St. Lucia Distillers continues its development strategy with the inauguration of three new production buildings. These new buildings, two aging cellars and one building for barrel filling operations, bring the total aging capacity to more than 12,000 casks…This is enough to fuel the development ambitions of this not so typical distillery.

The only rum distillery on the island, St. Lucia Distillers has been given a new lease on life since its acquisition by GBH in early 2016. In line with its commitments, the family-owned group from Martinique is carrying out a vast investment program and has the ambition to propel this small island distillery alongside the major international players present in the premium rum segment. St. Lucia Distillers, which owns three pot stills and one distillation column still, produces and blends various rums marketed under signature brands such as Chairman’s Reserve, Bounty and Admiral Rodney.

In order to respond to the increasing growth of international markets but also to strengthen its identity and local roots, St. Lucia Distillers has set three objectives: to modernize and increase the production of the distillery, to increase the warehousing capacity for aging rum and to transform the site into a premier tourist destination. It will allow the visitors to dive into the history of Saint Lucia and the excellence of its rums, while also immersing them in a tropical botanical garden.

It is in this context that these three new buildings were inaugurated on Monday, June 14th, in the presence of Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Honorable Allen Chastanet, the Minister of Tourism, Honorable Dominic Fedee and of Bernard and Rodolphe Hayot. There were numerous personalities on hand to witness the inauguration of this new infrastructure, which will be able to accommodate more than 7,000 additional barrels. A 3rd building for rum transfers and various barrel handling operations will provide local teams with optimal and safe working conditions.

This project, which proceeded not without difficulties due to the health crisis, mobilized 8 local companies and provided work for more than 100 locals for 18 months. All these initiatives were widely praised by the Prime Minister during his speech. For Grégoire Gueden, Chairman of St. Lucia Distillers, «These new facilities really confirm the integration of this distillery within GBH. These investments show GBH’s desire to perpetuate the local heritage » and then he continued « we have great ambitions for St. Lucia Distillers!