el dorado rum tour guyana

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Not all rums are created equal

Created on the banks of Demerara, our smooth and uniquely complex El Dorado aged rums represent over 300 years of Caribbean rum crafting.

Faithfully continuing to use our original wooden heritage stills, we are masters in skilfully coaxing out rich & diverse characters from within the spirit.

We are patient. Very patient.

Allowing both time and our unique Demerara climate to take their course, we lay down our oak barrels for decades at a time to imbue El Dorado with unsurpassed dimension and depth.

Though rum making is an integral part of our Guyanese history, having produced rum for over 300 years, it has been difficult to find many records or artefacts relating to this rich history. The Demerara Rum Heritage Museum is where one can find a display of the evolution of rum making through the years.

Specially designed and built on the site of the old Plantation Diamond on the East Bank of the Demerara River, the Demerara Rum Heritage Museum features a photographic archive exhibition, a display of original machinery and parts from our historic distilleries, miniature models of Stills past and present - and other important heritage pieces.

The Heritage Display

Currently on display in the Museum is a real treasure trove. Items include a batch re-distillation still that was used in the early 1940s, two hydrostatic pressure controllers that were used on the Savalle Stills in the early 1950s, and a small Copper Double Retort Pot Still that used to be employed in rum experimentation. There is also a classic wooden steam boiler manufactured in 1945, a plate heat exchanger and a molasses clarifier/yeast separator.

Bringing the whole exhibition to life are a number of beautifully constructed scale models of both the Wooden Coffey Still and the modern metal Coffey Still, the Double Wooden Pot Still, the Savalle Still and an interesting old Brigs Gin Still.

Amphitheatre

There is also a small amphitheatre for featured documentaries, related visual presentations and lectures on Rums by our experts.

The ‘Barrel Bar’

The Barrel Bar was constructed almost entirely of old oak casks - including the bar stools. At the Barrel Bar, visitors can enjoy sampling of a few of the rums from the range of El Dorado award-winning premium products.

PLANTATION DIAMOND EAST BANK DEMERARA GUYANA, SOUTH AMERICA (00) 592 265 5019

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El Dorado Rums: Not Cheap but Incredible Value for Money

by Ken Gargett

Around half a dozen years ago, we took a look at the El Dorado 21-Year-Old rum , a cracker by any standards. That seems more than enough time to think about a revisit and also look at a few of their other gems.

El Dorado 21-Year-Old Special Reserve Rum

Also, to me, it seems that the style of the 21-Year-Old has changed marginally. It might be my imagination, but I think it seems to finish just a little drier and yet still with such impeccable balance. In other words, a great rum has got a little bit better.

El Dorado 12, 15, and 21 Year Old rums

We touched very briefly on the history of rum in Guyana and El Dorado way back then, but with the publication of Matt Pietrek’s magnificent ‘ Modern Caribbean Rum’ , there is considerably more knowledge available and spending time exploring Matt’s book will give you more information than you could possibly need. If I may, I will try distilling (if you’ll forgive the pun) things down just a little.

At one time, Guyana was apparently three colonies – Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo, all named after rivers. The Dutch settled the Demerara colony in 1745, but sugar cane has been grown there since the 1600s. Indeed, such was the strength of both the sugar and rum industries here that at one time, Guyana was an exporter of molasses. That has changed considerably, and they are now an importer.

In 1803, the British took control of the three colonies. A few years later, in 1833, the British abolished slavery, but there was a catch. The slaves then needed to do a four year apprenticeship to gain their full freedom. Of course, this meant workers were needed and at this time, some 340,000 workers from India came across.

In 1823, British Guiana (as it then was) produced two million gallons of rum. Most of it was sent to Liverpool or London or the Royal Navy. Matt notes that between 1908 and 1960, Guyana went from 44 distilleries to just eight. Worse was to follow. After that period, seven of those have closed, leaving only the Diamond Distillery at the Enmore estate. This is the estate that produces El Dorado (the Demerara Distillers), as well as a few other rums.

This was the era of economic disasters. The Guyanese government’s socialist policies allegedly caused financial chaos and the International Monetary Fund insisted that they reduce their involvement with many businesses throughout the land. This meant selling their shares in the rum industry, which in turn, in the 1990s, freed up Demerara Distillers to launch El Dorado rums to the international markets. It had been available locally since the 1960s.

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In 2016, Guyana established a geographical indication for Demerara Rum which was recognised by the EU in 2021. Demerara Distillers is now one of Guyana’s largest public companies.

The Enmore still is the only single wood column still in the world. It was built around 1880s and still produces El Dorado rum

The distillery is known for its wide array of stills, more than any other distillery in the Caribbean. They use an astonishing 220 tonnes of molasses every day – no wonder the country is a net importer.

El Dorado rum distillery

They have two aging facilities, with most of the barrels being ex-bourbon casks, containing rum at 70% ABV.

Like all Caribbean distilleries, they fall victim to the Angel’s share, around 5 to 7% per year. Matt notes that in 2019, they held 90,000 casks in their facilities, with plans to increase that to 130,000.

Looking at the 21-Year-Old first, this is a 43% rum made from a combination of their many stills – the Enmore wooden Coffey still, the Versailles single wooden pot still and the Albion Savalle still.

We now come to the issue of minimum age statements. It is a controversial topic and there is no real right answer, provided there is no attempt at deception, which might possibly occur with some distilleries. These things can be notoriously difficult to confirm, and full information often seems more tightly held than the nuclear codes. Minimum age statement for a 21-Year-Old rum means that no rum in the blend should be younger than 21 years of age.

El Dorado rum gift pack

One can argue that spirits in the Caribbean age much faster than they do in colder climes, such as Scotland and parts of France. The Angel’s Share (alcohol lost to evaporation) has more impact here. What were the casks in which the spirits were aged? So many variables.

All that is for another day. El Dorado 21-Year-Old is a minimum of twenty one years of age. Information suggests most of the blend is between 21 and 25 years. Others suggest that there is lot of older rum included. At the end of the day. Does it really matter? Surely what is important is the rum itself.

As mentioned, it does seem the 21-Year-Old is fractionally drier than it used to be and there are also reports that both the 12 and 15-Year Olds are also following that trend (I’m not as familiar with those rums from days past so can’t really comment). The reports suggest that this is because they changed the barrel regime in 2005 to stop lining any casks with caramel. Obviously, that would not yet have impacted on the 21-Year-old.

El Dorado 25 Year Old rum

As I mentioned last time, there is a 25-Year-Old rum in the portfolio, but I am yet to see it, and given that the price seems to range between US$600 and US$1,100, I am not holding my breath. What is a little curious is that there were a number of reports a few years ago informing the world that the 15-Year-Old rum would be discontinued. Not sure what happened, but fortunately it is still with us.

For those who are so fortunate as to visit Guyana and are keen to learn more about their rum industry and history, there is, apparently, an official rum route arranged with the Caribbean Tourism Organization , the first of its kind. A great initiative, although given that the route is some 200 kilometers and Guyana has only the one distillery these days, there might be a fair bit of downtime on the tour.

El Dorado rums

12-Year-Old – This is made from both their wooden and metal Coffey stills. 40%. A pale bronze-gold hue.

El Dorado 12 Year Old rum

The nose oozes raisins and nuts, cinnamon, a hint of treacle and teak, with vanilla and dried fruits, glacéd lemon, spices and orange rind. The palate, which is a touch fiery but mellows towards the finish, sees notes of white chocolate emerge. A lovely rum, with a very fine finish.

15-Year-Old – Still with us, it seems, thankfully. This is by far the darkest of the trio in color. The nose is more subtle, more rounded.

El Dorado 15 Year Old rum

We have notes of chocolate, coffee beans, glacéd orange rind, almonds, spices and vanilla. There is obviously old material here, just adding to the complexity. Wonderfully viscous and rich. Peaches appear on the finish. Delicious with a clean, dry finish.

21-Year-Old – A sipping rim, if ever there was one. Last time we reviewed this, my notes read, “the aromas flow through an array of flavors and characters – spices, notably cinnamon, a hint of white chocolate, orange rind, Madagascar vanilla, butterscotch, a whiff of caramel, old teak, cigar box, raisins, and much more. Glorious stuff.

El Dorado 21 Year Old rum

A lovely supple texture. Intense, balanced, and yet even with quite a dense weight, it has an elegance. Incredible length and it maintains both intensity and that elegance over this length – a fine tightrope indeed.

Although there is sweetness, it is a drier rum than one envisages, and there is not a hint of cloying or harshness on the finish.” There seems little to add other than this time there also seemed notes of honeycomb and rum, and raisin ice-cream. Ethereal, elegant, subtle, complex, with a creamy texture and perhaps a little drier. A wonderful rum.

All of these rums deserve to be used as sipping rums, with a sliver of ice or a drop of water if that is your preference.

These are cracking spirits and compared to what one might find at similar prices for whiskies and cognacs, they remain incredible bargains.

For more information, please visit https://theeldoradorum.com/blended-rums

You might also enjoy:

El Dorado 21-Year-Old Special Reserve Rum: Searching Out Guyana’s Rich, Liquid Gold

Book Review: Modern Caribbean Rum by Matt Pietrek and Carrie Smith

Appleton Estate 21-Year-Old: One of the World’s Great Rums

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El Dorado Rum Tasting Experience

$ 115.00

Guyana’s El Dorado rums are the best in the world! And that is not just us making this claim. No other rum has been voted best in the world more than once. However, the El Dorado 15-year-old has won nine awards and the 12-year-old is not far behind with five awards. The county of Demerara in Guyana has been steeped in the history of sugar and rum production since the 17 th century. Today Demerara Distillers operates the last remaining distillery in Guyana, after having consolidated all the old original stills and marques which make Demerara Rum so distinctive.

Crated on the banks of the Demerara, the smooth and uniquely complex El Dorado aged rums represent over 300 years of Caribbean rum crafting. Faithfully continuing to use the original wooden heritage stills from the 18 th , 19 th and 20 th centuries the master blenders coax out rich and diverse characters from within the spirit. El Dorado Rums are blended selections of different “vintages”or batches of rums from different stills-raged in oak barrels.

