A Barbadian revival

Just a few years ago, “Stade’s” was known only to a handful of enthusiasts. A name handwritten on bottles, a mark of authenticity. Today, that name is stepping out of the shadows. Stade’s is now an official brand, and its first release pays homage to the past: The Distiller’s Vault Collection.

This is not a simple recreation. It’s a living reinterpretation in liquid form of old documents and forgotten patents, preserved in an incredibly special place: the Distiller’s Vault.

The legacy of George Stade

Founded in 1893 by George Stade, a visionary engineer and distiller, the Stade’s West Indies Rum Distillery has always been a hotbed of innovation. He filed patents, built his own stills, and meticulously documented his experiments. Today, that innovative spirit endures, championed by managing director and historian Andrew Hassell, master distiller Don Benn, and Alexandre Gabriel, master blender all devoted guardians of Barbadian distilling traditions (and beyond!).

"These rums are more than products, they carry a vision forward," shares Don Benn.

Vulcan Two Taps, from a one-of-a-kind Still

Behind this unusual name, Vulcan, Two Taps, lies a story handed down through generations of distillers. When the legendary Vulcan still stalls (which it often does), two well-placed taps on the pipe bring it back to life. A simple gesture that has become the stuff of legend.

Restored in 2018 by Henderson “Digger” Skinner, this chamber still is one of the last original examples in operation anywhere in the world. The rum that was produced in 2019 from this relic from another era is bottled at 50.5% and available exclusively in France, the United States, and Barbados. It delivers a rare intensity - raw and elegant all at the same time.

Old Gregg Fusion: fresh cane meets molasses

This 2022 vintage bridges two rum traditions: pure cane juice and molasses, creating a genuine fusion.

Distilled in our Old Gregg, a century-old copper pot still, then aged in Barbados, these two traditions meet in a perfectly balanced blend.

The result: a captivating interplay between vegetal freshness and molasses depth. A release that celebrates the agricultural roots of rum, embodying our mantra: “Every great spirit begins with agriculture.”

A fleeting collection, a dialogue with the past

Every bottle from The Distiller’s Vault Collection is a one-time creation. Each inspired by historical documents, generations of accumulated knowledge, and stills that simply aren’t made anymore. Far from mere reproductions, these rums are rooted in the past while highlighting the living, evolving production methods at Stade’s West Indies Rum Distillery.

In 2025, this approach was recognized with two major honors: Stade's received the titles of "Rum Producer of the Year" (Bartender Spirits Awards) and "Heritage Distillery of the Year" (American Distilling Institute), both prestigious distinctions in the world of rum.

In bringing these first two rums from The Distiller's Vault Collection to life, Stade's isn’t just making rum, it’s unlocking a living heritage and reviving a story that time had nearly forgotten. For those who appreciate both history and flavor, these limited editions offer a glimpse into Barbadian rum at its finest.