Inside Stade’s Rum Distillery: Is This Barbados Rum Tour Worth It?
When you think about Barbados, rum is never very far away.
So naturally, if you’re going to spend time on the island, visiting a rum distillery should probably be somewhere on your list.
I recently visited Stade’s Rum Distillery, home of Stade’s and Planteray Rum, and this one was definitely more than just standing at a bar tasting a few different bottles.
You actually get to see where the rum is made.
And yes… you get to drink some too. 🥃
A Different Side of Barbados Rum
One of the things I liked most about the Stade’s experience is that you’re visiting a working distillery.
During the tour, you learn about the rum-making process, walk through parts of the facility and get a much better understanding of what actually goes into the bottle sitting on your shelf.
For someone like me who enjoys rum but isn’t pretending to be a rum expert, it was the perfect amount of information.
Interesting without feeling like a two-hour chemistry class.
That’s important. 😂
You get the history, the process and the stories behind the rum — but the experience still feels relaxed and very Barbados.
And Then Comes the Important Part…
The tasting.
The experience includes several rum tastings, which gives you the chance to compare different styles rather than simply trying one rum and calling it a day.
And tasting them back-to-back really does make a difference.
You start noticing how different each rum can be in terms of sweetness, flavour and finish.
Even if you normally drink your rum mixed with something, it’s fun to taste it properly and discover which one you actually prefer.
There may also have been some very serious scientific research involving additional rum afterwards.
For Barbados Done Right purposes, obviously. 😎
One Unexpected Bonus: The Location
Another thing that makes this experience different is the setting.
The distillery is right beside the coast, and the experience includes access to the beach area.
That means this doesn’t necessarily have to be a quick “tour, tasting, leave” activity.
You can make more of a day out of it.
Learn about Barbados rum.
Taste Barbados rum.
Then sit beside the Caribbean Sea.
That’s a pretty solid Barbados afternoon.
A Few Things to Know Before You Go
Because Stade’s is an operating distillery, there are some clothing requirements for parts of the tour.
Closed-toe shoes and appropriate clothing may be required, so check the instructions that come with your booking before showing up dressed entirely for the beach.
Also, transportation may not be included depending on the tour you choose, so make sure you know how you’re getting there and back.
Especially the back part.
Remember: rum tasting. 😂
So, Is the Stade’s Distillery Tour Worth It?
If you like rum, Barbados history, local experiences or simply want to do something different from another beach day, I think it’s a really interesting addition to a Barbados itinerary.
What I especially liked is that it doesn’t feel like you’re just walking into a souvenir shop disguised as an attraction.
You’re seeing an actual distillery, learning how the product is made and then tasting the result.
And because rum is such a huge part of Barbados culture and history, it also gives you another way to understand the island beyond the beaches.
That’s exactly the kind of experience we look for at Barbados Done Right.
We live here, we try these experiences ourselves, and then we tell you what’s actually worth adding to your trip.
Want to Visit Stade’s Rum Distillery?
If you want to check availability, prices and book the Stade’s Rum Distillery experience, you can use our Viator link below.
Disclosure: The link above is an affiliate link. If you book through it, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. It helps support Barbados Done Right and lets us keep testing more Barbados experiences for you.
Comments