Ever wondered why Jamaican rum features so prominently in huge blockbuster films, and is a major pull factor for international visitors to the island every year?

This is your year to find out why and while you're at it, learn about the history of rum-making in Jamaica which dates back to the days when the island was under colonial rule. 

A Jamaican rum adventure should be on your bucket list if you're over the legal drinking age as the island boasts the best rum tours, rum distilleries, and rum festivals for you to enjoy.

So, where do you start?

Here are six of the best rum activities to experience in Jamaica. 

Hampden Rum Experience, Trelawny

The Hampdem Estate is more than 200 years old, making it one of the island's oldest rum distilleries. It is located in the Queen of Spain Valley, about 30 minutes away from Falmouth.

A tour of this distillery includes viewing dunder pits, the boiling house, and cedar fermentation tanks that are more than 150 years old and are still being used today. 

You can book a tour of the estate on weekdays between 10 and 11am.

During your tour, you may notice a bit of recycling of old ingredients to preserve the original taste of the aged rums. 

Hampden is the manufacturer of the RumFire Overproof Rum and other aged rums. 

Montego Bay Cultural Centre, Montego Bay

You may want to dig a bit deeper into the history of rum-making in Jamaica and you can do so at this museum centrally located in the heart of the city of Montego Bay.

You'll notice that the exhibits inside include a depiction of the island's plantation history when sugar cane was cultivated on several acres of property, especially in the western parishes of Saint James and Trelawny.

The process of rum-making starts with the fermenting of sugar cane with water and yeast. The "wash" created is then distilled to produce rum. 



Appleton Estate Rum Tour, Saint Elizabeth

Located in the Nassau Valley in Saint Elizabeth, you'll find the famous Appleton Estate distillery that welcomes guests on Tuesdays through to Saturdays from 9am to 3.30pm. 

This rum tour involves trying your hand at rum-making with supervision from the master blender, and sampling premium aged rum in the tasting room.

If you're fortunate enough, you'll get to meet the world's first female master blender and chemist, Joy Spence who started her career with Appleton Estate in 1981.  

Pier One, Montego Bay

Rum is always on the menu at this lively oceanside bar and restaurant. It's a great place to hang out for afternoon bar talk and to interact with locals.

If you're in Montego Bay on a Friday night, you might want to check in at Pier Pressure where you can expect a thrilling party scene and bucket deals all night on your favorite rums 

In addition to great tasting rums to sample, Pier One offers a fabulous seafood menu for lunch and dinner.



Rick's Cafe, Negril

Your rum adventure will most definitely take you to the western end of the island, so make a stop at Rick's Cafe.

This groovy cliffside bar and restaurant is the perfect spot to taste the various blends of Jamaican rums enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

While you're sipping on the liquid gold, witness the bravest cliff divers plunge into the clear, blue waters below the cliffs. 

Jamaica Rum Festival

Flagged as one of the best rum festivals in Jamaica, the Jamaica Rum Festival is next on your itinerary. 

The 2022 staging was held in Montego Bay and saw the patronage of local rum manufacturers, retailers, and consumers.

Learn how to make tasty cocktails with your favorite rums while grooving to the live performances of Jamaica's talented Reggae and Dancehall hitmakers. 

When you've had enough rum to drink, treat your taste buds to a gastronomic tour of Jamaica.