Diageo to open rum distillery on St. Croix

Source: Food and Drink Digital

Date :25/06/2008 09:49:16

Diageo plc, the world’s leading alcoholic beverage business, announced yesterday, June 24, its landmark initiative to construct a distillery on St. Croix.

The new high capacity facility will produce bulk rum beginning in 2011, and by the start of 2012, the distillery will supply all bulk rum used to make Captain Morgan products for the US.

Virgin Islands Governor, John P. deJongh said of the initiative, “This will bring jobs and a tremendous future stream of revenue, a long-term source of funds that will go far towards solving many of the challenges we face as a Territory.”

Distilling capacity

Once completed, the distillery will have the capacity to distil up to 20 million proof gallons per year. The commitment will provide a major economic stimulus for the entire Territory of the US Virgin Islands, according to Diageo.

“The investment in – and development of – the project on St. Croix continues in the tradition of Captain Morgan sourcing from the best bulk rum stocks in the Caribbean and enhances Diageo’s position in the global rum market as the brand continues to grow,” said David Gosnell, Managing Director.

Captain Morgan is the second leading rum consumed in the world and steady growth is expected in the coming years.