In Pursuit of Excellence
In Pursuit of Excellence
Grenada Distillers
T
Distilling Grenada one bottle at a time
he origin of the word rum is unclear.
A common claim is that the name was
derived from rumbullion meaning “a
great tumult or uproar”. Another claim is
the name is from the large drinking glasses
used by Dutch seamen known as rummers,
from the Dutch word roemer, a drinking glass.
Other options include contractions of the
words saccharum, Latin for sugar, or arôme,
French for aroma. Regardless of the original
source, the name came into common use.
Grenada Distillers Ltd., with its flagship
the Clarke’s Court Brand, is the definition
of spirited (pun intended) Grenadian
entrepreneurship, steeped in history, industry
and good-old fashioned hard work.
The name Clarke’s Court dates back to the
1700s as a portion of the then Woodlands
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Estate was named after a former owner of the
Estate – Gedney Clarke Esq. and the adjoining
bay named Courts Bay by Dutch Colonists.
The present day makers of Clarke’s Court
Rum began operations in 1937 and are still
the largest and best-known distillery on the
island.
In addition to the twenty odd products
available from Grenada Distillers Ltd., visitors
can tour the factory located at Woodlands, St.
George. The processes of distilling, blending
and aging are explained on the tour. The
15-minute tour includes viewing of old steam
engines, some dating as far back as 1886. The
tour ends at Nick’s Barrel House, also known
as the Hospitality Center, where sampling
and purchasing of the wide range of products
are encouraged. Rum Recipes showing the
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versatile uses of the Clarke’s Court Rums
are also available to visitors. The Hospitality
Center is adorned with furniture unique to the
Grenada Distillers Ltd. The ‘barrel furniture’
as it is sometimes referred to, is made from
old oak barrels that were previously used for
aging and storage. Barrel furniture can be
ordered and custom-made to meet customers’
needs.
While Clarke’s Court Pure White Rum remains
the most identifiable and popular of all the
Clarke’s Court Rums, Grenada Distillers
Ltd boasts a wide range of products that will
find favour with consumers across a broad
spectrum of tastes. Clarke’s Courts products
can be placed into six categories – Premium
Rums, Dark Rums, White Rums, Flavoured
Rums, Overproof Rums and Liqueurs.
PREMIUM RUMS
(Black Gold, Old Grog, Clarke’s Court #37) DARK RUMS
(Special Dark Rum, Exotic Spicy Rum) WHITE RUMS
(Pure White, Superior Light Rum, Pure Jab)
As the name suggests these Rums represent
the ultimate in aged perfection, comparable
to any of the other premium brands available
worldwide. The Premium Rums are a great
way to make an impression – they are fantastic
gifts that would be sure to leave a lasting
impression. Nutmeg, coined Grenada’s Black
Gold by a former Prime Minister, has been
used in combination with premium Grenadian
rum, to create Black Gold Rum; while Old
Grog was named in remembrance of the finest
spirits stored and shipped in casks marked
GROG (Georgius Rex Old Grenada). #37 was
launched in 2010 to commemorate the 300th
Anniversary of the Town of St George’s. Special Dark Rum received a high degree of
popularity in the not too distant past when the
new organic name, Flanker was birthed. The
trendy name influenced a whole new audience
to enjoy this mellow, golden rum. As the name
suggest Exotic Spicy Rum is a blend of locally
grown spices that captures the authentic taste
of the Isle of Spice! Clarke’s Court Pure White Rum is the flagship
of Grenada Distillers Ltd. It continues to be
Grenada’s most popular rum, both for local
consumption and export. Even at 69 % alcohol
by volume it is versatile: used in punches, as
an excellent mixer and also be used as a food
preservative. Clarke’s Court Superior Light
Rum is the highest and most awarded of all
the rums produced by Grenada Distillers Ltd.
It is light and mellow and certainly targeted to
the consumer with a milder palate. The third
of the white rums, Pure Jab, encapsulates the
fervour of Grenada’s most distinct Carnival
character, the Jab Jab, the energy of Cultural
Ambassador, Tallpree and the heritage of a
proud cultural people.
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