WIRD 2000 - Rockley Style Single Cask Rum - 25 years old -

West Indies Rum Distillery (WIRD)

Located at Brighton Beach on the west coast of Barbados, near Bridgetown, West Indies Rum Distillery (WIRD) is one of the island's historic distilleries. Founded in 1893 by inventor and distiller George Stade, it was built beside the sea, close to a freshwater source known as Spring Garden. At a time when rum was already an important part of Barbados' economy, George Stade sought to modernise its production through new distillation equipment.

The distillery quickly distinguished itself through the use of column stills designed and patented by its founder. George Stade introduced an industrial approach that complemented traditional pot still production. The ability to combine rums produced using different distillation methods contributed to the diversity of styles associated with Barbados.

Throughout its history, West Indies Rum Distillery also became the custodian of an exceptional collection of historic equipment. It acquired several old stills from other facilities, including the famous Batson, Vulcan and Rockley stills. The latter, built in the 1780s, holds a special place in rum history. After several decades out of operation, it underwent a major restoration requiring more than 2,000 hours of work. It was officially brought back into service in January 2024.

Today, the distillery operates a variety of distillation equipment, including modern column stills and traditional copper pot stills. This diversity allows it to produce rums with different profiles, ranging from relatively light spirits to richer and more structured expressions. The Vulcan, a historic chamber still dating from the 19th century, also reflects the distillery's commitment to preserving techniques that have become rare.

Molasses is an important raw material in WIRD's production. After fermentation, the resulting liquids can be distilled using different methods, then matured in oak casks or used in blends. The combination of still types, fermentation conditions and maturation contributes to the distillery's aromatic diversity. Depending on their origin and ageing, certain expressions may reveal notes of vanilla, fruit, spices or a denser structure.

In 2017, West Indies Rum Distillery became part of Maison Ferrand, led by Alexandre Gabriel. This new chapter brought investment in the restoration of historic equipment and the development of production. The distillery notably contributes to the creation of Planteray rums and also releases its own expressions under the Stade's Rum name, in tribute to its founder.

Combining 19th-century industrial innovation, the preservation of historic stills and the exploration of different Barbadian rum styles, West Indies Rum Distillery has a distinctive identity. Its history illustrates the coexistence of several distillation traditions on an island deeply connected to the origins and development of rum.

The Whisky Jury, Independent Bottler

Founded in 2019 in Mechelen, Belgium, by Joeri Van Den Broeck, The Whisky Jury is an independent bottler specialising in the selection of distinctive casks of whisky and other spirits. The company's name plays on the phonetic similarity between its founder's first name, Joeri, and the English word "Jury". It also reflects a simple idea: every enthusiast is ultimately the only judge of what they enjoy in their glass.

A whisky enthusiast for many years before establishing his business, Joeri Van Den Broeck decided to take the plunge despite the challenges of the cask market. Finding interesting spirits, obtaining samples and gaining access to older stocks require time, patience and extensive research. The Whisky Jury's first selection, a Ben Nevis distilled in 1995 and matured for almost 24 years, was released in 2019. This inaugural bottling, drawn from a refill hogshead, produced 245 individually hand-numbered bottles.

The Whisky Jury's philosophy is built around particularly demanding cask selection. Joeri Van Den Broeck explains that he asks himself one essential question before choosing a cask: would he buy a bottle of this spirit himself? If the answer is no, the cask is rejected. This approach places drinking pleasure and the intrinsic quality of the spirit ahead of the prestige of a name or the pressure to release new bottlings.

Scotch whisky was the starting point of the venture, with selections from distilleries in the Highlands, Speyside and Islay, among other regions. However, The Whisky Jury soon developed an interest in other categories, particularly rum. Bottlings of Cognac, Calvados and mezcal have also joined the portfolio. This diversity reflects a desire to discover distinctive spirits without being restricted to a particular region or production method.

The releases frequently take the form of single casks, offered in limited quantities. The company pays particular attention to the expression of the spirit and the influence of maturation. Some casks reveal the personality of a distillery through several decades of ageing, while others provide an opportunity to explore younger profiles or lesser-known styles. The distillery's name alone is never a guarantee: it is above all the quality of the sample that guides the final decision.

The Whisky Jury's visual identity is also part of its story. Its founder wanted to capture that particular moment when a whisky enthusiast holds a beautiful whisky up to the light before tasting it. The label illustration began with a personal sketch, later developed by an illustrator. From the very first release, bottles were individually numbered, reinforcing the limited nature of each selection.

The development of The Whisky Jury has relied on a network of specialist retailers and partners who share an interest in independent bottlings. Joeri Van Den Broeck has repeatedly expressed his desire not to pursue rapid growth at the expense of quality. Every new selection must offer enough interest to deserve its place in the collection.

With The Whisky Jury, independent bottling is above all a matter of curiosity, tasting and patience. From Scottish single malts to mature rums from Trinidad, Jamaica or Guyana, each release offers a particular interpretation of a spirit and its maturation. An approach in which the cask must convince through what it contains, regardless of the reputation of its origin.