West Indies

There are 209 rums from the West Indies distillery in the RumX database.

Show all West Indies rums

Located in Bridgetown and adjacent to the Brighton Beach, West Indies’ origins date back to 1893, making it the second oldest yet operational distillery in Barbados. WIRD or the “Blackrock distillery” as it is called by the locals due to its location in the Blackrock suburb, was founded as the “West Indies Rum Refinery” (WIRR) by the brothers Georg and Hermann Stade who immigrated from Germany to Barbados a couple of years earlier. In 1903, however, the distillery went insolvent and was subsequently taken over by local merchants (i.e. mainly its customers for which it produced the rum). It remained - with changing ownership, inlcluding Goddard Enterprises Ltd. more recently - in local hands until 2017, when Maison Ferrand took over the distillery, securing not only a rich stock of Bajan rum and vast production capabilities but also access to Jamaican rum producers due to WIRD’s stake at National Rums of Jamaica Ltd. (fully owning Long Pond Distillers Ltd. and a majority stake in Clarendon Distillers Ltd.). WIRD currently has four operational stills, two column stills, a batch (or chamber) still and a pot still. The largest column still, a Canadian-made four-column still is mainly used for production of light type rums. The second largest, a John Dore built four-column still, commissioned in 1975, can be used in several configurations and produce rums ranging from very light to a heavy types. The batch still, which is called the “Vulcan“ is named after former Cincinatti-based coppersmith company Vulcan, basically bridges pot and column distillation techniques. It was build in the late 19th/early 20th century and is the last original in operation of its kind. It was decommissioned for some time and reactivated in the early 2000s. Previously, it has been used mainly to produce the so-called wash which is the first step in the distillation process. The operational pot still is named “Gregg Farm” after its initial location at the Gregg Farm plantation. It is used for the production of heavier rum types. This still often comes into play for the second distillation step at WIRD’s. While WIRD has been providing the basis for many “lower-end” rums and rum-based spirits such as Malibu, it has also been producing one of the most iconic rums for rum nerds: The so called “Rockley Style” rum, which is occassionally also referred to “Blackrock Style” or “Rockley Still” rum. Currently there are two acknowledged “Rockley Style” vintages, one from 1986 and one from 2000. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the Gregg Farm and Vulcan still are key to this rum style. The “Rockley Style” is renowned for its smoky and medicinal notes, accompanied by sweeter honey-like notes. Rum Artesanal’s West Indies - Barbados Rum Rockley Style 1986 (RX 7784) was rated second best in the RumX annual review 2021. The “Rockley Style” rum may, however, not be confused with rum from the ancient Rockley distillery. The Rockley estate was founded in the 18th century and abandoned at the end of the 19th century. While WIRR/WIRD acquired and operated one of Rockley distillery’s pot stills at some time, it was not functional any longer at the time the “Rockley style” rums were produced. Indeed, Don Benn, master distiller at WIRD, recently acknowledged that the “Rockley styles” were not produced to replicate any rum profiles originating from the Rockley still. The reason for this was simply that there was no more rum existing from this still at the time the “Rockley styles” were produced. Hence, “Rockley Style” could rather be consiedered a marketing term without reference to any actual rum from the Rockley distillery. In 2021, WIRD shipped the disfunctional pot still, which is supposedly “the Rockley still” to the UK for refurbishment. It remains to be seen whether there will be any rum emanating from this still in the near future.


Popular rums from West Indies

Plantation Extra Old XO 20th Anniversary

RX1   10yr - 15yr   40%

"Smooth, sweet, tropical classic with balanced charm."

8.0 (1,336)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlantation Extra Old XO 20th Anniversary

Planteray Barbados High Ester WLP Foundation

RX21760   2022   2yr   59%

"Bold, tropical, and intriguingly high ester delight."

8.4 (74)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlanteray Barbados High Ester WLP Foundation

Planteray Cut and Dry Coconut Rum

RX13104   40%

"Bold, natural coconut delight from Barbados."

7.5 (156)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlanteray Cut and Dry Coconut Rum

Plantation Barbados 5 Years

RX133   5yr   40%

"Smooth, sweet, and versatile Caribbean delight."

