When rum geeks ask, "Where's the best place to buy rum in the Caribbean?" the answer is complicated. Part 1 of this two-part series is a deep dive on the topic.
In 2019 while visiting Hampden, in their tiny visitor center they had 2 bottles of the original Great House Distillery Edition (the first of the series). They told me they were the last 2 they had left so I bought them both. Came to find out there were only 3000 made mostly for special events in Europe. Got lucky that day! Other than that, nothing found anywhere other than Kingston 62, that I couldn’t find at home.
Flying home from Grand Cayman in February, I was delighted to find some well priced rums in the Duty Free store next to our gate. This was the first time I found any real value from a duty free. Ended up with Worthy Park Single Estate 2006 (12 year aged) for less than half the US store price. And the shopping could have continued.
Coming from Kansas (a “3-tier state”, antiquated liquor laws) I often treat trips to other states (especially CHI for Binny’s!) like a trip to the Antilles and stock up on what I can’t get at home. I won’t steal your thunder but not only the fact you can buy distillery only expressions, you can taste literally everything on hand some places 🤑 Thanks again for your Martinique recommendations, brother.
In 2019 while visiting Hampden, in their tiny visitor center they had 2 bottles of the original Great House Distillery Edition (the first of the series). They told me they were the last 2 they had left so I bought them both. Came to find out there were only 3000 made mostly for special events in Europe. Got lucky that day! Other than that, nothing found anywhere other than Kingston 62, that I couldn’t find at home.
Flying home from Grand Cayman in February, I was delighted to find some well priced rums in the Duty Free store next to our gate. This was the first time I found any real value from a duty free. Ended up with Worthy Park Single Estate 2006 (12 year aged) for less than half the US store price. And the shopping could have continued.
Coming from Kansas (a “3-tier state”, antiquated liquor laws) I often treat trips to other states (especially CHI for Binny’s!) like a trip to the Antilles and stock up on what I can’t get at home. I won’t steal your thunder but not only the fact you can buy distillery only expressions, you can taste literally everything on hand some places 🤑 Thanks again for your Martinique recommendations, brother.