Caribbean Cruise Part 4: Drinks in the Islands – AShapiro Studios

While the Caribbean does have many local products, much is imported. Partly due to the cost of transportation and partly because of the low-volume need, the cost of living can be very expensive in the islands. One area that does not carry a premium is in locally produced beverages. Time for a drink!

Beverages on the ship were nice - but just a taste of what I would find on the islands — Beverages on the ship were nice – but just a taste of what I would find on the islands

Distilled spirits around the world were, historically, produced from locally-sourced ingredients. Russia and Poland made their vodka from Potatoes. Ireland and Scotland makes their whisk(e)y from barley. French grapes become French wine. One of the larger crops in the Caribbean is sugar cane, which becomes rum.

At the John Watling's Rum Distillery on Nassau, a hand-cut well and water wheel are part of the decor. — At the John Watling’s Rum Distillery on Nassau, a hand-cut well and water wheel are part of the decor.

When I got off the ship in the Bahamas I had no plans at all. I had done no research. I had no idea what I’d find or who I’d meet, and it was a billboard on a bus stop bench that would influence a large part of my day. With my work in the spirit industry, the word “Distillery” called out to me like a beacon. The John Watling’s rum distillery on the island of Nassau would be my next stop.

The John Watling's Rum Distillery on Nassau is worth the walk up the hill — The John Watling’s Rum Distillery on Nassau is worth the walk up the hill

The distillery is fairly new, with the visitors’ center opening in April 2013. Built on the grounds of the legendary Buena Vista Estate, there is no distilling that happens on-site, but some maturation and all of the bottling does. Spread across a few acres, the picturesque facility features a few main structures, a water wheel, a hand-cut well and a stone wall that was featured in the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale.

A marker stands where James Bond leaped over a wall at the Buena Vista Estate, home to the John Watling's Rum Distillery — A marker stands where James Bond leaped over a wall at the Buena Vista Estate, home to the John Watling’s Rum Distillery

Art and historic royal decrees are throughout the rooms and halls.The distillery itself produces 3 different styles of rum – a Pale, an Amber and their signature Buena Vista which had recently won a Gold Medal at the New York City Fifty Best spirits competition.

Gold Medal Winner Buena Vista from John Watling's - Bottles on display in their home at the Buena Vista Estate on Nassau — Gold Medal Winner Buena Vista from John Watling’s – Bottles on display in their home at the Buena Vista Estate on Nassau

A historic document, framed and on display at the Buena Vista Estate - home to the John Watling's Distillery on Nassau — A historic document, framed and on display at the Buena Vista Estate – home to the John Watling’s Distillery on Nassau

The bottling room, or should I say warehouse, was one of the most interesting. 3 people sat at a table filling, corking, sealing and labeling each bottle of John Watling’s Rum by hand.

Labels being applied by hand to individual bottles of rum at the John Watling's Distillery on Nassau — Labels being applied by hand to individual bottles of rum at the John Watling’s Distillery on Nassau

I’m no rum connoisseur, but I really appreciated the spicy, rich vanilla taste of the Buena Vista.

Bottles on display at the John Watling's Distillery in their tasting room at the Buena Vista Estate on Nassau — Bottles on display at the John Watling’s Distillery in their tasting room at the Buena Vista Estate on Nassau

The Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company in Freeport, on the island of Grand Bahama, produces some lovely brew. Sands Beer, a pale lager, was recommended to me so – of course – I opted for the stout.

Advertising banners for the Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Co outside a beer store on Nassau

With what is either very lax laws when it comes to consumption or no open container law at all, I took my bottle of Strong Back to Junkanoo Beach to sip with my feet in the Bahamian sand.

Strong Back Stout - from the Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Co - on Junkanoo Beach on Nassau — Strong Back Stout – from the Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Co – on Junkanoo Beach on Nassau

Sint Maarten (the Dutch colony that shares an island with the French side of Saint Martin) offers a liqueur made from Guavaberry. Not unlike rum, with more of a fruity, bitter-sweet flavor.

Guavaberry liqueur - the National Liqueur of Dutch and French Sint Maarten — Guavaberry liqueur – the National Liqueur of Dutch and French Sint Maarten

Traveling, to me, is about finding things that are different than I can find at home. Next time you’re out in the world, take a moment to appreciate the beverages that locals celebrate and relax with. And keep making great photos!