7.2 (234)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlantation Barbados 5 Years

Plantation One-Time Limited Edition

RX7714   2011   9yr   51,1%

"Bold, spicy Barbados rum with refined complexity."

8.0 (80)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlantation One-Time Limited Edition

RA Barbados Rum (Rockley Style)

RX7785   2000   21yr   47,1%

"Distinct rum with evolving, nuanced character."

8.3 (60)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumRum Artesanal Barbados Rum (Rockley Style)

La ConfrĂ©rie du Rhum Stade’s Rum JAWS Barbados

RX20217   2022   56%

"Bold tropical notes with a Jamaican twist."

8.0 (80)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumStade’s Rum JAWS Barbados

Plantation Barbados (Oloroso Sherry Cask)

RX15035   10yr   49,3%

7.9 (8)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlantation Barbados (Oloroso Sherry Cask)

Plantation Grande Réserve

RX65   1yr - 3yr   40%

"Bright, tropical-sweet, and versatile—truly inviting."

7.0 (338)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlantation Grande Réserve

Top rated rums from West Indies

RA Barbados Rum Rockley Style BBR

RX7784   1986   34yr   53,7%

"A complex, balanced gem for rum aficionados."

9.3 (72)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumRum Artesanal Barbados Rum Rockley Style BBR

Duncan Taylor Single Cask Rum BRS

RX1028   1986   25yr   52,7%

"Complex, smoky, and distinctively Barbadian."

9.2 (20)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumSingle Cask Rum BRS

Nobilis No. 3 Rockley BBR

RX9395   1986   34yr   54,7%

"Deep, nuanced rum with honey, smoke, and spice."

9.1 (61)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumNo. 3 Rockley BBR

Silver Seal Barbados BRS

RX3896   1986   33yr   58,8%

"Unique complexity with honey and smoky profile."

9.1 (50)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumBarbados BRS

Bristol Rockley Still

RX5776   1986   26yr   46%

"Complex, fruity, with sherry and honey notes."

8.8 (39)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumRockley Still

Plantation Extreme No. 5

RX12816   1986   35yr   55,1%

"Unique honey, tea, and mango blend rum."

8.7 (26)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlantation Extreme No. 5

Planteray Barbados High Ester WLP Foundation

RX21760   2022   2yr   59%

"Bold, tropical, and intriguingly high ester delight."

8.4 (74)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlanteray Barbados High Ester WLP Foundation

Cave Guildive Barbados Rum

RX1865   2000   17yr   56%

"Unique Barbados Rum with smoky, honey, whisky notes."

8.4 (46)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumBarbados Rum

Bristol Rockley Still

RX3769   1986   12yr   46%

"Classic Rockley: smoky, sweet, and well-balanced."

8.4 (19)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumRockley Still

RA Barbados Rum (Rockley Style)

RX7785   2000   21yr   47,1%

"Distinct rum with evolving, nuanced character."

8.3 (60)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumRum Artesanal Barbados Rum (Rockley Style)

Kill Devil

RX11149   2000   21yr   51,3%

"Uniquely floral and woody with a balanced taste."

8.3 (38)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumKill Devil

Plantation Extreme No. 5

RX12611   2000   21yr   47,8%

"Rich honey notes with a subtle smoky twist."

8.3 (35)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlantation Extreme No. 5

Swell de Spirits Flashback Series 2-07

RX15671   1996   61,9%

"Bold, woody, and rich in character."

8.2 (51)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumFlashback Series 2-07

Plantation Barbados 2007 (Extreme No. 5)

RX12498   2007   14yr   58%

"Elegant Barbados rum with tropical, nuanced charm."

8.1 (74)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlantation Barbados 2007 (Extreme No. 5)

Plantation Extra Old XO 20th Anniversary

RX1   10yr - 15yr   40%

"Smooth, sweet, tropical classic with balanced charm."

8.0 (1,336)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlantation Extra Old XO 20th Anniversary

La ConfrĂ©rie du Rhum Stade’s Rum JAWS Barbados

RX20217   2022   56%

"Bold tropical notes with a Jamaican twist."

8.0 (80)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumStade’s Rum JAWS Barbados

Plantation One-Time Limited Edition

RX7714   2011   9yr   51,1%

"Bold, spicy Barbados rum with refined complexity."