Your rum tasting experience at The Patio Bar at the colonial Cara Lodge includes a background on Guyana’s story of sugar, slavery and rum and then your chance to decide on your personal favourite as your rum-tasting guide leads you through samples of El Dorado’s 5- year, 12-year, 15-year and 21-year-old award-winning rums.

Company Name: Wilderness Explorers

US$115.00 for one person
US$90.00 per person, group of two persons
US$80.00 per person, group of three to six persons
US$65.00 per person, groups of seven persons or more
Add Georgetown hotel return transfers for only US$5.00 per person

Enhance your experience by adding the exclusive El Dorado 25-year-old Rum for only US$25.00 per person. Your rum experience includes:

Rum-tasting guide
Single shots of El Dorado 5-year, 12-year, 15-year and 21-year-old
award-winning rums
Rum-tasting snack
Your own miniature bottle of El Dorado rum and rum-tasting glass
as a souvenir of your experience

COMPLEMENT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH A

THREE-COURSE RUM-INSPIRED DINNER

The perfect complement to your rum-tasting experience is to continue with the rum theme and enjoy a wonderful three course rum-infused dinner in the atmospheric Bottle Restaurant at Cara Lodge.

Cost: US$48.00 per person

Includes three course rum-inspired dinner with a glass of house wine or 2 Banks beers or 2 soft drinks.

EL DORADO 5-YEAR OLD

Laid down in oak barrels for at least five years, this rum is imbued with unsurpassed dimensions and depth. Enjoyed best straight or on the rocks.

Tasting notes

Lively with a dried tropical fruit nose with aromas of caramel, butterscotch and molasses. A vibrant spicy entry leads to an evolving palate of fruit, caramel and toasted coconut, fading to a vanilla-tinted gow.

EL DORADO 12-YEAR OLD

This rum has been laid down in oak barrels for at least 12 years producing a rich and diverse spirit. Blended to perfection using a combination of the Enmore and Diamond Coffey Stills and the Port Mourant Double Wooden Pot Still.

Lush tropical fruit and spice nose with hints of honey and dark sugar. The profile is round, mellow and full bodied with rich flavours of fruits and spice. The finish is delightful, elegant and dry.

EL DORADO 15-YEAR OLD

This rum has been laid down in oak barrels for at least 15 years then artfully blended using the Enmore and Diamond Coffey Stills, the Port Mourant Double Wooden Pot Still and the Versailles Single Wooden Pot Still – for you to savour and enjoy.

Full nose packed with dark coffee, candied orange, almonds, dark chocolate, pepper and rich vanilla. Beautifully rounded palate with a great spread of flavours: grilled tropical fruit with smooth oaky spice – silky, vibrant and moderately full-bodied.

EL DORADO 21-YEAR OLD

This richly crafted rum has been laid down in oak barrels for at least 21 years then artfully blended for you to savour and enjoy.

Nose of mocha, toffee, tobacco, and dark spices. The mouth is velvety smooth with full body of tropical fruits, coffee, leather, and rich toffee. The finish is nutty and smoky.

EL DORADO 25-YEAR OLD

Created to mark the turn of the millennium, El Dorado 25-Year Old Grand Special Reserve possesses a silky smoothness which challenges the oldest cognac. The constant ambient warmth and tropical conditions of Demerara dramatically hasten the maturation process. An after dinner treat for sipping slowly and sparingly.

Contact: +592 227 7698 E: [email protected] W: wilderness-explores.com

Address : 141 Fourth Street, Campbellville, Georgetown

Guyana Rum Route

Updated: Jul 21, 2023

If rum is your chosen tipple, Guyana is a must-visit destination!

With strong cultural ties to the Caribbean, Guyana has a rich heritage of over two centuries producing some of the world’s finest rum, including the world-renowned El Dorado Rum.

Experiencing Guyana's Rum

A fascinating official Rum Route, launched in collaboration with the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Heritage Routes programme, places the treasured El Dorado spirit in the spotlight. Both day and overnight tours of the route, with options in Georgetown, Berbice and the East Coast Highway; West Coast Berbice and West Coast of Demerara, are provided by Dagron Tours and Wilderness Explorers . Activities vary depending on the length and location of your chosen tour. However, they all emphasize Guyana’s vibrant agricultural history and the role of sugarcane and rum in Guyanese culture.

As an exciting day out for rum lovers, participants can sample spectacular rum and tour the famous Demerara Distillers Ltd to see first-hand how the signature spirit is produced. As the largest supplier of bulk rums from the Caribbean to Europe and North America, Demerara Distillers is known for its rich, full-bodied and fruity rums.

The Rum Route also has options for visitors to learn the essential historical truths behind sugarcane plantations and to taste local rum-infused recipes, providing a deeper insight into Guyana’s colonial past and cultural present. If you’re new to Guyana, you’ll learn some exciting traditions, such as always sprinkling a few drops for the spirits when you open a new bottle of rum!

For more information on this great day out, please contact Dagron Tours at [email protected] / 223-7921 or Wilderness Explorers at [email protected] / 226-2085

Culture & Heritage

El Dorado 15-Year-Old Rum: A Voyage Through Liquid Gold

El Dorado 15-Year-Old Rum review and tasting notes, A Voyage Through Liquid Gold

Embark with me on a journey to the heart of Guyana, where the verdant banks of the Demerara River hold the secret to one of the most exquisite rums in the world .

El Dorado 15-Year-Old Rum, a true treasure of the Caribbean, is an intoxicating blend of history, craftsmanship, and unparalleled flavor.

I will guide you through the enchanting world of this amber-hued elixir, from its creation to the perfect food pairings.

So, hoist your glass, and let’s set sail on this liquid adventure!

How El Dorado 15-Year-Old Rum is Made

El Dorado’s journey begins in the lush sugar cane fields of Guyana. Hand-cut by skilled laborers, the sugar cane is meticulously processed into molasses, the rich and sticky base from which this divine rum is born.

Employing centuries-old, wooden stills unique to the Demerara Distillers Limited, El Dorado is distilled with precision and passion, paying homage to its Caribbean heritage.

This 15-year-old marvel slumbers in oak casks, patiently acquiring its complex profile and stunning depth.

As it rests, it weaves an intricate tapestry of flavors, resulting in a rum that is nothing short of legendary.

Tasting Notes

With its first breath, El Dorado 15-Year-Old Rum reveals a captivating bouquet of dried fruits, toffee, and an alluring whisper of wood smoke. Upon the first sip, your palate is caressed by velvety waves of dark chocolate, ripe figs, and brown sugar.

Subtle notes of vanilla and exotic spices dance upon your tongue, inviting you to indulge in yet another sip of this beguiling libation. The finish is long and luxurious, leaving you with the warmth of a Caribbean sunset.

El Dorado 15-Year-Old Rum’s exceptional quality is matched only by its remarkable affordability. Averaging between $50 and $70 per bottle, depending on your location, this extraordinary rum offers an indulgence that won’t pillage your purse.

In a world where age often translates to exorbitant prices, El Dorado stands as a testament that true value can be found in the balance of quality and accessibility.

Food Pairings

This enchanting rum’s versatility makes it a delightful companion for a wide array of dishes. The natural choice for pairing is, of course, Caribbean cuisine, with its vibrant flavors and enticing spices.

Imagine a plate of tender jerk chicken, marinated in a symphony of Scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, and thyme, accompanied by a glass of El Dorado 15-Year-Old Rum – a match made in culinary heaven.

For dessert, the warm notes of El Dorado 15 shine brightest when paired with rich chocolate creations. A decadent flourless chocolate cake or a luscious chocolate fondant will harmonize beautifully with the rum’s deep cocoa undertones.

Finally, consider pairing El Dorado 15 with a selection of fine cheeses. Blue-veined varieties such as Stilton, Roquefort, or Gorgonzola will contrast exquisitely with the rum’s sweetness, creating a symphony of flavors that will leave your palate singing.

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El Dorado Guyana Rum Review

Rum , Spirit Reviews

A few years ago I was lucky enough to spend a week exploring the beautiful South American country of Guyana.

It’s one of the loveliest places I’ve ever been to, and is dedicated to eco-tourism in order to preserve its amazing wildlife and jungles. One night we were taken to a bar in the jungle (yes, really), where we managed to drink all their rum. Well, we were British and we were also all journalists, so we had two reputations to uphold. You can read all about that little escapade here .

The rum was probably pretty basic stuff, but it didn’t stop us knocking it back and dancing all night. I was therefore delighted to be offered the chance recently to sample a rather more refined rum from Guyana, a 12-year-old El Dorado.

Detail from the label of a bottle of El Dorado demerara rum from Guyana

Demerara and Diamonds

One thing that Guyana is famous for is demerara sugar, named for the country’s Demerara River which has long been the focus of sugar production. As a by-product of that, it has also long been famous for rum. These days, though, there’s only one demerara rum distillery which survives in Guyana, and that’s the Diamond Distillery, owned by Demerara Distillers Limited.

The Diamond Distillery, which produces a range of El Dorado rums, has stood on the banks of the Demerara River since 1670. It therefore has almost 350 years’ experience in producing rums from demerara sugar cane, and it has some of the oldest rum stills in the world. They’re also unique in being made of wood rather than the usual copper or stainless steel, and are believed to be the last working stills of their kind.

A bottle of El Dorado demerara rum from Guyana

One of the stills is a wooden continuous Coffey still, acquired from a sugar estate and being used to make rum here since 1880. They also have two wooden pot stills, over 250 years old, and a four-column metal French Savalle still, acquired from an 18th-century sugar estate.

El Dorado Awards

The more I read about El Dorado and the Diamond Distillery, the more excited I was to try their 12-year-old rum. Even more so when I discovered this particular rum had been voted best in the world at the inaugural 2018 Caribbean Rum Awards, as well as picking up a host of other trophies and medals in the last few years.

Detail from the box for A bottle of El Dorado demerara rum from Guyana

The dark brown rum comes in a handsome stubby bottle, contained in a bright red box. The label is suitably old-fashioned, given the rum’s heritage, with a Pirates of the Caribbean sailing ship and some equally old-fashioned lettering. It’s all classic, classy, and totally in keeping.

