Grenada suggestions?

[LuvinCruisin]

I will be in Grenada for one day in November, and have been inspired by the book "An Embarassment of Mangoes" and by this site to do a little exploring, and visit a rum distillery or two. I'll be there from about 9am - 3pm - does anyone have any suggestions on where we should visit?

Thanks so much!
Beth

[Berbician]

I was in Grenada last year and visited all the distilleries.

The most interesting one is River Antoine, in the far north of the island, where they still use water power to squeeze the juice out of the sugar cane. However, the rum they make is pretty vile, as they've been using the same methods since the 1780s.:eek: They only make two rums (both overproof) - 75%abv and 69%abv.

Clarke's Court, in the south of the island, make several different rums, as well as a rum punch. When I was there, they were no longer doing tours of the distillery, although it was still possible to sample and buy all their products at competitive prices.

Not far from Clarke's Court is Westerhall Estate - they stopped distilling their own rum several years ago, and they now import rum in bulk, from Trinidad, which they age and blend. There is a short tour of the factory and garden, and again you can sample and buy all their products, the best of which is Westerhall Plantation Rum - probably the best rum you can get in Grenada.

The Dunfermline Distillery went out of business several years ago and all that was left, when I visited, were the ruins of the various buildings.:(

[bluewave6]

Of the rums I have tasted from Grenada I really like Clarke's Cort, Westerhall Plantation and another one that I don't see mentioned much that is pretty good is Grand Havanah.

[Hank Koestner]

The book was how I found Ed Hamilton and the Ministry website a couple of years ago. Great read for all rum lovers! I would recommend Westerhall,
this is a unique tasting rum.:p

[Edward Hamilton]

If you're on a cruise ship your time is limited but if you hustle you can get to River Antoine. Take a bus to Grenville and then ask for a bus going north toward River Antoine, the last time I visited the bus didn't go all the way to the distillery, but it's not a bad walk through the cane fields and something I always enjoy. You'll see cacao, papaya, bananas, nutmeg and a lot of other fruits growing along the road. After you visit River Antoine take a few minutes to visit the National Nutmeg Association processing operation in Grenville.

One word of caution, you won't be able to carry any alcohol over 70% abv back on a plane, it's considered too flammable to be carried on aircraft.

If you don't want to spend all day traversing the island, it's only a few miles south to the Grenada Sugar Factory. No matter which distillery you go to plan on spending some time walking in Grenada. You'll be glad you did.

St Georges is one of the most picturesque West Indian cities in the islands. Just around the corner from the Grenada National Marketing Board on Young Street, where you'll find a wide selection of locally grown fruit and vegetables, is Art Fabrik. This second floor shop is a cool retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. And while you're there please say hi to Chris and Lilo.

[LuvinCruisin]

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I think we'll visit Westerhall - and I'm toying with the idea of finding Lower Woburn and visiting Nimrod's - just as long as I don't have to "cross the bridge" - I'm not sure my weak heart would survive the trip! Then we could come back to Clark's Court, and still have time for lunch and a little beach time at Grand Anse...

Does this sound practical?

Thanks so much - Beth

[Edward Hamilton]

Of the rums I have tasted from Grenada I really like Clarke's Cort, Westerhall Plantation and another one that I don't see mentioned much that is pretty good is Grand Havanah.
Grand Havana is bottled by Westerhall and isn't too far from their Westerhall Plantation rum.

[Edward Hamilton]

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I think we'll visit Westerhall - and I'm toying with the idea of finding Lower Woburn and visiting Nimrod's - just as long as I don't have to "cross the bridge" - I'm not sure my weak heart would survive the trip! Then we could come back to Clark's Court, and still have time for lunch and a little beach time at Grand Anse...

Does this sound practical?

Thanks so much - Beth

Unfortunately, the tradition of crossing the bridge was lost when Hugh passed away a few years ago.
I'd suggest lunch upstairs at the Nutmeg restaurant overlooking the harbor.