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Turks and Caicos Rums
Currently there are no distilleries producing rum in the Turks and Caicos Islands and there appear to be no plans in the near future to establish one either. The main reason for this, is that there is very little soil on most of the islands and as a result sugar cane has never been grown commercially. The islands are all made out of limestone and this is a very porous rock. There is also very little rainfall, with most of the landscape resembling a dry desert, covered in cactus plants or low lying brush. The only crops that have been tried commercially in the past are sisal and cotton. These plantations no longer exist, just a few long abandoned, derelict buildings are left to remind us of a bygone era. Due to this dry desert like climate, salt production was successful for many years on many of the islands and many trees were cut down to deter rainfall. Despite all this, there are numerous rums available in the Turks and Caicos Islands, with several "local" rums sold in the market. Some
of the local rums are bottled and labelled in other Caribbean countries and imported to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Other local rums are imported in bulk, in large plastic drums, at a higher than normal strength (to save on Customs Import
Duties) and then diluted to about 40%, where it is bottled and labelled locally. In the case of the new Bambarra
Rums, they are blended, bottled and labelled here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The local rums are called:- 1) Bambarra Silver Rum. 2) Bambarra Gold Rum. 3)
Bambarra 8 Year Old Rum. 4) Turks Head Gold Rum. 5) Turks Head White Rum. 6) Cave Gold Rum. 7) Cave White Rum. 8) Caicos Light Rum. 9) Caicos Gold Rum. 10) Lucayan Rum. There was one called "Turks Head Caribbean Spiced Rum" that was available for a short period. Also the old Bambarra Rum has been discontinued and has been totally re-invented in favour of the new Bambarra range of rums. All of these
rums are distilled in other countries and only the new Bambarra and Turks Head are bottled and labeled locally. There
are a few private label rums that are bottled locally aswell, such as "Don Faustino, Turks and Caicos Gold
Rum and White " and "I.B.O. Rum", which are distributed by some of the local liquor stores, and produced by
Provo Beverages, the Brewers of Turks Head Beers. The Cave Rums which are currently available sporadically are also about to be discontinued. There is a vast range of imported rums available in the island's liquor stores, from big name brands like Bacardi, Appleton, Myer's, Cruzan and Barbancourt to the smaller known brands such as Barcelo, Brugal, Botran, Macorix and Bermudez. The Wine Cellar
alone carries over 100 different types of rum, probably one of the best selections of any liquor store in the Caribbean. This
selection changes on a regular basis depending on supply and availability. Please see the list at the bottom of this page.
TURKS AND CAICOS CAVE RUM
New Rums
There is a rumour going around that an exciting new line of rums are being developed to be launched very shortly in the Turks and Caicos Islands. It is belived there will be a white, a gold and a reserve rum (aprroximately eight years old). All rum lovers in the islands are looking forward to this launch. Apparently the bottles have been secured and the labels have been designed and the producers of the rum are busy scouring the Caribbean for the best available rums. They have gone as far away as Trinidad and as close as Haiti and Jamaica. It is beleived this will be the first rum to be bottled, blended and labelled exclusively in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Stay tuned for more updates as soon as they happen. The Rumelier is proud to announce that shown below is the first copy of the labels for the newest rum in the Turks and Caicos, Bambarra Rum. In a recent head to head rum tasting against Zacapa 15 Year Old a sample of the Bambarra 8 Year Old Reserve came out a unanimous winner. It was tasted by The Rumelier and two of his salesmen. Latest News It has been decided that the new rum for the Turks and Caicos Islands will be called "Bambarra Rum The Spirit of the Turks and Caicos". This a completely seperate rum from the previously mentioned Bambarra Rum and the label shown above, which has since been discontinued. These are brand new rums to the liquor market. Here is an official description of the new rum:- "Bambarra Rum is as unique as the Turks and Caicos Islands. Inspired by one of our original settlements in picturesque Middle Caicos, it takes its name from the home of the African settlers who were delivered to our shores by the winds of fate aboard the wrecked slave trader Trouvadore in 1841. A life of freedom was theirs upon landfall, at a place they called Bambarra Beach. From there they planted the seeds of a nation. With them came traditions and culture we still enjoy today - such as the colorful Junk-a-Noo, intricate craft weaving, and the fine art of smoothly blended sugar cane rum. Enjoy Bambarra and the unique legacy of freedom and tradition it celebrates."
Imported Rums in The Turks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos Islands are a small British Dependency lying 575 miles South East of Miami, Florida. The population is estimated to be around 20 to 30,000. Of this only one third are considered "belongers". There is a large Haitian, Dominican, and Jamaican population, aswell as many North Americans and Europeans. A new addition to this are many Asian migrant workers. Due to the small size and relative youthfulness of the country, nearly everything is imported into the country, including all the rum and other liquors. Heavy import duties are assessed onto imported liquors. Import duties are the main form of Government income as there are no direct income taxes in the country. Presently there are no distilleries in the country and no rumours of any plans to build one. As mentioned above there are some locally bottled rums. There is however a great selection of rums available in the liquor stores from all parts of the Caribbean. With the Dominican Republic being a close neighbour of the Turks and Caicos and with the large Dominican population there is always a good selection of fine Dominican rums. These brands include Barcelo, Bermudez, Brugal, Matusalem, Sibonney, Don Rhon, and Macorix. Haiti is also well represented with several types of Barbancourt and various types of Clairin. This is also small batch unaged often illegal rum, commonly called "Monkeyback". This smells and tastes like very raw rum. Jamaican rum is popular also, with Wray and Nephew, Appleton and Myers leading the way. If you talk about Jamaica you have to talk about the classic Myers's Original Dark rum that is available widely in the islands.This is usually used as a floater in cocktails, such as "Rum Runners" and "Pina Colada's". One can not talk about rums without talking about the giant, Bacardi. This is mainly produced in Puerto Rico, but some does come from Nassau in the Bahamas, like Bacardi 8. Sometimes Bacardi bottles can be found here that were meant for other markets, that have often been bought into the country illegally. One of Bacardi's biggest sellers in the islands are the Castillo range of rums. This is an unpromoted cheaper version of their well known rums, usually used as a "well" brand. Also from Puerto Rico is Captain Morgan that can be found easily and is popular with the North American tourists who represent the majority of tourists who visit the country. Very few Cuban rums can be found in the Turks and Caicos. Until a regular shipping route is established between the two countries this will continue to be the case. St. Lucia is also well represented with a good selection of rums from St.Lucia Distillers, including Admiral Rodney, Chairman's Reserve and Elements 8, amongst others. The US Virgin Islands are represented by Cruzan rums from St.Croix. Their flavoured rums are popular with tourists especially the coconut flavour rum. The home of rum, Barbados, can be relied on in the market with their Eclipse and Extra Old rums, aswell as the ever popular Mailbu Rum, currently found in three flavours, Coconut, Mango and Pineapple. Pyrat rum from Anguilla can be found in the Pistol, XO and Cask versions. Most recently some of the Rhum Clements have been available in a few select locations, with promises of more "vintages" to come in the near future. Most of the other rums to found locally can be found in small ammounts and are usually imported from Miami. These rums can include Zacapa, Botran, Flor de Cana and El Dorado to name a few.
Bonded Warehouses
The Wine Cellar's Rum ListThe Wine Cellar in Providenciales has one of the largest collections of rum for sale in the Caribbean. This list
changes on a regular basis due to the availability of some of the rums. Come and visit The Rumelier at The Wine Cellar and
he will gladly help you find what you are looking for. All the rums listed below are for sale at The Wine Cellar, Leeward
Highway, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, B.W.I. |
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