So, what effect would the use of demerara sugar cane and of wooden stills have on the flavour? And what of the 12 years of ageing in old bourbon oak casks? The answer, in a word: Wow! The nose is incredibly smooth and rich. There’s sweetness from the sugar, of course, with honey notes too, and a vanilla/banana-type sweetness as well. Yes, sweet it certainly is, with caramel/toffee tones, and a dash of Caribbean coconut. It’s a cocktail of aromas before you even get to the taste.

And what a taste. Everything that’s there on the nose comes through on the palate, enhanced by a buttery rich mouthfeel, and a dash of orange peel perhaps. The caramel and toffee notes are joined by chocolate, and tropical spices, all swirling around as you sip. The finish is also delightfully rich and extremely smooth. Yes, I will have another.

This is definitely a sipper of a rum, and will appeal to anyone who has a sweet tooth. Not that it won’t appeal to everyone else either. You could use it in cocktails, but quite honestly with a rum of this quality I’d recommend enjoying it neat, and don’t even have it on the rocks. As for a rum and coke, don’t even think about it. And when I finish the last drop, which won’t be taking me long, it will remind me of that marvellous night when we drank the bar dry of rum in Guyana.

A Rum Old-Fashioned cocktail with El Dorado demerara rum from Guyana

More Information

Visit the El Dorado Rum website .

If you’re in the UK you can buy it in Waitrose or on Amazon, and Master of Malt has a range of El Dorado rums, including this 12-Year-Old. In the USA you can buy this 12-year-old at Caskers . You can also buy their 15-year-old in the USA from Curiada .

Find out more

Notice of Annual general meeting 2024.

The 72st annual general meeting of Demerara Distillers Limited

Follow the Demerara Distillers 2022 AGM Live

July 19, 2021: The Demerara Rum Single Document for Geographical Indication (GI) purposes was published by the European Union on April 8th, 2021 for a three month period with no objections.

July 19, 2021

Statement from Demerara Distillers Limited on Demerara Rum GI

The Demerara Rum Single Document for Geographical Indication (GI) purposes was published by the European Union on April 8th, 2021 for a three month period with no objections.

April 30, 2021

MANAGING DIRECTOR APPOINTED FOR DDL & SUBSIDIARIES

The Demerara Distillers Group is very pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Ramesh Persaud, as Managing Director, with effect from 3rd May, 2021.

April 18, 2021

DDL HOSTS COVID-19 VACCINATION DRIVE FOR EMPLOYEES

In an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 and to help drive up immunity, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) hosted its first COVID-19 vaccination drive for staff on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at its Diamond Institute of Management and Technology (DIMATECH) in Plantation Diamond.

April 13, 2021

DDL SENDS $13.3 MILLION IN AID TO VOLCANO AFFECTED CITIZENS OF ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

DIAMOND, EAST BANK DEMERARA, GUYANA, APRIL 13, 2021: Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) has partnered with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to send humanitarian aid to St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), whose citizens are currently being affected by the eruption of the La Soufrière volcano.

February 15, 2021

TOPCO LAUNCHES RANGE OF I LITRE JUICES AND JUICE DRINKS

Tropical Orchard Products Company Limited (TOPCO), a subsidiary of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), today announced the launch of its new range of TOPCO 1 Litre juices and juice drinks, in four delicious flavours, on the local market.

October 16, 2020

25 DDL FOUNDATION AWARDEES TO RECEIVE TABLETS AND FREE DATA AS SCHOOL YEAR COMMENCES

As the new academic year commences, the DDL Foundation has donated tablets and free data to the 25 students in the Foundation. These gadgets will assist the students with their online classes as schools across the country are operating virtually due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

September 24,

DDL ANNOUNCES FIRST HYBRID FORMAT FOR AGM DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) has announced that its 68th Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Friday, October 9, 2020 from 16:00hrs using a hybrid format. This year, the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has gripped the world, impacting every facet of our human society and interactions.

June 27, 2020

DDL DONATES 34,000 CASES OF JUICE TO THE CIVIL DEFENSE COMMISSION, PUBLIC HEALTH MINISTRY & CIVIL SOCIETY

Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) on Thursday announced a donation of 4,000 cases of juices to the Civil Defense Commission in keeping with their efforts in assisting communities by providing support to persons affected by COVID-19.

DDL DONATES SANITIZING CLEANER TO EDUCATION MINISTRY AS SCHOOLS PREPARE FOR CXC EXAMS

Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) on Friday announced a donation of alcohol based sanitizing cleaner, Environ, to the Ministry of Education to assist secondary schools with preparation for the upcoming Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Examinations (CSEC and CAPE).

March 20, 2020

DDL CONTRIBUTES ALCOHOL BASED SANITISING CLEANER TO NATIONAL COVID-19 FIGHT

In an effort to support the national response to the Covid-19 Pandemic, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) is donating approximately 12,000 litres of alcohol-based sanitising cleaner. DDL is distributing the sanitising cleaner to institutions around Guyana such as senior citizen’s homes, orphanages, night shelters, prisons, and other facilities similar to these.

December 27, 2019

FARMERS EAGER TO INCREASE FRUIT CULTIVATION

Some 40 farmers who currently supply fruit to Demerara Distillers Limited’s TOPCO juice operations are eager to increase their cultivation of required fruit to meet the company’s ability to in turn increase its supply of a range of juices for local consumption and for export. This is as TOPCO has embarked on a multi -billion dollar expansion project which would initially require over two million pounds of fruit annually.

Demerara Distillers Limited is one of the leading manufacturing companies in Guyana and an internationally recognised producer of award-winning rums

Demerara Distillers Limited is one of the leading manufacturing companies in Guyana and an internationally recognised producer of award-winning rums.

Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) is a public company with shares traded on the Guyana Stock Exchange. Delivering a diverse range of products and services, the company operates with a social conscience and a deep commitment to environmental sustainability.

For three centuries, the core business of the company has been the production of Demerara Rum.

Exclusively owning and operating the only remaining distillery in Guyana, the Diamond Distillery at Plantation Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara, the company is celebrated for producing the award-wining El Dorado rums and is the largest supplier of bulk rums and alcohols from the Caribbean to brand owners in Europe and North America.

Shifting from a commodity-oriented to brand-focused business, the company diversified into the beverage industry. Today, DDL is the leading producer of non-alcoholic beverages in Guyana. The company serves as the bottler for international brands such as PEPSI, Seven-Up and Slice and is the producer of its own range of carbonated soft drinks under its SOCA brand.

The company produces Diamond Mineral Water, Quenchers Juice Drink and has been producing top-of-the-line Fruit Jams and Jellies, and the well-known Three County Fruit Mix.

Healthy and delicious Fruit Juices are also produced by DDL, under its TOPCO brand. The Fruit Juice operations range from fresh juice delivered to homes and premier restaurants and hotels to conveniently packaged juices done in a state-of-the-art Tetra Pak packaging plant.

DDL further expanded into the distribution business through Distribution Services Limited (DSL), and the shipping industry through Demerara Shipping Company Limited (DSCL). DSL is one of the leading distributors in Guyana for some of the world’s leading FCMG brands such as such as Johnson and Johnson, Energiser and other consumer brands. le DSCL is the agent for leading shipping brands such as MSC and ECL/VERTRACO.

DDL also has subsidiaries in St Kitts, USA and in Europe, which focus on the distribution of its spirits in those regions.

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At Demerara Distillers Limited, we’re committed to minimising the impact of our operations on the environment; to developing the next generation of consumers and employees who will be the future of both our company and our country and to meeting the on-going expectations of our local and international customers by maintaining full compliance with several international standards.

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7 Best El Dorado Rums: A Journey Through Time & Taste

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El Dorado has a rum history as rich as the rums it creates. Hailing from South America, Demerara Distillers has been distilling its rum magic since the 17th century.

With each sip, you’re transported to the lush landscapes of the Demerara region of Guyana, where fields of sugarcane stretch as far as the eye can see.

For those seeking a rum journey, the best El Dorado rums offer a passage through time with more flavour and depth imparted with each passing year milestone.

7. El Dorado 25 Year Old Grand Special Reserve

El dorado 15 year old rum.

Best El Dorado Rums

From the tropical 3 Year Old to the elegant 25 Year Old, here are 7 of the best El Dorado rums ideal for sipping or fancy cocktails.

1. El Dorado 3 Year Old

Distiller: Demerara Distillers
ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
Country: Guyana
Colour: Clear

A young spirit, the El Dorado 3 Year Old is vibrant and lively white rum . It’s a testament to the brand’s commitment to quality, even in its early expressions.

On The Nose

Fresh sugarcane, hints of coconut, and tropical fruits.

On The Palate

Bright and zesty on the opening, with a pleasant sweetness of coconut , raisin and cocoa mid-palate. The finish is smooth and well-balanced.

Best Served

Over ice with a splash of soda. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, in a classic Mojito .

Pricing & Info

You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.

2. El Dorado 5 Year Old

Colour: Amber

A step up in maturity, El Dorado 5 Year Old rum showcases its deeper complexity while retaining a youthful, fruity delivery.

Caramel, oak, dried fruit, and a whisper of spiced rum .

Smooth and well-rounded, with notes of toffee, molasses and a subtle smokiness . For me, the semi-sweet vanilla on the finish makes this rum stand out.

This rum is best served neat to truly appreciate its depth. Or in a refreshing rum & coke with character.

3. El Dorado 8 Year Old

Colour: Deep Amber

I found that it’s at the El Dorado 8 Year Old where things start to get seriously interesting. It’s a rum that commands respect.

Rich vanilla, dried fruits, and a hint of tobacco.

A symphony of flavours, from dark chocolate to ripe bananas, with a lingering warmth on the elegant oak and toffee finish.

Make El Dorado 8 Year Old rum the star of a Long Island Iced Tea .

4. El Dorado 12 Year Old

Colour: Deep amber

This 12 Year Old rum is a testament to craftsmanship, born in wooden and metal Coffey stills. Aged to perfection, it’s a rum that speaks volumes.

A bouquet of tropical fruits, honey, and a touch of spice.

Rich and velvety, with flavours of dried fruits, nuts, and a hint of spice. The finish reveals oak and burnt sugar.

