Rhum from the Cayman Islands

There is only one authentic distillery for rum on the Cayman Islands: Seven Fathoms Rum Distillery. And while it may be young and small, it has clear and original ideas as well as big ambitions. The name has to do with the fact that one of the two owners, Walker Romanica, is a member of one of the most important scuba diving families on the island, and because their top rum is aged under water. More precisely seven fathoms or just short of 13 meters, hence the name.
The inspiration for doing this came from other producers who using various systems have been able to ‘rock’ their casks to foster aging and bring out greater sensations. And what could be more gentle and consistent than to be rocked by the sea? Also playing a role is the pressure and humidity created at that depth. A fine example of this system is the one used for Black Bowmore, one of the most spectacular whiskeys ever and that was created after kegs of whiskey were discovered in the hold of a sunken ship. This not to mention the project to age Michel Drappier Champagne at sea. The underwater depth also helps maintain a constant temperature and limits exposure to the sun as well as the perils of a hurricane hitting the island.

Walker’s intuition has decidedly paid off and after years of experiments, the distillery today produces over 1.1 million liters of spirits, from vodka to aromatic rum, although their prize and most representational product is undoubtedly their Seven Fathoms Premium Rum, which accounts for one third of their total production.