West Indies
There are 150 rums from the West Indies distillery in the RumX database.
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.
Community author: mto75
Popular independent bottlers of West Indies
- Maison Ferrand 47 rums
- Selected Cask Community 5 rums
- Pellegrini 5 rums
- Bristol Classic Rum 5 rums
- Cadenhead‘s 4 rums
- The Rum Cask 3 rums
- Moon Import 3 rums
- Liquid Gold 3 rums
Flavour profile of West Indies
With RumX you can record your tasting impressions. The RumX community has discovered the following flavor profile:
Nosing impressions
Taste impressions
Finish
What are recent discussions about this rum?
We found the following relevant discussions on the RumX Community Forum. Check out what the community has in mind and share your thoughts:
Top rated rums from West Indies
RX7784
Top review from Johannes
"Benchmark Rockley! ❤️A liquid dream!Compared to the SS, Nobilis and Plantation, it has both the best nose and the best palate. Very nice roundness, alcohol top integrated, some smoke, but overall a honey monster!"
RX3896
Top review from Jakob
"Absolute royalty from Barbados - the "Rockley" style reaches its highest form of art here. Smoke, honey, fresh fruit, plus green notes - all this with perfectly integrated alcohol and without ever developing any form of heaviness. In one form: Formidable."
RX1028
Top review from Zucker und Zeste
"Ich fand ihn etwas frischer als den Rum Artesanal, dafür war dieser noch eine ganz kleine Spur komplexer und reifer. Bei beiden Abfüllungen ist es erstaunlich wie genial Alkohol in einen Rum eingebunden sein kann."
RX9395
Top review from Johannes
"In direct comparison to the RA, SS and Plantation, it does not seem quite as intense and can not quite keep up with the top 3. Nevertheless, still a high, exceptional quality!"
RX5776
Top review from Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰
"This is a rum where the nose is significantly different from the palate. Not a bad rum. It has a bite and a short kind of sweet finish. I'd say the price tag is OK. "
RX2782
Top review from Dom M
"A 2000 WIRD to my liking. Feels a bit more harsh than some other bottlings, however delivers a nice intensity without the faint watered down sensation I experienced with some other bottlers."
RX4634
Top review from Oliver
"Wunderbar integrierter Alkohol. Ein Erlebnis!"
RX12816
Top review from mto75
"glad to have tasted this 🦄. From memory, I would say the RA 1986 WIRD was even more on honey and smoky notes. The Plantation has a broader fruit palette to offer, with mango, papaya and green tea. Distilled exclusively on the Gregg farm, it is idle to argue whether this makes it a 'real' Rockley...."
RX1245
Top review from Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰
"A wonderful rum truly true to its origin on Barbados. Fruity and herbal with some caramel and chocolate. A very well balance and complex rum. Should have bought a few extra bottles."
RX5360
Top review from Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰
"This one was like a hammer when it comes to flavour and I had to add a bit of water to release alle the flavours. Not that it's needed, but it will give you a wider spectrum of flavours. The nose is fruity with smoke, herbs, vanilla and waxes. Without water it will bite your nose a bit. The palate has some sweetness to it with fruits, vanilla, nuts, caramel and honey. I also get wax and a medicinal note that reminds me of iodine. The finish is long and warm with vanilla and herbal notes and again the same medicinal note. Again it doesn't really need water, but it does release more flavours."
RX3490
Top review from Oliver
"Smoky, intense and honey. This one is really fun!"
RX15671
Top review from Mike H.
"I didn’t take any notes at the Rhum Fest so a more detailed review will follow as soon as I get the chance to sample this rum again in a better context."
RX1865
Top review from Zucker und Zeste
"Er ist weniger komplex als die 86er Abfüllungen und hat nicht so eine ausgeprägte Honignote. Auch merkt man die geringere Lagerzeit, der Alkohol ist zwar extrem gut, aber eben ein wenig schlechter eingebunden als bei den beiden getesteten 86er Abfüllungen. Aber ein wunderschöner Rum."
RX3769
Top review from Pavel Spacek
"I sooo much love Rockley. But 45% decrease the taste a lot... should be 95/100 :("
RX5776
Top review from Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰
"This is a rum where the nose is significantly different from the palate. Not a bad rum. It has a bite and a short kind of sweet finish. I'd say the price tag is OK. "
RX1245
Top review from Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰
"A wonderful rum truly true to its origin on Barbados. Fruity and herbal with some caramel and chocolate. A very well balance and complex rum. Should have bought a few extra bottles."