8.0 (80)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlantation One-Time Limited Edition

Plantation Barbados Vintage

RX1520   2005   13yr   42,8%

"Sweet, rounded; dried fruit and woody essence."

8.0 (34)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlantation Barbados Vintage

Plantation Barbados One-Time Limited 20

RX13823   2013   9yr   50,2%

"Balanced sip with inviting spice and sweetness."

7.9 (55)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlantation Barbados One-Time Limited 20

Plantation Barbados XO (The Netherlands)

RX5287   48%

7.9 (24)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlantation Barbados XO (The Netherlands)

Plantation Barbados

RX10773   2014   7yr   50,1%

"Complex, fruity, with a smooth wine finish."

7.9 (17)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlantation Barbados

Planteray Barbade Foundation

RX21763   2004   20yr   55,5%

"Elegant, coconut-rich, classic Barbadian rum."

7.8 (24)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlanteray Barbade Foundation

Plantation Single Cask (Partizan Brewing Cask Finish)

RX3173   2012   7yr   48,2%

"Unique fusion of beer and rum flavors."

7.7 (16)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlantation Single Cask (Partizan Brewing Cask Finish)

Planteray Cut and Dry Coconut Rum

RX13104   40%

"Bold, natural coconut delight from Barbados."

7.5 (156)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlanteray Cut and Dry Coconut Rum

Planteray PXXO 20th Anniversary Rum

RX21905   40%

"Sweet, coconut-forward rum with a sherry twist."

7.4 (26)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlanteray PXXO 20th Anniversary Rum

Plantation Barbados Single Cask VSOR 2022

RX13821   2016   5yr   44,9%

"Distinct Barbados rum with subtle port and spice."

7.4 (18)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlantation Barbados Single Cask VSOR 2022

N. Kröger Wagemut Special Edition Homebase 2021

RX9892   10yr   51,5%

"Fruity, wine-finished with a sharp edge."

7.3 (47)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumWagemut Special Edition Homebase 2021

Plantation Barbados 5 Years

RX133   5yr   40%

"Smooth, sweet, and versatile Caribbean delight."

7.2 (234)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlantation Barbados 5 Years

Plantation Riversaltes Wine Cask

RX17883   2014   9yr   48,3%

"Unique Barbados rum: spicy, sweet, wine-influenced profile."

7.2 (18)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlantation Riversaltes Wine Cask

Planteray Barbados 2017 (Adriatico Amaretto Cask) Barrel Swap Collection

RX22108   2017   7yr   41,4%

7.2 (17)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlanteray Barbados 2017 (Adriatico Amaretto Cask) Barrel Swap Collection

Fassbind AG Secret Treasures Old Barbados

RX6229   1986   14yr   40%

"Mild citrus flavors, but quite diluted."

7.1 (27)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumSecret Treasures Old Barbados

Plantation Grande Réserve

RX65   1yr - 3yr   40%

"Bright, tropical-sweet, and versatile—truly inviting."

7.0 (338)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlantation Grande Réserve

Planteray Black Cask (Barbados & Paraguay) 2024

RX21988   40%

"Sweet, spiced, and tropical – a real crowd pleaser."

7.0 (30)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlanteray Black Cask (Barbados & Paraguay)

Plantation Barbados (Arran single malt scotch whisky cask)

RX17889   2013   10yr   51,2%

"Elegant fusion of Barbados sweetness with perfectly subtle whisky character."

6.9 (54)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumPlantation Barbados (Arran single malt scotch whisky cask)

Cockspur XO Masters Select

RX1291   43%

6.9 (17)
Image of the front of the bottle of the rumCockspur XO Masters Select

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7.9/10
3,903 reviews

Flavour profile of West Indies

Most frequently mentioned flavors

Aroma

Vanilla Coconut Woody Caramel

Taste

Vanilla Woody Honey Sweet

Finish

Woody Vanilla Caramel Spice

What people are saying


Popular independent bottlers of West Indies


About the West Indies distillery

The West Indies distillery is located in Barbados. Rums from West Indies have been reviewed 3,903 times with an average of 7.9/10.


All rums from West Indies

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