River Antoine Rum Distillery

The River Antoine Estate is home to the oldest rum distillery in Grenada, where the originaly owners began producing rum in 1785. Today's owners continue the tradition, serving as a huge part of the Grenadine culture and history and offering a glimpse into the production of one of the country’s most famous exports.
Visitors can learn about and witness the process of production, from the initial picking of the sugarcane plant, which is compressed by a water wheel and boiled, to the fermentation and distilling processes. The site's water wheel is actually the oldest in the whole of the Caribbean. Of course there are opportunities to sample and taste the famous finished product, which is completely organic.  
River Antoine rum is made entirely from the sugarcane juice during Grenada’s dry season (January to May) and supplemented with molasses in the wet season (June to December). Two different strengths are produced here, one of which is illegal to bring on a plane home, as it contains more than 70 percent alcohol!

Practical Info

The River Antoine Rum Distillery is located on the northeast coast of Grenada island, about an hour away by car from St. George’s. Lake Antoine, which powers the water wheel, is nearby and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A guided tour of the distillery costs EC $5 (East Caribbean dollars) and includes a sampling of rum.