River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery: A Step Back in Time

Visiting the River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery is like stepping back in time to witness a centuries-old tradition. Established in 1785, this distillery has remained largely unchanged, offering an authentic glimpse into Grenada's rum-making heritage. It is located in the northeastern parish of St. Patrick. The distillery is renowned for using the oldest functioning water wheel in the Caribbean to power its operations. This water wheel crushes the locally grown sugarcane to extract the juice, which is then processed using traditional methods. The boiler, which distills the fermented juice, is fueled by bagasse, the solid residue from the cane crusher. The rum-making process at River Antoine Estate is a labor of love, with every step, from harvesting the sugarcane to bottling the final product, done by hand. The estate produces some of the finest and most sought-after rums in the Caribbean, known for their potency and rich flavor. Visitors can witness the original waterwheel in action, learn about the fermentation and distillation processes, and see how rum has been made the traditional way for over 200 years. At the end of the tour, there is an opportunity to sample the estate's signature rums. Very little of the rum is exported from Grenada. The distillery primarily produces crystal clear Royal Grenadian Rum, which comes in two strengths: 150 proof (75% alcohol) and 138 proof (69% alcohol).