By Alexander Britell

The boiler is smoldering, the smell of sugarcane alchemy pungent in the air, steps across the road from the beach.

There’s a reason, after all, why they call it Cane Garden Bay.

Here, in an old stone building in Tortola, is one of the most precious corners of the history of rum in the Caribbean, a fundament of the British Virgin Islands’ cultural heritage.

There’s a reason it’s called Cane Garden Bay.

This is the Callwood Rum Distillery, a sugarcane plantation and distillery whose history of rummaking dates back some 400 years.

This place has survived for four centuries, with a brief interruption last year thanks to the installation of a new roof, until, four months after Irma, it was back in operation.

It just might be the oldest working rum distillery in the Caribbean.

The coal-fired boiler still smolders, with worn casks of rum aging up the rocky staircase, walls filled with hand-bottled Arundel rum.

They make just 25 gallons a day here, using the pure cane juice they grow right here on the plantation.

Arundel is the product, a funky, raw rum that is a treasure of the BVI.

Michael, who runs the place by day, offers a tasting of Arundel’s four rums: the unaged white, the four-year rum, the 10-year blend and the, well, boldly named spiced “horny rum,” which, well, you can figure out its character.

The 10-year is the clear winner, with the sort of funk you expect from a cane-juice-based distillate, raw and real, with colorful notes of candied fruit. It’s the one to take back with you.

The “boiler,” a coal-powered still, churns away in Tortola.

It’s a remarkable place to walk around, with a palpable sense of wonder and mystery, a dusty corner of rum lore, a largely forgotten distillery whose rums seldom make it beyond Beef Island Airport.

It’s an important, venerable stop on the pilgrimage map for rum lovers.

The rums are well-priced, $20 for the 10-year, and there are tastings, too, just $1 a piece for a taste of all four rums.

Or, as Michael plainly puts it.

“Where else can you get drunk for a dollar?”

Callwood is open daily Monday-Friday.

— CJ

The post Rum Journal: Tortola’s Legendary Rum Distillery appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

One of the hottest new hotels in Mexico is adding a host of new offerings and initiatives, from culinary journeys to new sustainability drives.

The Andaz Mayakoba, set in the heart of the Riviera Maya, is adding new offers from the chance to learn to roll cigars to a dinner inspired by the ancient Mayans.

Andaz is Hyatt’s newest upscale brand, with the Mexican Caribbean outpost set in the heart of the chic Mayakoba private development.

“At Andaz Mayakoba we are always looking for unique ways to provide guests with experiences authentic to our modern Mexican setting and in keeping with our brand characteristics,” said General Manager Pascal Dupuis. “We can’t wait for guests to take advantage of our newest offerings and truly immerse themselves in our local culture.”

Andaz Mayakoba is also getting greener, with avocado-based straws in lieu of the plastic variety and a focus on coral reef guardianship.

The cigar rolling experience includes a private eclass taught by expert blender and Cuba native Don Pipe, along with cigar pairing tips for whskey, rum and tequila.

— CJ

The post What’s New at Andaz Mayakoba appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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… accumulate an accurate count.
The Puerto Rican government along with George Washington … , Trump recently falsely claimed that Puerto Rico didn’t have electricity before … ongoing yet inaccurate sense that Puerto Ricans aren’t “real” Americans and …

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By Caribbean News Now contributor KINGSTOWN, St Vincent — Following the recent evacuation by the US government of 23 Peace Corps volunteers from St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) at short notice due to a “specific safety reason”, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves has denied allegations that their safety was threatened by what is said […]

The post St Vincent PM denies existence of local ‘Mongoose Gang’ appeared first on Caribbean News Now.

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By Melanius Alphonse Caribbean News Now associate editor melanius@caribbeannewsnow.com CASTRIES, St Lucia — The health care crisis in Saint Lucia is a major subject on the minds of Saint Lucians all week heading into Sunday, September 9, 2018, the anniversary of the fire at the ill-fated St Jude Hospital, and the protest march and rally […]

The post Health care crisis focus of planned protest march in St Lucia appeared first on Caribbean News Now.

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