River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery: A Step Back in Time
Discover Grenada's oldest rum distillery, where traditional methods and a historic waterwheel create potent, organic rum since 1785.
River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery, nestled in the northeastern parish of St. Patrick, Grenada, has been hand-crafting spirits since 1785. This historic estate provides an authentic glimpse into the island's rum-making heritage. As Grenada's oldest functioning rum distillery, it offers a unique experience where tradition meets craftsmanship. The estate produces some of the Caribbean's finest and most sought-after rums, using methods unchanged for centuries. The art of rum production here is a labor of love, powered by a traditional waterwheel and made from 100% organic, locally grown sugarcane. The distillery is the only operational water-driven distillery in the Eastern Caribbean. The mill crushes the cane to extract the juice using the power of the water wheel. The boiler which distills the fermented juice is fueled by bagasse, the solid residue from the cane crusher. A tour of River Antoine Estate takes you on a journey through the rum-making process, from harvesting sugarcane to bottling the famous River Antoine Rum. You'll witness the original waterwheel in action and learn about fermentation and distillation. At the end of the tour, sample the estate’s signature high-proof varieties. The estate dates back to 1656 when Antoine, a Frenchman, acquired the 500-acre plantation. It was later sold to Captain Grant, an Englishman, in 1724. In 1786, John Glean and Thomas Degale became the new owners until 1988, when three Grenadians purchased the estate, including Lake Antoine and the River Antoine Rum distillery.
Local tips
- Wear comfortable walking shoes to explore the distillery grounds.
- Bring a hat and sunscreen for protection from the sun.
- Arrive early to avoid crowds and fully experience the tour.
- Sample the signature rums in the tasting room after the tour.
A brief summary to River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery
- 59GR+8J, Tivoli, GD
- +1473-442-7109
- Monday 9 am-5 pm
- Tuesday 9 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 9 am-5 pm
- Thursday 9 am-5 pm
- Friday 9 am-5 pm
Getting There
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Public Transport
To reach River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery via public transportation, find a local bus or minivan heading towards Grenville. Board the bus at any of the main bus stops in Saint Patrick, and pay a fare of around $2-$3 EC ($0.75-$1.25 USD). Once you arrive at Grenville, you will need to transfer to another minibus heading towards Tivoli. This second leg of the trip will cost you an additional $2 EC. Inform the driver that you are going to River Antoine Estate. The distillery is located a short walk from the bus stop in Tivoli.
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Car
If you are traveling by car, start from any point in Saint Patrick and head towards the main road (Grenada's Western Main Road). Navigate towards the north until you reach the junction at Grenville. At the junction, take a left turn onto the road leading to Tivoli. Continue for approximately 15 minutes until you see signs for River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery, which will be on your right-hand side. There's parking available at the distillery.
