THE RUM & sugar COLLECTION

17TH CENTURY BARBADOS, THE BIRTHPLACE OF RUM.

Barbados is often referenced as the birthplace of rum, where rum distillation techniques were refined to produce a commercial product. In the 17th Century sugarcane plantations in the Caribbean, particularly in Barbados, became a major source of sugar for Europe. A byproduct of sugar production, molasses, was initially considered waste. During the 1600’s slaves on these plantations discovered that molasses could be fermented and distilled into an alcoholic beverage. This discovery was a gateway to rum’s global popularity. In a few years the sugar barons of Barbados became some of the richest in the world. Mount Gay is considered the world's oldest commercial rum distillery, 1703.

Dan had the pleasure of photographing the historic distillery and the Mount Gay brand, along with other outstanding locally made brands.