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Rum Master Degree Now Offered in St. Kitts at Old Road Rum Distillery

The Caribbean island of St. Kitts has recently launched an exciting new program: the Kittitian RumMaster degree. This immersive program offers participants a unique opportunity to explore the rich history of rum-making, while gaining practical skills in crafting their own spiced rum and cocktails.

The program begins at the historic Wingfield Estate, home to the Caribbean’s oldest surviving rum distillery, and the newly established Old Road Rum Company. During the one-day tour, participants will explore the ruins of the distillery, which dates back to 1681, while learning about the island’s deep connections to the sugar and rum industries. The estate was once owned by Christopher Jeaffreson, an ancestor of former U.S. President Thomas Jefferson, further cementing its place in history.

The production of rum on the island is tied to its complicated colonial past. St. Kitts, once a center for sugar production in the British Empire, became known as “Sugar City” by the 18th century, with the economy thriving on the labor of African slaves. Today, the rum-making tradition is being revived by Old Road Rum founder Jack Widdowson, who has been instrumental in rediscovering and restoring the historic distillery at Wingfield.

The Kittitian RumMaster program includes two components: theoretical and practical training. At Wingfield Estate, participants delve into the history and science behind rum production, while the practical part takes place at Spice Mill, where participants create their own Hibiscus Spiced Rum and experiment with crafting rum-based cocktails.

By the end of the program, participants earn the title of Certified Kittitian RumMaster. Available only on Wednesdays, the RumMaster program can be booked through Old Road Rum’s website. Visitors can also book regular tours of the distillery on other days to experience the unique rum culture of St. Kitts.

The program not only offers an educational dive into rum but also highlights St. Kitts’ ongoing efforts to revive and honor its rich heritage, making it a must-visit for rum enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

The day-long tour kicks off at the Wingfield Estate, home to the oldest surviving rum distillery in the Caribbean. Under the guidance of a knowledgeable tour leader, participants explore the lush estate grounds and the historic ruins of the distillery, which dates back to 1681. This site, once owned by Christopher Jeaffreson—an ancestor of former U.S. President Thomas Jefferson—has a deep connection to the island’s colonial past and sugarcane industry.

Participants in the program not only learn about the complex history of rum, deeply intertwined with the legacy of colonization, slavery, and sugar production in St. Kitts but also engage in hands-on activities. These include crafting personalized spiced rum and studying the science behind mixing rum-based cocktails.

The program is spearheaded by Old Road Rum Company, founded by Jack Widdowson, a local entrepreneur with a vision to revive the island’s rum industry. Widdowson’s family discovered the remains of the distillery in the 1970s, and with the help of archeologists in 2013, they unearthed its historical significance as the Caribbean’s oldest intact rum distillery.

While the island’s sugar production industry came to an end in 2005, Widdowson has been at the forefront of revitalizing rum production on the island. Old Road Rum currently produces batch rum aged for 12 years in former bourbon casks, with ambitions of replanting sugarcane and distilling rum directly on the estate.

With the launch of the Kittitian RumMaster Program, participants can now immerse themselves in the history, culture, and art of rum-making in one of the Caribbean’s most storied rum-producing regions. This program offers a distinctive blend of historical insight, craftsmanship, and appreciation for one of the world’s most beloved spirits.