John Watling’s Mixes Well With Tourists

Whets Visitors’ Appetite

Rum gets better with time.

And even though the John Watling’s Distillery has been around less than five years, it’s proven that even young businesses can make a positive impact to The Bahamas’ tourism industry.

John Watling's Distillery offers complimentary tours at its home, the Buena Vista Estate, in downtown Nassau.

The historic estate, founded in 1789 and overlooking the harbour, is the site where more than 20 Bahamians hand-craft John Watling’s award-winning rums and Red Turtle vodka and provide visitors with a unique experience. 

At the estate, John Watling’s features a production and museum-like tour, shopping and signature all-natural Bahamian cocktails at its Red Turtle Tavern.

Some of the rums include John Watlins Buena Vista, which recently won a gold medal at the Chicago Testing Institute and the John Watling’s gluten-free Red Turtle Vodka that was filtered through the Pink Sands of the island of Eleuthera and charred coconut shells. 

Over the last year, the brewery has attracted more than 98,000 visitors.

Managing Director Pepin Argamasilla says the brewery houses rums from two-years to five-years-old.

“We started restoring the estate about two years ago and at the same time we began aging our rums,” he said.

“It’s a matter of making the experience authentically Bahamian and also adding new production techniques to our products to be able to make them smoother and more premium. Our objective is to give The Bahamas a super premium rum and a premium vodka that we could be proud of.”

The distillery has a unique history as it housed lords and governors that called The Bahamas home even as far back as when George Washington was president of the United States.

“The Bahamas has more than sun, sand and sea. It has a unique culture and a unique history. Culture is what makes the people their own and that’s what we are trying to celebrate here at John Watling’s Distillery – the great past and the great future that this country has,” Mr. Argamasilla said.   

Within walking distance from the cruise ship port in downtown Nassau, John Watling’s Distillery is located on Delancy Street and is open from 10:00 a.m.-6:00p.m., seven days a week except for national holidays.