RX3490
Top review from Oliver
"Smoky, intense and honey. This one is really fun!"
RX1865
Top review from Zucker und Zeste
"Er ist weniger komplex als die 86er Abfüllungen und hat nicht so eine ausgeprägte Honignote. Auch merkt man die geringere Lagerzeit, der Alkohol ist zwar extrem gut, aber eben ein wenig schlechter eingebunden als bei den beiden getesteten 86er Abfüllungen. Aber ein wunderschöner Rum."
RX7785
Top review from Zucker und Zeste
"The Cave Guildive is more complex and powerful in comparison. The RA seems somewhat watered down by the 47.1%. The finish is extremely long and beautiful. Reminds me of a Fiji rum. The typical honey note is there, but not quite as present."
RX7627
Top review from Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰
"Despite the age of only 6 years Plantation has managed to create a nicely balanced and full body rum. A delightful nose with spices and fruit and a palate that is sweet, well rounded and medium complex. The finish has spices and fruits to it with a bit of pear. Price to quality is very good. "
RX11281
Top review from Dom M
"PX finish and 2000 WIRD does work well overall. However I do prefer the plain, unaltered versions of this rum."
RX1
Top review from Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰
"Delicious and a lot of tropical fruit. Vanilla is coming through in this one and it sticks for a while.A super rum to sit and sip with your friends.A very good beginners rum in my mind,"
RX5287
Top review from Gregor
"Sehr lecker nach tonkabohne schmeckend"
RX11345
Top review from Frank
"Ein kleiner Exot… Nase: wow, super vielschichtig. Fruchtig, würzig , rauchig, süßlich. Von allem etwas. Zu Beginn noch etwas alkoholische Schärfe und überraschend der Geruch von After Eight, gefolgt von einer herben Ahornsirup-Süße. Dahinter kalter, süßlicher Rauch und altes, verkohlte Holz. An Frucht etwas alte Zitrone und grüner Apfel. Hinten raus Leder und Vanille-Pulver. Gaumen: auch am Gaumen ist diese After Eight-Note präsent, vielleicht etwas zu stark. Zunächst bitter. After Eight geht in etwa! künstliches, Jod-haltiges über; durchaus nicht angenehm. Die Fruchtigkeit kommt eher von herber Bergamotte. Die Würzigkeit eher von Kümmel. Erinnert auch an Retsina. Schade, der Nase hätte ich 85 gegeben, dem Gaumen jedoch nur 71. Da hatte ich auf mehr gehofft."
RX10773
Top review from Jarek
"Zucker 0 g/l"
RX13823
Top review from TheRhumhoe
"A classic Barbados rum with its notes of coconut and caramel, sweet spices, chocolate and dried fruits. The attack in the mouth is very smooth for the 50 proof, with a hint of coffee and nuts. The finish is of medium length, warm and spicy, woody, vanilla and chocolate with a hint of fruit. A rum without extravagance, simple, greedy and effective."
RX3296
Top review from Stefan Persson
"The nose and palate is a little bit weak and the finish is medium long. It isn’t as complex as and can’t really compete with other Bajan rums with similar aging. But the quite low price makes it very price worthy and makes it a very competitive everyday rum."
RX1291
Top review from crazyforgoodbooze
"Extrem wässrig leider. Da kann der vsor cockspur mehr überraschenderweise... Sehr schade."
RX65
Top review from Stefan Persson
"Better than expected! Good value for money!"
About the West Indies distillery
The distillery West Indies is located in Barbados. Rums from West Indies have been reviewed 2,083 times with an average of 8.0/10.