Neat, to truly savour its complexity. Or, if you’re in the mood for a cocktail, try it in a Rum Manhattan .

5. El Dorado 15 Year Old

El Dorado 15 Year Old rum is where elegance meets power. It’s a sophisticated and robust rum, a true reflection of its heritage.

Dark chocolate, rum-soaked coffee , and a whiff of oak.

Deep and layered, with notes of caramel, leather, and a touch of smokiness. Each sip reveals a new layer; the finish is earthy yet smooth.

With a single ice cube, allowing the flavours to unfold gradually. Or, for a treat, in a R um Old Fashioned .

6. El Dorado 21 Year Old Special Reserve

Colour: Dark Amber

The 21 Year Old Special Reserve gets its flavour from a French Savalle Still and is nothing short of a masterpiece. It’s a rum that’s seen two decades of sunrises and sunsets, and it shows.

Aromatic woods, dried apricots, and a hint of cigar smoke.

Exceptionally smooth, with flavours of molasses, toasted nuts, and a lingering finish of dark chocolate, spice, and smoke. Classy!

Serve neat in a tulip-shaped glass to truly appreciate its aroma and flavour, or in a decadent Dark ‘n Stormy .

El Dorado 25 Year Old Grand Special Reserve

ABV: 43% (86 Proof)
Colour: Mahogany

The crown jewel of the El Dorado collection, the 25 Year Old Grand Special Reserve is a rum for the ages. It’s an experience, a memory, a legacy.

Rich wood, aged leather, and a touch of tropical fruit.

Incredibly deep and complex, with notes of dried figs, vanilla, and a touch of smoky oak. Cooking fruits and spices on the lingering finish. Also, try Ron Zacapa XO Rum .

Neat, in a quiet room, with good company or a good book. It’s a rum to be revered and respected. Also, makes a magnificent El Presidente cocktail .

Andrew’s Top Pick

El Dorado 15 Year Old Rum is my pick of the best El Dorado rums

Ah, the age-old question of preference! Due to its elegant richness of fruits and spices and its reasonable price point, my top pick is El Dorado 15 Year Old Rum .

10 Rum Cocktail Ideas

Want to do more than sip your rum neat? Here are some rum cocktail ideas that are bound to please.

And there we have it, a journey through the ages with the best El Dorado Rums. Each bottle, a chapter; each sip, a memory.

Often seen as a benchmark in the world of aged rums, El Dorado is a brand that is well worth getting acquainted with as their older rums especially have much to offer.

Finally, if you’re exploring the world of El Dorado (or rum in general), I’d recommend starting with the 3 & 5-year-old rum types and slowly working your way up to discover which one resonates with your palate.

Also Read: 6 Best Mount Gay Rums: Barbados In A Bottle

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Andrew’s full bio .

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Review: El Dorado Rums – 12, 15, and 21 Years Old

Hailing from Guyana, El Dorado makes what is known as demerara rum, which is simply a rum from the Guyana area that is made using demerara sugar, aka turbinado sugar — you probably know the coarse brown crystals best under the trade name Sugar in the Raw.

El Dorado isn’t Rum in the Raw, though: It’s a smooth and sophisticated rum that’s well worth seeking out. Available in nearly a dozen variations, I tried three of its oldest bottlings. All are 80 proof.

El Dorado Rum 15 Years Old ups the age another three years, creating a spirit even darker in color and richer in flavor. Wood comes through stronger on this one, with mint and herb fading into the background. Again it’s the brown sugar body that impresses deeply, with a rich mouthfeel that makes this one easy to sip. The only false note is a touch of harshness on the palate as it first hits the tongue, but the finish is extremely smooth. A- / $30 [ BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS ] [ BUY IT NOW FROM THE WHISKY EXCHANGE ]

El Dorado Rum 21 Years Old is extremely dark brown and almost overdoes it with the wood notes. Here a certain vegetal character starts to weigh down the rum’s natural sweetness, and any other secondary flavors tend to fade away. It’s still good rum — sweet and sophisticated, but in my mind it’s spent a few years too long in the barrel. B+ / $65 [ BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS ] [ BUY IT NOW FROM TOTAL WINE ]

demeraradistillers.com

El Dorado Rum 12 Years Old

Christopher Null

Christopher Null is the founder and editor in chief of Drinkhacker. A veteran writer and journalist, he also operates Null Media, a bespoke content creation company.

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El Dorado is one of my favorite rums. All of their rums are well above the curve, even their 5 year dark rum and their white (which is one of the best white rums around).

At The Rum Project (link above) Sue Sea and I have published over 120 independent and honest rum reviews. At the main website we have discussed the five basic styles (not origins) of rum, including the Demeraran style. We chose ED 12 year as the reference standard for this category.

To be fair, we think even the 15 year is close to being overdone. The 5 year (and new 8 year) should not be overlooked. At the rum forum we did a smackdown comparing the 5 – 12 – 15 and you would be shocked at how well the 5 year did (look in the Demeraran section).

Another note…

It should be noted that El Dorado rums cannot be directly (or vertically) compared as examples of a rum of different ages. This is because ED uses up to nine very different stills, and each product represents a different blend of different components. This accounts for any surprising differences you may note, which is not due to the years of aging per se, but much more relevent to the different blends in each offering.

Jimbo – that’s actually true of many rums on the market.

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It is the true taste of Demerara – No other rum distillery in the world can boast of such a heritage. This has enabled them to offer such an expansive variety of high-quality, award-winning rums of differing ages, styles, and characters – a comprehensive range of over 20 distinct varieties. The Eldorado Duty-free shop is located at the Departure terminal.

For further information, El Dorado can be contacted on +592 261-2237 or via email: [email protected]

Main Office: Demerara Distillers Limited Diamond Complex, East Bank Demerara, Guyana.

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El Dorado Grand Special Reserve (50th Anniversary) Rum

Review: El Dorado Grand Special Reserve Rum (91.5/100) Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Guyana’s Independence from Britain Review by: Chip Dykstra (Aka The Rum Howler) Published June 23, 2016

El Dorado Rum has recently announced the release of a new special edition rum which celebrates the 50th Year Anniversary of Guyana’s Independence from Britain. This Anniversary Rum is produced from a blend of rums aged 33 to 50 years , and finished with a soupcon of aged pot still rums surviving from El Dorado’s heritage Double Wooden Pot Still and a since-discontinued John Dore Copper Kettle Still .

The completed rum is bottled at 43 % alcohol by volume and presented in a distinctive crystal decanter adorned by an 18 carat gold collectible medallion . Only 600 bottles will be produced, each individually signed and numbered by the El Dorado Master Blender .

In the Bottle 5/5

I was sent a smaller media sample of this rum rather than a full bottle (not even the Rum Howler gets a full bottle of this special rum for review purposes), and so my judgement of the presentation is based upon the bottle shots sent to me by the Ontario distributor (Woodman Wine and Spirits) of El Dorado Rum .

The rum arrives in a gold coloured gift box and crystal decanter as shown to the left. The gift box has two front door panels with circular windows positioned such that the 18 Carat Gold collector’s medallion which adorns each bottle is visible in the window. When these door panels are swung open, each panel contains a separate certificate, the first identifies the rum as being produced to celebrate Guyana’s fifty years of independence, the second verifying that the rum is produced from a blend of spirits which have all been aged for up to half a century. The second certificate is individually numbered and signed by the El Dorado Master Blender .

I like the decanter especially as it has a longer neck than many such bottles. The medium long neck will make pouring easier, and since the rum costs $3500.00 per bottle, saving every drop is important. The double certificates which come with the bottle seems to be a little strange as the information upon the first certificate could easily have been added to the second which is signed by the master blender. However, overall the presentation seems quite nice. A rum which celebrates 50 years of independence and features rum within the blend which was distilled in the same year as which that independence was granted is a very cool idea.

In the Glass 9.5/10

When I poured a portion of the Grand Reserve rum into my glencairn, the well aged rum showed me a nice rich coppery hue. The rum is slightly thickened, and when I tilted my glass and swirled it, I saw that the spirit had left an oily sheen on the inside of the glass the crest of which was very reluctant to give up any droplets at all. The rum finally lays down thick leglets which drop slowly down the inside of my glass.

The initial aroma is rich and intimidating with dark caramel and treacle aromas rising laced with the smells of oak sap, tar-like asphalt and gluey resin. Wisps of dry fruit (raisins and dates) and hints of licorice and menthol mingle within as do a impressions of vanilla, dark brown sugar, and cinnamon. As the glass sits the complexity builds with damp cigar tobacco, espresso coffee and sweetened canned fruit (peaches and apricots).

In my opinion, this is an almost perfect nose.

In the Mouth 54.5/60

If I was to use only one descriptor for the Fifty Year Independence Rum it would be, spice bomb !

This is a well aged rum with much of the blend having spent 50 years in the tropics aging in oak barrels. Within those oak casks, the sweet caramel flavours of the charred barrels would have been given to the rum early, and then the next flavours to be exhausted from the barrel would have been the vanillans, nutty almond-like flavours and some fruity flavours resembling apricots and pears. When those earlier flavours were exhausted within the oak barrels, a fine spicy, woody sap would have been all that was left to be given to the rum. The trick when aging a spirit for such a lengthy time is to make sure that enough of the early flavours are imparted such that the fine spicy sap which continues to be drawn from the oak does not overwhelm the final spirit.

In this case, the balancing point is precarious, for every time I sip the rum, spice threatens to overwhelm me. But, tempering that spice is that lovely underlying caramel sweetness and a warm vanilla presence, and somewhat surprisingly, a soothing menthol that cools the palate with each sip. The rum is not too sweet, nor is there too much vanilla or menthol; but there is just enough of these flavours such that I can revel in the spice without being engulfed.

There are of course oodles of other flavours to pique my interest: soothing eucalyptus, bits of cinnamon, a touch of salty sea brine, hints of iodine and tar, camphor, and a huge floral component which I can only describe as an explosion of lilac and hyacinth. The rum is a spice bomb; but it is also much more.

