Patrick Mayers, a Driving Force in Caribbean Rum, Passes Away
The Caribbean rum family recently lost one of its most respected and enduring champions. Patrick Mayers of Barbados passed away on April 8th, 2026, at age 84. He leaves a legacy inseparable from the modern evolution of Caribbean rum.
When we look at today’s vibrant landscape of Caribbean rum producers, it’s easy to forget how uncertain things were in the latter half of the 20th century as the British colonial system came to an end. Newly independent nations such as Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, Trinidad, and St. Lucia were striving to find their place in the global economy. At the time, most distilleries were largely invisible, selling bulk rum to blenders rather than building their own brands. Iconic brands that help define the category—El Dorado, Chairman’s Reserve, Foursquare, Worthy Park, Monymusk, and many more, simply didn’t exist.
To survive and ultimately thrive in this post-colonial era, the rum makers of CARICOM nations (mostly comprised of former British Caribbean colonies) pooled their individual resources to claim a seat at the global economic trade table. Unlike rum makers in Puerto Rico, the USVI, and the French Caribbean, which received tax breaks from their respective parent countries, CARICOM rum makers would have a decades-long journey to a level playing field, economically speaking.
Leading the way during a pivotal period were people like Patrick Mayers from Barbados, Yesu Persaud from Guyana, and Evon Brown from Jamaica. All headed major distilleries while also collaborating on issues of concern to rum makers in all CARICOM nations. It has been an honor for me to get to know each of them on a personal level and later interview them. A common thread in all our individual conversations was the deep respect and admiration they had for each other.
A Life in Rum
Patrick’s life extended well beyond rum, encompassing deep commitments to family, country, and community. Still, it is through the lens of rum that many of us came to know him.
Born during World War II, Patrick was the son of a Tate & Lyle employee. His own entry into the industry began as a rum store clerk at the West India Rum Refinery (WIRR), known today as the West Indies Rum Distillery, or Stade’s Rum Distillery.
At the time, WIRR was owned by Goddard Enterprises, a Barbados-based conglomerate with a stake in many island enterprises. Patrick rose quickly through Goddard’s ranks, including time as WIRR’s Managing Director, and was Goddard’s Deputy Managing Director when he retired.
During his tenure overseeing WIRR, several developments of lasting importance took place:
The distillery was renamed the West Indies Rum Distillery.
WIRR became a long-time supplier of rum to a then small brand called Malibu.
WIRR acquired a one-third stake in National Rums of Jamaica.
Yet Patrick’s most consequential work may have come through his involvement with the West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers’ Association, aka WIRSPA. Founded in 1971, WIRSPA became the central forum through which CARICOM producers coordinated their efforts. Patrick became involved early and would go on to serve as Chairman three times, spanning a total of 13 years.
Those of a certain age may remember NAFTA and the CBI (Caribbean Basin Initiative). Patrick represented WIRSPA’s members in US Congressional hearings, as well as during Lomé Convention negotiations, a series of trade and aid agreements between the European Economic Community (EEC) and African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) nations.
But it was Patrick’s third term, from 1998-2007, that may be his biggest legacy in the rum domain. This term spanned the inception and early years of the Caribbean Rum Sector Programme. Utilizing European Union-provided funding, many iconic rum makers, including Appleton Estate, St. Lucia Distillers, Foursquare, Mount Gay, Worthy Park, Hampden Estate, and many more, upgraded their equipment and processes to more effectively compete as premium, branded rum. It’s impossible to overstate how much this program changed the future trajectory of CARICOM rum makers, and Patrick was at the helm during the program’s inception and early years.
On a personal note, the Caribbean Rum Sector Programme facilitated my first trip to Jamaica’s rum distilleries in 2016. It was that experience that ignited a passion within me to travel to and thoroughly document today’s Caribbean rum industry. The end result, published ten years later, was my book, Modern Caribbean Rum. In that time, I also began serving as WIRSPA’s Community Envoy.
A Personal Note
After Patrick handed off the WIRSPA chairmanship to Frank Ward in 2007, he became Chairman Emeritus, which he took very seriously. After starting in the community envoy role, I also had many hour-long, wide-ranging phone calls with Patrick, covering past, present, and future subjects. His enthusiastic hellos still linger in my memory.
In 2023 I interviewed Patrick for WIRSPA’s Icon Series, which documents the stories of people who’ve played vital roles in Caribbean rum over the past 60 years. My interview with Patrick is on YouTube:
Patrick Mayers of West Indies Rum Distillery and WIRSPA Chairman Emeritus
I met Patrick twice in person while in Barbados. Our first meeting was in 2021 while COVID still had everyone on high alert. Patrick, his wife Ann, and I sat outside - a safe distance apart, getting to know each other for four hours. In 2023 I was finally able to meet Patrick and Ann at their home. Again, the hours flew by until we had to depart for another engagement.
With Patrick’s passing, I find myself thinking of his humble nature, his devotion to family and friends, and his willingness to serve others for the greater good. The Caribbean rum family will miss his quiet strength and generous spirit.
