Today, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) under its El Dorado Rum brand presented a CARICOM 50th Anniversary Special Blend to the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and CARICOM Chair, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the CARICOM Secretary General, Her Excellency Dr. Carla Barnett.
As part of the commemorative activities for CARICOM’s 50th Anniversary, members of the West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers Association (WIRSPA), have collaborated in developing specially curated rum to honour the achievements of the Caribbean Community over the past 50 years. DDL is joining producers in all rum producing Caricom member states, that are members of the regional grouping, to present their products to national governments during the month of June.
DDL’s blend is a unique combination drawn from three unique heritage stills, namely the Uitvlugt French Savalle Still, the Diamond Coffey Still and the Port Mourant Double Wooden Pot Still. The rum provides rich notes of banana, honey and cantaloupe melons. On the palate, enjoy leathery, cigar notes with vanilla undertones on the finish.
During the handover ceremony held at State House, Mr. Komal Samaroo, Chairman of DDL, remarked, “This is a blend of three unique rums produced from three different stills, coming together to create an extraordinary blend. Similar to CARICOM, individually we are all great countries, but when meshed together, we become extraordinary.” Chairman Samaroo also emphasised that while Caribbean rum brands are known worldwide to be the best in the rum category, rum producers should not be complacent.
In a similar vein, His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, highlighted that Guyana and the Caribbean region has a long and rich tradition in quality products. He added “I want to congratulate DDL for your continuous championing of quality. We are proud of this and we want to see the company and the industry grow from strength to strength” His Excellency also noted that exports of bottled rum and spirits earned Guyana almost $35M US and bulk alcohol brought in export revenue of $19.2 Million US dollars which speaks to the magnitude of the Industry in Guyana
This presentation to the government of Guyana will be followed by a presentation of the full set of thirteen expressions to Heads of Government at their next meeting in Grenada in July 2024. This regional presentation will mark a highlight of the region’s 50th anniversary commemoration. These products showcase the remarkable diversity of Caribbean rum through the common theme of the region’s achievements over the past 50 years.
Also speaking at the event, CARICOM Secretary-General H.E Dr. Carla Barnett, highlighted the significance of rum in the region, “Our region holds some of the best distillers in the world and the premium quality from rum in Guyana has been a real winner of international awards. Rum is deeply rooted in the history of our society, going hand in hand with the sugar industry and serving as a significant economic driver for decades, contributing to foreign exchange inflows, employment, and tourism.”
Rum is perhaps the best-known Caribbean product, and the industry is well known for its quality, world class premium products. As a very successful export industry, and one linked to the region’s important tourism industry, the products also celebrate the achievements of the industry and its contribution to the regional economy, as the largest agri-based export product. The occasion also recognises how closely the industry has worked with regional governments to open export markets. This collaborative approach over many decades has enabled Caribbean rum to become the most sought-after rum in the international market.
Demerara Rum has been the core business of DDL for the past three centuries. In the 17th century, there were over 300 distilleries producing their own unique rums, with the passage of time, only nine consolidated distilleries remained active. Today, these old original stills, marques and expertise from those last nine remaining distilleries are housed at Demerara Distillers Limited’s Diamond Distillery – the last and only remaining distillery in Guyana.
Also in attendance were; Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, CARICOM Ambassadors; High Commissioner for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, H.E Conrad Enill, High Comissioner of Belize to Guyana, H.E. Gail Miller-Garnett, Chargé d’Affaires at the Honorary Consul for the Republic of Suriname in Georgetown, Ms. Lucille Starke-Esajas, Chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC), Ambassador Ivan Evelyn, Guyana’s Ambassador to CARICOM, George Talbot as well as other of staff from the CARICOM secretariat and the MoFAIC and members of the executive and management teams of DDL.
This limited-edition rum is produced strictly for this purpose and not available for sale.