In the Throat 13.5/15

I am impressed by the smoothness which the rum displays in the finish. All that spice in the delivery threatens to deluge my senses, yet I can take a liberal swallow with nary a hint of burn. The mouth and throat are left heated by wood spice, yet at the same time they feel the gentle coolness of vanilla and mint. The finale features additional trailing flavours of maple and butterscotch accented by cinnamon, menthol and licorice. My final impressions are of a light saltiness and gentle tar-like impression which lingers within the wood spice.

The Afterburn 9/10

The El Dorado Grand Special Reserve Rum was produced to celebrate the 50 Year Anniversary of Guyana’s Independence from Britain . In my opinion the spirit produced is a fitting tribute in terms of both flavour and character. The well aged rum is full of hot spice and fine sap; however, it is also full of the rich character of the Demerara countryside from which it was born.

Note: The El Dorado Grand Special Reserve is available in Ontario, the last price quoted to me was $3500.00 per 750 ml bottle.

You may read some of my other Rum Reviews (click the link) if you wish to have some comparative reviews.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

As always you may interpret the scores I provide as follows.

0-25 A spirit with a rating this low would actually kill you. 26-49 Depending upon your fortitude you might actually survive this. 50 -59 You are safe to drink this…but you shouldn’t. 60-69 Substandard swill which you may offer to people you do not want to see again. 70-74 Now we have a fair mixing rum or whisky. Accept this but make sure it is mixed into a cocktail. 75-79 You may begin to serve this to friends, again probably still cocktail territory. 80-84 We begin to enjoy this spirit neat or on the rocks. (I will still primarily mix cocktails) 85-89 Excellent for sipping or for mixing! 90-94 Definitely a primary sipping spirit, in fact you may want to hoard this for yourself. 95-97.5 The Cream of the Crop 98+ I haven’t met this bottle yet…but I want to.

Very loosely we may put my scores into terms that you may be more familiar with on a Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal scale as follows:

70 – 79.5 Bronze Medal (Recommended only as a mixer) 80 – 89.5 Silver Medal (Recommended for sipping and or a high quality mixer) 90 – 95 Gold Medal (Highly recommended for sipping and for sublime cocktails.) 95.5+ Platinum Award (Highest Recommendation)

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El Dorado Rum 15 years

The number one rum in the Caribbean – every year. Long recognized as the premier rum of the Caribbean, continuously conquering most awards for over 10 years, El Dorado Special 15 Year Reserve is known as a very fine, cognac -like rum with the most complex and intriguing character in its class.

✔ Pickup at the parisian store : between Thu 18 and Fri 19

✔ Local carrier : between Thu 25 and Mon 29

British Guyana

Perfect to be sipped, dry or on ice. A classic! A combination of specially selected old rums, some 25 years old, from the Enmore and Diamond Coffey distilleries, the Dying Port, blended and aged to perfection in old oak barrels that have contained bourbon.

Our tasting notes for 15 years

Nose : Senteurs de café noir au nez, orange confite, noisettes, chocolat noir, poivre et vanille riche.

Palate : Palais magnifiquement rond avec énormément de saveurs : fruit tropicaux grillés avec des épices douces

Finish : Soyeux, vibrant et moyennement corsé.

El Dorado Rum

Produced by the Diamond distillery in French Guiana, El Dorado Rum rum fascinates in its distillation method.

Presented in Box
15 years of aging
Distilled from molasses (traditional method)
Aging Tropical

Our packaging is completely shock-proof and 100% recyclable. Our packaging meet all the requirements of many partner carriers, especially for international carriers. They are lightweight, and offer very good result in terms of strength and impact resistance. Your order is ensured during transport against all damage by insurance that we agree with our charges for each of your parcel.

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Collection 2017 - Diamond MBFS Vintage 2005

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Sample 60ml El Dorado Diamond - Vintage 1998

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To discover in the same brand.

El Dorado Albion - Vintage 2004

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El Dorado Port Mourant - Vintage 1997

El Dorado Port Mourant - Vintage 1999

El Dorado Rum 12 years

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Large pipes lie on a dirt pathway, disappearing into the distance under a sky of patchy clouds.

Is Guyana’s Oil a Blessing or a Curse?

More than any single country, Guyana demonstrates the struggle between the consequences of climate change and the lure of the oil economy.

With the discovery of offshore oil, Guyana is now building a natural gas pipeline to bring the byproducts of oil production to a planned energy plant. Credit...

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By Gaiutra Bahadur

Photographs by Keisha Scarville

March 30, 2024

Basjit Mahabir won’t let me in.

I’m trying to persuade Mr. Mahabir to open the padlocked gate of the Wales Estate, where he guards the ramshackle remains of a factory surrounded by miles of fallow sugar cane fields. The growing and grinding of sugar on this plantation about 10 miles from Georgetown, Guyana’s capital, ended seven years ago, and parts of the complex, its weathered zinc walls the color of rust, have been sold for scrap.

I plead my case. “I lived here when I was a little girl,” I say. “My father used to manage the field lab.” Mr. Mahabir is friendly, but firm. I’m not getting in.

The ruins are the vestiges of a sugar industry that, after enriching British colonizers for centuries, was the measure of the nation’s wealth when it achieved independence.

Now the estate is slated to become part of Guyana’s latest boom, an oil rush that is reshaping the country’s future. This nation that lies off the beaten track, population 800,000, is at the forefront of a global paradox: Even as the world pledges to transition away from fossil fuels , developing countries have many short-term incentives to double down on them.

Before oil, outsiders mostly came to Guyana for eco-tourism, lured by rainforests that cover 87 percent of its land. In 2009, the effort to combat global warming turned this into a new kind of currency when Guyana sold carbon credits totaling $250 million, essentially promising to keep that carbon stored in trees. Guyana’s leadership was praised for this planet-saving effort.

Six years later, Exxon Mobil discovered a bounty of oil under Guyana’s coastal waters. Soon the company and its consortium partners, Hess and the Chinese National Offshore Oil Corporation, began drilling with uncommon speed. The oil, now burned mostly in Europe, is enabling more global emissions — and producing colossal wealth.

The find is projected to become Exxon Mobil’s biggest revenue source by decade’s end. The deal that made it possible — and which gave Exxon Mobil the bulk of the proceeds — has been a point of public outcry and even a lawsuit, with a seeming consensus that Guyana got the short end of the stick. But the deal has nonetheless generated $3.5 billion so far for the country, more money than it has ever seen, significantly more than it gained from conserving trees. It’s enough to chart a new destiny.

The government has decided to pursue that destiny by investing even further in fossil fuels. Most of the oil windfall available in its treasury is going to construct roads and other infrastructure, most notably a 152-mile pipeline to carry ashore natural gas, released while extracting oil from Exxon Mobil’s fields, to generate electricity.

The pipeline will snake across the Wales Estate, carrying the gas to a proposed power plant and to a second plant that will use the byproducts to potentially produce cooking gas and fertilizer. With a price tag of more than $2 billion, it’s the most expensive public infrastructure project in the country’s history. The hope is that with a predictable, plentiful supply of cheap energy, the country can develop economically.

At the same time, climate change laps at Guyana’s shores; much of Georgetown is projected to be underwater by 2030.

Countries like Guyana are caught in a perfect storm where the consequences for extracting fossil fuels collide with the incentives to do so. Unlike wealthy countries, they aren’t responsible for most of the carbon emissions that now threaten the planet. “We’re obviously talking about developing countries here, and if there’s so much social and economic development that still needs to happen, then it’s hard to actually demand a complete ban on fossil fuels,” says Maria Antonia Tigre, a director at the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University. Still, she insists, “we’re in a moment in the climate crisis where no one can get a pass.”

This struggle between the existential threats of climate change and the material gains dangled by fossil fuels bedevils rich countries, too. The International Energy Agency predicts that oil demand will peak in five years as big economies transition to renewable sources. But it is a transition of indeterminate length, and in the meantime, the Biden administration approved drilling in the Alaska wilderness just last year, and the United States is producing more oil than ever in its history. A country like Guyana, with an emerging economy, has even more reason to jump at temptation.

The country has already been transformed. Next to its famously elegant but decaying colonial architecture, new houses, hotels, malls, gyms and offices of concrete and glass crop up constantly. Trucks carrying quartz sand for all this construction judder along the highways. While nearly half of Guyanese still live below the poverty line, the country is bustling with possibility, and newcomers arrive from around the world. During a five-month stay there, I met a logistics manager from Sri Lanka, a nightclub singer from Cuba, a Briton developing a shrimp farm and a Nigerian security guard who joked that a sure sign that Guyana had become a hustler’s paradise was that he was there.

As I survey the stranded assets of the sugar works on the Wales Estate, imagining the steel pipes to come, the gleaming future Guyana’s government promises feels haunted by its past as a colony cursed by its resources. The potential for the petroleum boom to implode is in plain sight next door, where Venezuela — which has recently resurrected old claims to much of Guyana’s territory — is a mess of corruption, authoritarian rule and economic volatility.

For centuries, foreign powers set the terms for this sliver of South America on the Atlantic Ocean. The British, who first took possession in 1796, treated the colony as a vast sugar factory. They trafficked enslaved Africans to labor on the plantations and then, after abolition, found a brutally effective substitute by contracting indentured servants, mainly from India. Mr. Mahabir, who worked cutting cane for most of his life, is descended from those indentured workers, as am I.

Fifty-seven years ago, the country shook off its imperial shackles, but genuine democracy took more time. On the eve of independence, foreign meddling installed a leader who swiftly became a dictator. Tensions between citizens of African and Indian descent, encouraged under colonialism, turned violent at independence and set off a bitter contest for governing supremacy that continues to this day. Indigenous groups have been courted by both sides in this political and ethnic rivalry.

It wasn’t until the early 1990s that Guyana held its first free and fair elections. The moment was full of possibility. The institutions of democracy, such as an independent judiciary, began to emerge. And the legislature passed a series of robust environmental laws.

Now that Exxon Mobil has arrived to extract a new resource, some supporters of democracy and the environment see those protections as endangered. They criticize the fossil-fuel giant, with global revenue 10 times the size of Guyana’s gross domestic product, as a new kind of colonizer and have sued their government to press it to enforce its laws and regulations. The judge in one of those cases has rebuked the country’s Environmental Protection Agency as being “submissive” toward the oil industry.

