West Indies
West Indies Rum Distillery — Barbados icon of craftsmanship, heritage and innovation
West Indies Rum Distillery stands as a Barbados benchmark since 1893, uniting time‑honored methods with modern precision. With both pot and column distillation, the distillery delivers the island’s signature balance of coconut, vanilla, spice and clean oak—equally at home in neat pours and classic cocktails.
On RumX, 4,119 community reviews place the median at 7.9/10. Fans highlight Plantation/Planteray XO 20th Anniversary for smooth, polished sipping, while Barbados 5 Years and Grande Réserve offer accessible value. Curiosity peaks with High Ester WLP releases and innovative cask finishes (from cognac to single malt). Some note sweetness in select bottlings; many praise consistency, craft and versatility across the range.
Popular rums from West Indies
Top rated rums from West Indies
RA Barbados Rum Rockley Style BBR 1986
1986 34yr 53,7%
honeyed, smoky, tropical complexity
Duncan Taylor Single Cask Rum BRS 1986
1986 25yr 52,7%
Complex, smoky, and distinctively Barbadian.
RA Barbados Rum (Rockley Style) 2000
2000 21yr 47,1%
Honeyed, smoky Rockley, mild and characterful
Plantation Extreme No. 5 2000
2000 21yr 47,8%
Rich honey notes with a subtle smoky twist.
Swell de Spirits Flashback Series 2-07 1996
1996 61,9%
Coconut-vanilla heat, roasted wood
Plantation Barbados 2007 (Extreme No. 5) 2007
2007 14yr 58%
Vanilla-coconut Barbados with spicy oak
Plantation One-Time Limited Edition 2011
2011 9yr 51,1%
Spice-forward Barbados, great nose and value
Boozehounds Double Retorts Double Retorts Barbados 2000 West Indies Rum Distillery WIRD 24 Years 70cl 52,3%Vol 2000
2000 24yr 52,3%
Distinctly smoky, dry, and creamy with quirky whisky echoes.
Plantation Barbados One-Time Limited 20 2013
2013 9yr 50,2%
Smooth vanilla-coconut Barbados crowd-pleaser
Plantation Barbados (Port Cask) 2015
2015 8yr 47,2%
Smooth, slightly sweet, with well-blended spice and wood.
Plantation Barbados Single Cask VSOR 2022 2016
2016 5yr 44,9%
Distinct Barbados rum with subtle port and spice.
Plantation Riversaltes Wine Cask 2014
2014 9yr 48,3%
Unique Barbados rum: spicy, sweet, wine-influenced profile.
Fassbind AG Secret Treasures Old Barbados 1986
1986 14yr 40%
Mild citrus flavors, but quite diluted.
Flavour profile of West Indies
Most frequently mentioned flavors
RumX users value West Indies for approachable, well‑blended Barbados profiles—vanilla, coconut, light oak and spice—paired with fair pricing and cocktail flexibility. XO 20th Anniversary earns frequent praise for smooth balance, while High Ester WLP editions impress with vibrant esters and longer finishes. Community sentiment notes occasional sweetness in certain releases, yet overall sees a dependable distillery delivering everyday sippers, mixable rums and standout limited casks, including revered Rockley‑style expressions.
Frequently Asked Questions about West Indies
Popular independent bottlers of West Indies
- Maison Ferrand 103 rums
- N. Kröger 5 rums
- Bristol Classic Rum 5 rums
- Pellegrini 5 rums
- Cadenhead‘s 4 rums
- The Scotch Malt Whisky Society 4 rums
- Heinz Eggert GmbH 3 rums
- Duncan Taylor 3 rums
About the West Indies distillery
The West Indies distillery is located in Barbados. Rums from West Indies have been reviewed 4,161 times with an average of 7.9/10.
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All rums from West Indies
- West Indies Plantation Extra Old XO 20th Anniversary 10yr - 15yr 40% RX1
- West Indies Plantation Grande Réserve 1yr - 3yr 40% RX65
- West Indies Plantation Barbados 5 Years 5yr 40% RX133
- West Indies Planteray Cut and Dry Coconut Rum 40% RX13104
- West Indies Planteray Barbados High Ester WLP Foundation 2022 2yr 59% RX21760
- La Confrérie du Rhum West Indies Stade’s Rum JAWS Barbados 2022 56% RX20217
- West Indies Plantation One-Time Limited Edition 2011 9yr 51,1% RX7714
- West Indies Plantation Barbados 2007 (Extreme No. 5) 2007 14yr 58% RX12498
Want to find out more?
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