In this mini-series, we will be exploring key styles of rum from the Caribbean and South America.
Event details
Webinar
In this mini-series, we will be exploring key styles of rum from the Caribbean and South America.
Saint Lucia has a long and complex history of sugar plantations and farm distilleries that were found throughout the island. Whilst these days molasses are imported, St Lucia is home to world class rums. We will be joined by Ian John and Lennox Wilson from St. Lucia Distillers to talk about the history of rum on Saint Lucia and how it has evolved as a style.
This webinar is free to attend and open to anyone, no prior spirits knowledge is needed. The new series of bitesize 30-minute webinars are ideal for beginners looking to learn more about rum.
Speaker
Ian John, Distillery & Quality Systems Manager, St. Lucia Distillers
an John has dedicated 23 years to the Alcohol beverage industry, honing his expertise in fermentation, distillation, maturation, and rum blending. His journey began at St. Lucia Distillers Ltd in 1999, where he swiftly mastered the art of blending. In 2002, Ian pursued further development in the field by pursuing studies in Brewing and Distilling at Heriot Watt University, graduating with a Master of Science degree in 2004.
During his time in Scotland, Ian served as a research assistant at the Scottish Whisky Research Institute (SWRI). Ian's expertise then led him to collaborate with WIRSPA as part of the WIRSPA Technical Committee, where he contributed to establishing standardized benchmarks and metrics for fermentation and distillation efficiencies within the industry. Ian's leadership continued to flourish as he took on the responsibility of implementing the HACCP food safety management program at St Lucia Distillers in 2015, a role he still holds today.
Ian was appointed to the role of Distillery and Quality Systems Manager in 2020, overseeing both operational aspects and the management of sugarcane crop operations, including the entire process from planting and harvesting to fermenting sugarcane juice. He now plays an active role along with his colleagues to educate rum lovers about St. Lucia rums so they can appreciate the nuances of the rums produced at St. Lucia Distillers.
Lennox Wilson, Production Manager, St. Lucia Distillers
Lennox Wilson has had more than 33 years working experience in the beverage alcohol industry: 30 years in rum and 3 years in beer, with some overlap along the way. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Applied Chemistry from The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica; a diploma in Management Studies from The Jamaican Institute of Management, Kingston, Jamaica and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Nova South-eastern University, FL, USA. He is a certified taster for distilled spirits and a multiple attendee at Alltech/Ethanol Technology Institute Alcohol School.
Lennox has held many technical and management positions within the beverage alcohol industry in Jamaica, Saint Lucia and USA. He is the chairman of the regional Caribbean committee currently undertaking the revision of the CARICOM Standard for Rum. Lennox is the Production Manager at St. Lucia Distillers Limited in Saint Lucia.
This event does not necessarily constitute official WSET course material and should not be used as such.
This session has been organised in collaboration with the West Indies Rum & Spirits Producers' Association Inc (WIRSPA).