Addressing some of these activists at a recent public hearing, Vickram Bharrat, the minister of natural resources, defended the government’s oversight of oil and gas. “There’s no evidence of bias toward any multinational corporations,” he said. Exxon Mobil, in an emailed statement, said its work on the natural gas project would “help provide lower-emissions, reliable, gas-powered electricity to Guyanese consumers.”

The world is at a critical juncture, and Guyana sits at the intersection. The country of my birth is a tiny speck on the planet, but the discovery of oil there has cracked open questions of giant significance. How can wealthy countries be held to account for their promises to move away from fossil fuels? Can the institutions of a fragile democracy keep large corporations in check? And what kind of future is Guyana promising its citizens as it places bets on commodities that much of the world is vowing to make obsolete?

Along a sandy beach, people take photographs with their phones alongside large rocks, one painted with a smiley face.

A land of new possibilities

Oil has created a Guyana with pumpkin spice lattes. The first Starbucks store appeared outside the capital last year; it was such a big deal that the president and the American ambassador attended the opening. People still “lime” — hang out — with local Carib beer and boomboxes on the storied sea wall, but those with the cash can now go for karaoke and fancy cocktails at a new Hard Rock Cafe.

The influx of wealth has introduced new tensions along economic lines in an already racially divided country. Hyperinflation has made fish, vegetables and other staples costlier, and many Guyanese feel priced out of pleasures in their own country. A new rooftop restaurant, described to me as “pizza for Guyana’s 1 percent” by its consultant chef from Brooklyn, set off a backlash on social media for serving a cut of beef that costs $335, as much as a security guard in the capital earns in a month.

This aspirational consumerist playground is grafted onto a ragged infrastructure. Lexus S.U.V.s cruise new highways but must still gingerly wade through knee-deep floods in Georgetown when it rains, thanks to bad drainage. Electricity, the subject of much teeth-sucking and dark humor, is expensive and erratic. It’s also dirty, powered by heavy fuel, a tarlike residue from refining oil. In 2023, 96 blackouts halted activity across the country for an average of one hour each. A growing number of air-conditioners taxing aging generators are partly to blame, but the system has been tripped up by weeds entangling transmission lines, backhoes hitting power poles and once, infamously, a rat.

The country’s larger companies — makers of El Dorado rum, timber producers — generate their own electricity outside the power grid. Small companies, however, don’t have that option. This year, the Inter-American Development Bank cited electrical outages as a major obstacle to doing business in Guyana.

The government’s investment in a natural gas pipeline and power plant offers the prospect of steady and affordable power. The gas, a byproduct of Exxon Mobil’s drilling, tends not to be commercialized and is often flared off as waste, emitting greenhouse gases in the process. But at the government’s request, Exxon Mobil and its consortium partners agreed to send some of the natural gas to the Wales site. The consortium is supposed to supply it without cost, but no official sales agreement has been made public yet.

At international conferences, rich countries have pledged to help poorer, lower-emitting ones to raise their living standards sustainably with renewable energy, but the money has fallen short . Natural gas is cleaner than the heavy fuel Guyana now uses, and the country’s leaders claim that it will serve as an eventual bridge to renewable energy. The fact that it’s not as clean as solar or other renewable sources seems, to some local manufacturers, beside the point because the status quo is so challenging.

During blackouts, Upasna Mudlier, who runs Denmor Garments, a textile company that makes uniforms, fire safety jackets and lingerie, has to send home the two dozen seamstresses she employs. That means a big hit in productivity. A chemist in her late 30s, she inherited the company from her father. Ms. Mudlier was nervous about networking in the burly crush of the male-dominated local business elite, but she nonetheless attended an event hosted by a business development center funded by Exxon Mobil. She leaned in, and it paid off: She won a contract to make a thousand coveralls for workers building an oil production vessel headed for Guyana’s waters.

It was a bright spot nonetheless dimmed by her electric bill. An astounding 40 percent of her operating budget goes to paying for power. Ms. Mudlier is eager for the natural gas plant. Cheaper, reliable energy could allow her to price her products to compete internationally.

Textiles are a tiny niche in Guyana, but hers is the kind of manufacturing that experts say Guyana needs to avoid becoming a petroleum state. Ms. Mudlier agrees with the government’s messaging on the gas project. “It will create more jobs for people and bring more investments into our country and more diversity to our economy,” she said.

Widespread anxiety that the best new jobs would go to foreigners led to a law that sets quotas for oil and gas companies to hire and contract with locals. Komal Singh, a construction magnate in his mid-50s, has benefited from the law. Mr. Singh, who directs an influential government advisory body on business policy, works as a joint partner with international companies building the Wales pipeline and treating toxic waste from offshore oil production.

“We say to them, ‘It’s you, me and Guyanese,’” he told me. “If Guyanese are not part of the show, end of conversation.”

Guyana has lost a greater share of its people than any other country, with two in five people born there living abroad. So the oil boom and the local partner requirement have set off something of a frenzy for passports and have fueled debate over who, exactly, is Guyanese. I met a British private equity manager with a Guyanese mother who obtained citizenship shortly after his second visit to the country. One local partner’s contested citizenship became a matter for the High Court.

With the value of land and housing skyrocketing, some local property owners have profited by becoming landlords to expats or by selling abandoned fields at Manhattan prices for commercial real estate. But to many Guyanese, it has seemed as if “comebackees,” the term for returning members of the diaspora, or the politically connected elite are the most poised to benefit from the boom.

Sharia Bacchus returned to Guyana after two decades living in Florida. Ms. Bacchus, who has family connections in the government and private sector, started her own real estate brokerage. She rents apartments and houses to expats for as much as $6,000 a month.

I shadowed her as she showed a prospective buyer — a retired U.S. Marine of Guyanese descent — a duplex condo in a coveted new gated community. She eagerly pointed out amenities that comebackees want: air-conditioning, a pool and, of course, an automatic backup generator.

“If you lose power at any time, you don’t have to worry about that,” she said, reassuringly.

The ghosts of the past

As glimpses of this new Guyana emerge, the ghosts of the past linger. A year ago, a Georgetown hotel, hustling like so many to take advantage of the new oil money, staged a $170-a-head rum-tasting event called “Night at the Estate House.” I’d been trying, unsuccessfully, to interview Exxon Mobil’s top brass in Guyana. When I heard rumors that its country manager would attend, I bought a ticket and, though he was a no-show, I found a seat with his inner circle.

As we sipped El Dorado rum in the garden of a colonial-style mansion, one of the event’s hosts gave a speech that invoked a time when “B.G.,” the insider’s shorthand for British Guiana, the country’s colonial name, also stood for Booker’s Guiana. Now, the speaker observed matter-of-factly, “it’s Exxon’s Guyana.”

Booker McConnell was a British multinational originally founded by two brothers who became rich on sugar and enslaved people. At one point, the company owned 80 percent of the sugar plantations in British Guiana, including the Wales Estate. The Exxon Mobil executive sitting next to me didn’t know any of this. His face reddened when I told him that the speaker had just placed his employer in a long line of corporate colonialism.

Independence came in 1966, but the U.S. and British governments engineered into power Guyana’s first leader, Forbes Burnham, a Black lawyer whom they deemed more pliable than Cheddi Jagan, a radical son of Indian plantation laborers, who was seen as a Marxist peril. But Burnham grew increasingly dictatorial as well as, in a twist of geopolitical fate, socialist.

Booker, which would later give its name to the Booker Prize in literature, still owned Wales at independence. But in the mid-1970s, Burnham took control of the country’s resources, nationalizing sugar production as well as bauxite mining. Like other former colonies, Guyana wanted to make its break with imperialism economic as well as political.

Burnham pushed the idea of economic independence to the breaking point, banning all imports. Staples from abroad, such as cooking oil, potatoes, wheat flour and split peas, had to be replaced with local substitutes. But Guyana didn’t have the farms and factories to meet the demand, so people turned to the black market, waited in ration lines and went hungry.

Guyana was 15 years free when my family arrived on the Wales Estate, by then part of the nationalized Guyana Sugar Company; my parents, then in their 20s, were young, too. My father, the son of plantation laborers, had just earned a natural sciences degree from the University of Guyana, founded at independence to educate the people who would build the new nation. As field lab manager, he tested sucrose in the cane to determine harvest time and oversaw the trapping of rats and snakes in the fields.

We lived in a former overseer’s house two doors from the estate’s main gate, where Mr. Mahabir now stands sentinel, and my mother taught high school in the guard’s village. My parents had only ever studied by kerosene lamp or gas lantern — but this house had electricity, generated on the estate by burning sugar cane trash.

I can remember at age 6 the cold delicacy of a refrigerated apple, a Christmas present from American aunts. It wouldn’t be long before we joined them.

Rigged elections kept Burnham in power for two decades of hardship and insecurity, both ethnic and economic. As soon as our long-awaited green cards allowing entry to the United States were approved, we left, participating in an exodus that created a “barrel economy,” with many communities sustained by money and care packages sent in barrels from relatives abroad. That exodus gutted Guyana: Today, less than 3 percent of the population is college educated.

Burnham’s death in 1985 touched off a series of events that began to change the country. Within seven years, Guyana held its first free and fair elections. Jagan, by then an old man, was elected president. Soon, a younger generation of his party took office and wholeheartedly embraced capitalism. Private companies could once again bid for Guyana’s vast resources. Corruption, endemic in the Burnham era, took new forms.

Then came proof of the dangers of unchecked extraction. In 1995, a dam at a Canadian-owned gold mine gave way. The 400 million gallons of cyanide-laced waste it had held back fouled two major rivers. Simone Mangal-Joly, now an environmental and international development specialist, was among the scientists on the ground testing cyanide levels in the river. The waters had turned red, and Indigenous villagers covered themselves in plastic to protect their skin. “It’s where they bathed,” Ms. Mangal-Joly recalled. “It was their drinking water, their cooking water, their transportation.”

The tragedy led to action. The next year, the government passed its first environmental protection law. Seven years later, the right to a healthy environment was added to the Constitution. Guyana managed to enshrine what the United States and Canada, for instance, have not.