All rums from West Indies
- Whiskybroker West Indies, 2000, 17yr, 51,8% RX2526
- Whiskybroker West Indies, 2000, 16yr, 57,6% RX2782
- Whisky & Rhum West Indies L‘Esprit, 2000, 12yr, 57,7% RX4069
- Whisky & Rhum West Indies L‘Esprit, 2000, 12yr, 46% RX6406
- West Indies Stade’s Rum Bond No8, 43% RX13699
- West Indies Stade’s Rum Beach Vat No 1, 43% RX12954
- West Indies S.B.S Barbados, 2000, 16yr, 54% RX1293
- West Indies S.B.S Barbados PX Cask Finish, 2000, 21yr, 47,1% RX11281
- West Indies Rum Artesanal Barbados Rum Rockley Style BBR, 1986, 34yr, 53,7% RX7784
- West Indies Rum Artesanal Barbados Rum (Rockley Style), 2000, 21yr, 47,1% RX7785
- West Indies Plantation Very Special Old Rum, 2016, 5yr, 44,8% RX14368
- West Indies Plantation Ukraine charity, 2022, 7yr, 51,7% RX12991
- West Indies Plantation Single Cask (Partizan Brewing Cask Finish), 2012, 7yr, 48,2% RX3173
- West Indies Plantation Single Cask (Partizan Brewing Cask Finish), 2012, 7yr, 48,2% RX10341
- West Indies Plantation Rum Single Cask 2018 THE SOURCE, 40,8% RX7119
- West Indies Plantation One Time Limited Edition, 2011, 9yr, 51,1% RX7714
- West Indies Plantation Old Reserve, 2000, 9yr, 42% RX1599
- West Indies Plantation Old Reserve, 1991, 11yr, 45% RX2492
- West Indies Plantation Maury Wine Cask Finish (Single Cask 2022), 2011, 50% RX14465
- West Indies Plantation Malbec Wine Cask Finish, 2014, 7yr, 49,9% RX10819
- West Indies Plantation Grande Réserve, 1yr - 3yr, 40% RX65
- West Indies Plantation Finished 9 months in Maury wine cask (LDQM), 2011, 10yr, 48,1% RX14564
- West Indies Plantation Extreme No. 5, 2007, 14yr, 58% RX12498
- West Indies Plantation Extreme No. 5, 2000, 21yr, 47,8% RX12611
- West Indies Plantation Extreme No. 5, 1986, 36yr, 55,1% RX12816
- West Indies Plantation Extra Old XO 20th Anniversary, 10yr - 15yr, 40% RX1
- West Indies Plantation Extra Old XO 20th Anniversary (Magnum), 40% RX13048
- West Indies Plantation Cut and Dry Coconut Rum, 40% RX13104
- West Indies Plantation Calvados Maturation, 2014, 41,3% RX7627
- West Indies Plantation Calvados Maturation (Gordon‘s), 2014, 6yr, 41,3% RX10340
- West Indies Plantation Barbados, 2014, 7yr, 50,1% RX10773
- West Indies Plantation Barbados, 2005, 13yr, 42,8% RX1520
- West Indies Plantation Barbados XO (The Netherlands), 48% RX5287
- West Indies Plantation Barbados Single Cask, 6yr, 48,2% RX6782
- West Indies Plantation Barbados Single Cask the Source, 2014, 6yr, 41,3% RX8112
- West Indies Plantation Barbados Single Cask VSOR 2022, 2016, 6yr, 44,9% RX13821
- West Indies Plantation Barbados One-Time Limited 20, 2013, 9yr, 50,2% RX13823
- West Indies Plantation Barbados Malbec Cask Finish (Huis Windels), 2014, 7yr, 50% RX11347
- West Indies Plantation Barbados 6 Years Old Single Cask, 2014, 6yr, 41,3% RX12163
- West Indies Plantation Barbados 5 Years, 6yr, 40% RX133
- West Indies Plantation Barbados 2015, 2015, 6yr, 47% RX13889
- West Indies Plantation Barbados 2015 (Julhes), 2015, 6yr, 44% RX13967
- West Indies Plantation Barbados 10yr (Oloroso sherry cask) Florida Rum Society, 10yr, 49,3% RX15035
- West Indies Plantation Barbados 10YO Oloroso Cask Finish (Vitis.Vin), 10yr, 59,6% RX11343
- West Indies Plantation Barbados 10YO Imperial Stout Cask Finish (Cave du Val Chaineux), 10yr, 48,7% RX11342
- West Indies Plantation Barbados 10YO - Stout Beer Cask Finish, 2011, 9yr, 49% RX11162
- West Indies Plantation Barbados 10YO (Oloroso Sherry Maturation), 9yr, 49,5% RX11687
- West Indies Plantation Barbados 10 YO, 9yr, 48,6% RX11367
- West Indies Plantation Barbados 10 YO (Oloroso Sherry), 2014, 10yr, 49,6% RX13166
- West Indies Plantation Barbados - Tiny Barrels, 7yr, 40,2% RX6829