mixers, and beers, but their most famous product is the world-renowned Tortuga Rum Cake.
The company’s history dates back to 1984 when Captain Robert Hamaty and his wife, Carlene Jackson Hamaty, founded the business. A year later, they introduced their own brand rums, Tortuga Gold and Tortuga Light, which remain island favorites to this day. Over the years, the company has grown into the largest duty-free liquor retailer in the Cayman Islands.
The story of the Tortuga Rum Cake began in October 1987, when Carlene created the famous cake based on a family recipe passed down through generations. Today, it is the most popular souvenir and export product of the Cayman Islands, known and loved around the world.
For visitors, Tortuga offers a unique insight into the world of rum production and cake baking. Although their website and some employees provide conflicting information about tours, the company’s distillery and bakery present an exciting opportunity to experience the rum and rum cake-making processes up close. While the exact locations and opportunities can sometimes be challenging, the exploration itself is a true Cayman Islands adventure!
🥃 Cayman Spirits Company – Established in 1984, this company produces a wide range of spirits, including premium rums under their proprietary labels. Their most famous product is the Seven Fathoms Premium Rum, introduced to the market in 2008. It gets its name from a unique aging process, as it is matured seven fathoms deep in the Caribbean Sea. This process helps ensure more even aging and reduces evaporation losses, resulting in a richer flavor profile. Additionally, the company markets the Governor’s Reserve Rum brand, which is also highly popular among rum enthusiasts.
The rum culture of the Cayman Islands celebrates Caribbean heritage, and just one sip of this drink will transport you to the tropics. If you find yourself in George Town, be sure to visit a rum tasting and discover the flavors of the Cayman Islands! 🍹✨