For a moment, Guyana’s natural capital — the vast tropical rainforests that make it one of the very few countries that is a net carbon sink — was among its most prized assets. Bharrat Jagdeo, then president, sold the carbon stored in its forests to Norway to offset pollution from that country’s own petroleum production in 2009. Indigenous groups received $20 million from that deal to develop their villages and gain title to their ancestral lands, though some protested that they had little input. Mr. Jagdeo was hailed as a United Nations “Champion of the Earth.”

And then Exxon Mobil struck oil.

The vision of a green Guyana now vies with its fast-rising status as one of the largest new sources of oil in the world. The country’s sharply divided political parties stand in rare accord on drilling. Mr. Jagdeo, who is now Guyana’s vice president but still dictates much government policy, is a fervent supporter of the Wales project.

But a small, steadfast, multiracial movement of citizens is testing the power of the environmental laws. David Boyd, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights and the environment, describes the country as a front line for litigation using innovative rights arguments to fight climate change. It includes the first constitutional climate change case in the region, brought by an Indigenous tour guide and a university lecturer.

Not all critics of the petroleum development are environmentalists. What unites them is the belief that the nation’s hard-won constitutional protections should be stronger than any corporation.

‘The rule of law is the rule of law.’

Liz Deane-Hughes comes from a prominent family. Her father founded one of Georgetown’s most respected law firms, and in the 1980s, back in Burnham’s time, he fought against repressive changes to the constitution. She remembers her parents taking her to rousing rallies led by a multiracial party battling Burnham’s rule. When she was 13, she came home one day to find police officers searching their home. “I lived through the 1980s in Guyana,” says Ms. Deane-Hughes, who practiced at the family firm before quitting the law. “So I do not want to go back there on any level.”

I talked to Ms. Deane-Hughes, now an artist and jewelry designer, on the sprawling veranda of a colonial-style house built on land that has been in her family for five generations. The government has claimed part of it for the natural gas pipeline, which crosses private property as well as the Wales Estate. But the issue, she told me, is bigger than her backyard.

Last month, Ms. Deane-Hughes joined other activists, virtually, at a hearing before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, making the argument that oil companies have compromised environmental governance in Guyana. This coterie of activists have spoken out and filed suits to bring the corporation under the scrutiny of the country’s laws and regulations.

Ms. Mangal-Joly, who responded to the cyanide disaster that prompted those environmental laws, says the government has failed to fulfill its oversight duties. As part of her doctoral research at University College London, she found that Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency had waived the environmental assessments for every facility treating toxic waste or storing radioactive materials produced by offshore oil production.

The gas plant, too, has been given a pass. In January, the E.P.A. waived the environmental assessment for the proposed Wales plant because Exxon Mobil, although it isn’t building the plant, had done one for the pipeline.

The E.P.A. defended the decision. “It is good and common practice” to rely on existing environmental assessments “even when done by other project developers,” wrote an agency spokeswoman on behalf of its executive director. The agency asserted its right to waive assessments as it sees fit and noted that the courts hadn’t overturned its exemptions, saying, “This no doubt speaks to the E.P.A.’s high degree of technical competence and culture of compliance within the laws of Guyana.”

Ms. Mangal-Joly notes that the power plant sits above an aquifer that supplies drinking water to most of the country. “Our water table is shallow,” she says. “There’s a generation, and generations to come, that will not inherit clean water. We are despoiling a resource far more valuable than oil.”

The waiver infuriated Ms. Deane-Hughes. And the independence of the board that hears citizen concerns struck her as a sham. Its chairman, Mahender Sharma, heads Guyana’s energy agency, and his wife directs the new government company created to manage the power plant. At a hearing of the board, Ms. Deane-Hughes cited the mandate against conflicts of interest in the Environmental Protection Act and asked Mr. Sharma to recuse himself. “I would like you not to make a decision,” she told him.

Six weeks later, the board did make a decision: It allowed the power company to keep its environmental permit without doing an impact statement.

Mr. Sharma, the energy director, dismissed the critics as a privileged intellectual elite sheltered from the deprivations that have led many Guyanese to welcome the oil industry.

At the Inter-American commission meeting, Mr. Bharrat, the minister of natural resources, argued that it is his government’s right as well as its responsibility to balance economic growth with sustainability. “Our country’s development and environmental protection are not irreconcilable aims,” he told them. And he reminded them that they can turn to the courts with their complaints.

Guyana’s highest court has dealt the activists both setbacks and victories. In one of the more consequential cases, activists have thus far prevailed. Frederick Collins, who heads the local anti-corruption group Transparency Institute of Guyana, sued the E.P.A. for not requiring Exxon Mobil’s local subsidiaries to carry a more substantial insurance policy. Mr. Collins argued that the existing $600 million policy was inadequate in the extreme. Major oil spills aren’t rare — two happen worldwide every year. The biggest blowout ever, at BP’s Deepwater Horizon, cost that company $64 billion. The deepwater drilling in Guyana is the riskiest kind.

A retired insurance executive and Methodist preacher, Mr. Collins had been feeling pessimistic about the case ever since the judge allowed Exxon Mobil, with its daunting resources, to join the E.P.A. as a defendant a year ago. In legal filings, the defendants had dismissed him as a “meddlesome busybody” without legal standing to bring the suit.

But in May, the judge, Sandil Kissoon, pilloried the E.P.A. as “a derelict, pliant” agency whose “state of inertia and slumber” had “placed the nation, its citizens and the environment in grave peril.” He found that the insurance held by Exxon Mobil’s local subsidiary failed to meet international standards and ordered the parent company to guarantee its unlimited liability for all disaster costs — or stop drilling. The case is being appealed.

An Exxon Mobil spokesperson said by email that the company’s insurance is “adequate and appropriate” and that a $2 billion guarantee it recently provided, at the order of the court considering the appeal, “exceeds industry precedent and the estimate of potential liability.”

At a news conference, Mr. Jagdeo, the vice president, criticized the ruling and called on Guyana’s courts to make “predictable” decisions. “We are playing in the big leagues now,” he said. “We are not a backwater country where you can do whatever you want and get away with it.”

To Melinda Janki, the lawyer handling most of the activists’ suits and one of the few local lawyers willing to take on the oil companies, the question is whether Exxon Mobil can get away with doing whatever it wants. She helped shape some of Guyana’s strongest environmental laws. “Even though this is a massive oil company,” she said, “they still have to obey the law. The rule of law is the rule of law.”

The dissidents are deploying the law in their fight against the oil giant and the government, but with billions on the line, they’re also combating the currents of public opinion.

A fossil fuel economy in a changing world

For all the misery wrought by sugar during the colonial era, its legacy as an economic powerhouse lingers in local memory.

In Patentia, the village closest to Wales, where I attended first grade, laid-off sugar workers remember the estate as the center of the community. When its 1,000 workers lost their jobs, thousands more were sent reeling, as businesses from rum shops to mom-and-pop groceries folded.

The Guyana Sugar Corporation, then the country’s largest employer, eliminated a third of its work force, leaving about a fifth of the population coping with the effects of unemployment.

The timing of the closures, a year after the oil discovery, raised hopes that the petroleum industry might somehow fill the void. Seven years after the closures, however, most sugar workers haven’t found new jobs. Certainly, very few are employed by the petroleum industry.

Their struggle raises a crucial question for Guyana as it wrestles with the transition from the old economy to the new: How can Guyanese without the skills or education for petroleum jobs benefit? Nested within that quandary ticks another: What if the new economy isn’t so new? What if its petroleum-driven vision of progress is actually already outdated?

Thomas Singh, a behavioral economist who founded the University of Guyana’s Green Institute, has argued for transforming the still-active sugar industry’s waste into cellulosic ethanol, a cutting-edge biofuel. But Mr. Sharma, the energy agency head, says the industry is too small for its cane husks to power very much. Some of the jackpot from Norway for carbon offsets has been earmarked for eight small solar farms, but Mr. Sharma, who drives an electric car and has solar panels at his house, maintains that solar energy is too expensive to be a primary power source, despite arguments to the contrary . The giant hydroelectric project the Norway deal was supposed to fund, powered by a waterfall, has long been stalled.

What dominates the local imagination now is oil and gas. During my stay in Guyana, I kept hearing the calypso song “ Not a Blade of Grass ” on the radio. Written in the 1970s as a patriotic rallying cry and a stand against Venezuela, which threatened to annex two-thirds of Guyana, it has made a comeback with a new cover version. (So, too, have Venezuela’s threats .) The lyrics, to an outsider’s ear, sound like an anthem against Exxon Mobil: “When outside faces from foreign places talk about takin’ over, we ain’t backin’ down.” But in Guyana, it has been invoked recently to assert the nation’s right to pump its own oil. The voices against drilling, however outspoken, remain isolated; the more passionate debate is over whether Guyana should renegotiate its contract to get a bigger take of the oil proceeds.

Oil is seen as such a boon that even questioning how it’s regulated can be branded unpatriotic. Journalists, academics, lawyers, workers at nongovernmental organizations and even former E.P.A. employees confided their fear of being ostracized if they spoke against petroleum.

Since becoming an adult, I’ve returned to Guyana every few years to research the country’s past and its legacies. During this recent trip, an elder statesman I interviewed told me that it was time I moved back permanently. The thought points to a hope, reawakened by oil, that Guyana can reclaim its lost people. But from my recent trips back to the country, it’s hard to tell now what Guyana is becoming, and who will thrive there as it evolves.

The house my family lived in on the Wales Estate still stands. It has been freshly painted and refurbished, with a daunting sign outside threatening trespassers with closed-circuit television, dogs and drone surveillance. It has passed into private hands. Exactly who owns it is a matter of speculation. The rumor in Patentia? A former sugar worker from Wales repeated it to me: “Exxon owns that house.”

Do you have a connection to Guyana?

It’s still early days in Guyana’s transformation, and the events unfolding in Guyana will have a notable impact worldwide. We’d like to hear your perspectives on where the country is heading. We especially want to engage Guyanese people and those with family or ancestral connections to the country.

The Headway initiative is funded through grants from the Ford Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), with Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors serving as a fiscal sponsor. The Woodcock Foundation is a funder of Headway’s public square. Funders have no control over the selection, focus of stories or the editing process and do not review stories before publication. The Times retains full editorial control of the Headway initiative.

