From the Rockley to the Bond No.8 and the Vulcan still

Our festivities began with an immersive guided tour led by our very own WIRD team. We took our guests back in time with a sneak peek at the revival of the world's oldest rum pot still, the Rockley, dating back to the 1780s.

Our master of ceremonies, Gaynelle Marshall, shared how this still is a treasured symbol of Barbados' heritage. We even threw in a fun challenge – guests tried to guess how many barrels were in the historic Bond No. 8. And, for a pinch of exclusivity, we offered a rare rum tasting directly from our renowned Vulcan still – a treat usually not available to the public.

Unveiling our rich heritage and a limited edition

Andrew Hassell, our Managing Director, then took center stage, diving into the fascinating history and traditions of rum-making in Barbados. He shared stories from our archives, showcasing our 130-year mission to create the world's finest rum.

In honor of this landmark anniversary, we introduced a limited edition 130th Anniversary Stade's Rum. This unique blend is a testament to our craftsmanship, featuring spirits from our Vulcan, Gregg Farm, and John Dore Franklyn stills.

Only 130 cases of this exclusive rum are available, in Barbados through Stansfeld Scott or at the soon-to-open Stade's Visitor Center, priced at $110 USD per bottle, making it a collector's dream!

When Art meets Rum

A pivotal moment was the unveiling of a stunning mural at our Visitor Centre, crafted by talented students from the Fine Arts Department at Barbados Community College. This artwork beautifully encapsulates our rich history and Barbados’ rum legacy, featuring elements like the Pelican, the Pride of Barbados, and our iconic Vulcan and Rockley Stills.

Fifteen dedicated student volunteers invested over five months of hard work and a remarkable 100 hours of painting into this project!

The celebration saw the participation of the Stades family, including the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of our founder, George Stades. They, along with Senior Minister William Duguid, our longest-serving employee Henderson 'Digger' Skinner, and the entire WIRD staff, joined in cutting a cake shaped like a Stade's Rum barrel.

The Grand Finale

Our festivities reached a high point when a lucky guest, who guessed the exact number of casks in Bond No. 8 - an impressive 23,946 casks! - won a 30-liter cask of Plantation's rum. This moment, coupled with performances by local music icons Two Mile Hill and Edwin Yearwood, truly made the evening unforgettable.

We're thrilled to have shared this milestone with our community and look forward to many more years of crafting exceptional rum.

Here's to the past, present, and future of the West Indies Rum Distillery!