If you thought Rihanna was the national treasure of Barbados, think again. The pop princess may be a prized native, but the true Bajan beauty is rum—in particular, Mount Gay Rum. I recently jetted off to the former British isle to experience a weekend of great food, even greater weather, and spirit-drenched good times. A visit to the Mount Gay distillery kicked off the festivities. The distillery, located in the St. Lucy parish, is the alleged birthplace of rum some 300 years ago. Master blender Allen Smith makes the intricate process of fusing Barbadian sugarcane, molasses, and filtered water sound amazingly D.I.Y.
Legend would have us believe that incoming sailors would stock up on rum for proof of their visit to the island, having survived the treacherous waters and coral reefs encircling it. I was able to witness the island’s continued love aff air with sailing during the 2012 Round Barbados Race, one of the most prestigious regattas on the island. (The most skilled sailors attain the exclusive red cap embroidered with the name and year of the regatta; I fit nowhere in that description, but the team graciously gave me one.) The day spent on the V.I.P. spectator boat, coasting the waters, was magnificent.
For a night escapade, make sure to visit Oistins. It’s a fish fry meets dance party, alfresco style. You’ll move to the best Caribbean and contemporary sounds, as well as enjoy some of the freshest catch on the planet (I can still taste the perfectly grilled mahimahi). Venture to the Mount Gay Visitors Centre. It’s not a tourist trap, but an experience showing the conceptualization and making of popular blends like the superior Extra Old (my favorite) and 1703 Old Cask Selection. To take a little piece of this paradise home, you can buy any selection from the portfolio on-site.
The night before I departed, I returned to the Visitors Centre and found it transformed into a hot spot by the local Bajans, which proved that they know the makings of a good time. Barbados’ tagline appropriately claims the country as “The Official Ambassador of How To Live Life”. That’s truth in advertising.