Gaiutra Bahadur is the author of “Coolie Woman: The Odyssey of Indenture.” She teaches English and journalism as an associate professor at Rutgers University in Newark.

A Guide to Sugar and Other Sweeteners

One of the best things you can do for your health is to cut back on foods with added sugar . Here’s how to get started .

A W.H.O. agency has classified aspartame as a possible carcinogen . If the announcement has you worried, consider these alternatives to diet soda .

A narrative that sugar feeds cancer has been making the rounds for decades. But while a healthy diet is important, you can’t “starve a tumor.”

Sugar alcohols are in many sugar-free foods. What are they, and are they better than regular sugar ?

Many parents blame sugar for their children’s hyperactive behavior . But the myth has been debunked .

Are artificial sweeteners a healthy alternative to sugar? The W.H.O. warned against using them , saying that long-term use could pose health risks.

IMAGES

El Dorado Rum (Guyana) 12yr 700ml
El Dorado Guyana Rum Review
El Dorado aged 15 years Guyana rum 43% vol. 0.70 l
El Dorado Guyana Rum Review
El Dorado Rum Finest Demerara, l'oro liquido della Guyana
El Dorado 21-Year-Old Special Reserve Rum: Searching Out Guyana’s Rich

COMMENTS

El Dorado Rum
Aged Deeper. Not all rums are created equal. Created on the banks of Demerara, our smooth and uniquely complex El Dorado aged rums represent over 300 years of Caribbean rum crafting. Faithfully continuing to use our original wooden heritage stills, we are masters in skilfully coaxing out rich & diverse characters from within the spirit.
El Dorado Rums: Not Cheap but Incredible Value for Money
A great initiative, although given that the route is some 200 kilometers and Guyana has only the one distillery these days, there might be a fair bit of downtime on the tour. El Dorado rums. 12-Year-Old - This is made from both their wooden and metal Coffey stills. 40%. A pale bronze-gold hue.
El Dorado Rum Tasting Experience
Guyana's El Dorado rums are the best in the world! And that is not just us making this claim. No other rum has been voted best in the world more than once. However, the El Dorado 15-year-old has won nine awards and the 12-year-old is not far behind with five awards. The county of Demerara in Guyana has been steeped in the history of sugar and rum production since the 17th century. Today ...
El Dorado Rum Tasting Experience
El Dorado Rum Tasting Experience. $ 115.00. Guyana's El Dorado rums are the best in the world! And that is not just us making this claim. No other rum has been voted best in the world more than once. However, the El Dorado 15-year-old has won nine awards and the 12-year-old is not far behind with five awards.
Guyana Rum Route
If rum is your chosen tipple, Guyana is a must-visit destination! With strong cultural ties to the Caribbean, Guyana has a rich heritage of over two centuries producing some of the world's finest rum, including the world-renowned El Dorado Rum. Experiencing Guyana's RumA fascinating official Rum Route, launched in collaboration with the Caribbean Tourism Organization's Heritage Routes ...
El Dorado 15-Year-Old Rum: A Voyage Through Liquid Gold
Employing centuries-old, wooden stills unique to the Demerara Distillers Limited, El Dorado is distilled with precision and passion, paying homage to its Caribbean heritage. This 15-year-old marvel slumbers in oak casks, patiently acquiring its complex profile and stunning depth. As it rests, it weaves an intricate tapestry of flavors ...
El Dorado Guyana Rum Review
El Dorado Awards. The more I read about El Dorado and the Diamond Distillery, the more excited I was to try their 12-year-old rum. Even more so when I discovered this particular rum had been voted best in the world at the inaugural 2018 Caribbean Rum Awards, as well as picking up a host of other trophies and medals in the last few years.
Demerara Distillers
July 19, 2021: The Demerara Rum Single Document for Geographical Indication (GI) purposes was published by the European Union on April 8th, 2021 for a three month period with no objections. ... Demerara Distillers Limited is one of the leading manufacturing companies in Guyana and an internationally recognised producer of award-winning rums ...
7 Best El Dorado Rums: A Journey Through Time & Taste
Country: Guyana; Colour: Deep Amber; Review. El Dorado 15 Year Old rum is where elegance meets power. It's a sophisticated and robust rum, a true reflection of its heritage. On The Nose. Dark chocolate, rum-soaked coffee, and a whiff of oak. On The Palate. Deep and layered, with notes of caramel, leather, and a touch of smokiness.
El Dorado Rum
The name El Dorado has a history in Guyana. Since 1670, over 300 years ago, the rum was named after the city known as El Dorado, the name of an Indian... Since 1670, over 300 years ago, the rum was named after the city known as El Dorado, the name of an Indian chief who founded the golden city, according to...
Review: El Dorado Rums
Hailing from Guyana, El Dorado makes what is known as demerara rum, which is simply a rum from the Guyana area that is made using demerara sugar, aka % ... El Dorado Rum 15 Years Old ups the age another three years, creating a spirit even darker in color and richer in flavor. Wood comes through stronger on this one, with mint and herb fading ...
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The Eldorado Duty-free shop is located at the Departure terminal. For further information, El Dorado can be contacted on +592 261-2237 or via email: [email protected]. Main Office: Demerara Distillers Limited Diamond Complex, East Bank Demerara, Guyana. [email protected].
Guyana's Gold: El Dorado Rum
Perfect for savouring by the fire on a crisp fall evening. El Dorado Single Still Port Mourant Rum 2006. The El Dorado Single Still Port Mourant Rum is produced from the Double Wooden Pot Still - the only one of its kind still in use today. Constructed in 1732 on the Port Mourant Estate, this still was later moved to the Uitvlugt Estate, and ...
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El Dorado Tours, Georgetown, Guyana. 15,916 likes · 1 talking about this · 1 was here. See the World in Comfort
El Dorado Grand Special Reserve (50th Anniversary) Rum
Published June 23, 2016. El Dorado Rum has recently announced the release of a new special edition rum which celebrates the 50th Year Anniversary of Guyana's Independence from Britain. This Anniversary Rum is produced from a blend of rums aged 33 to 50 years, and finished with a soupcon of aged pot still rums surviving from El Dorado's ...
DDL launches 2023 'El Dorado Master Blender' special edition rum
DEMERARA Distillers Limited (DDL) on Wednesday launched the 2023 El Dorado Master Blender Special Edition 11-Year-Old Rum in celebration of its 11th year as the official spirit of the Caribbean Premium League (CPL). The special event was held on Tuesday at the Guyana Marriott Hotel. Matured for 11 years, like El Dorado's partnership with CPL ...
El Dorado 12-Year
Demerara Distillers of Guyana produces El Dorado 12-year rum and is the country's last remaining distillery, with origins tracing back to 1670. The name ""El Dorado"" references the legendary city of gold that is said to be in the country's Rupununi region. Buy Now (RR) $40.99. 7.6/10. 1386 ratings.
El Dorado Rum
Long recognized as the premier rum of the Caribbean, continuously winning most awards for over 10 years, El Dorado Special Reserve 15 years is known as a very fine rum, resembling cognac and possessing the most complex and intricate character of its class. Read more. €59.00. Last quantities available. Taste before 6.0CL for €7.90.
Is Guyana's Oil a Blessing or a Curse?
As we sipped El Dorado rum in the garden of a colonial-style mansion, one of the event's hosts gave a speech that invoked a time when "B.G.," the insider's shorthand for British Guiana ...
El Dorado 15 (Onwards 2020) 15-Year
El Dorado 15 (Onwards 2020) 15-Year rum - rated #1367 of 11972 rums: see 45 reviews, photos, other El Dorado rums, and similar Aged rums from Guyana... Rums Discuss Stream ... Country of Origin: Guyana. Distillery: Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) Nose: Raisins, Brown Sugar, Pipe Tobacco, Candied Figs, Prunes, faint Modelers Glue ...
El Dorado 21-Year
El Dorado 21-Year rum - rated #1222 of 11960 rums: see 439 reviews, photos, other El Dorado rums, and similar Aged rums from Guyana... Rums Discuss ... El Dorado 21 is produced near the equator in Guyana by Demerara distillery. The final product is a blend of rums, aged between 21 and 25 years and crafted using 100% locally sourced Demerara ...

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DDL ANNOUNCES FIRST HYBRID FORMAT FOR AGM DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

DDL DONATES 34,000 CASES OF JUICE TO THE CIVIL DEFENSE COMMISSION, PUBLIC HEALTH MINISTRY & CIVIL SOCIETY

DDL DONATES SANITIZING CLEANER TO EDUCATION MINISTRY AS SCHOOLS PREPARE FOR CXC EXAMS

DDL CONTRIBUTES ALCOHOL BASED SANITISING CLEANER TO NATIONAL COVID-19 FIGHT

FARMERS EAGER TO INCREASE FRUIT CULTIVATION

Demerara Distillers Limited is one of the leading manufacturing companies in Guyana and an internationally recognised producer of award-winning rums.

Delve into the diverse yet unique portfolio of quality products manufactured by Demerara Distillers Limited.

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Domestic Spirits & Wines

7 Best El Dorado Rums: A Journey Through Time & Taste

7. El Dorado 25 Year Old Grand Special Reserve

Best El Dorado Rums

1. El Dorado 3 Year Old

On The Nose

On The Palate

Best Served

Pricing & Info

2. El Dorado 5 Year Old

3. El Dorado 8 Year Old

4. El Dorado 12 Year Old

5. El Dorado 15 Year Old

6. El Dorado 21 Year Old Special Reserve

Andrew’s Top Pick

10 Rum Cocktail Ideas

Further Reading

10 Best Pink Gins For This Summer: The 2024 Edition

7 Best Vodkas for a Black Russian to Remember

Discovering the 5 best Rooster Rojo Tequilas

5 Tasty Four Roses Bourbons: Kentucky Whiskey Magic

14 Best American Gin Brands: Exploring USA’s Gin Scene

21 Best Jägermeister Shots: Ultimate Visual Guide

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Review: El Dorado Rums – 12, 15, and 21 Years Old

El Dorado Rum 12 Years Old

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