A Guide to Rum in the Cayman Islands: What Visitors Should Know

Rum has a long association with the Caribbean, but in Grand Cayman, the story has some particularly local twists. From the name Rum Point itself to Cayman-made spirits, rum cake, and cocktails served across our island, the spirit is woven into the visitor experience in numerous different ways.

You can even explore the connection without drinking rum at all. Rum Point Club is the birthplace of the famous Mudslide, one of Grand Cayman’s best-known cocktails, yet there is no rum in the original recipe.

If you want to understand the story behind Cayman Islands rum, here is what to know before you visit.

What is the Connection Between Rum and the Cayman Islands?

Rum has a natural, much-loved place in Caribbean food and drink culture, and Grand Cayman is no exception. Visitors will find rum served neat, mixed into cocktails, and used in products such as our famous rum cakes.

There’s also a distinctly Caymanian side to this story. Grand Cayman is home to locally produced spirits, including Seven Fathoms Rum and Governor’s Reserve, while rum features prominently in our island’s cocktail culture.

For visitors, that makes rum an easy way to explore a little more of the Cayman character, whether you are visiting a distillery, ordering a cocktail, or simply relaxing by the water.

Why is Rum Point Called Rum Point?

The name Rum Point has a fitting story behind it. According to legend, on a stormy Caribbean night, a ship carrying a cargo of rum barrels ran aground just off Grand Cayman’s northern coast. Come the morning, locals awoke to find barrels of rum had washed ashore. From that moment on, the area became known as Rum Point.

Today, Rum Point is one of the best-known destinations on Grand Cayman’s North Side, with its shallow, crystal-clear waters, white sand, and relaxed island atmosphere. And this beautiful spot is the place we call home. Our waterfront property, including the aptly named Rum Deck, sits in these idyllic surroundings, overlooking the stunning azure water of the North Sound.

What is Seven Fathoms Rum?

One of the most distinctive examples of Cayman rum is Seven Fathoms, produced by Cayman Spirits Company. Its name refers to the unusual ageing process, one it shares with rum’s golden age, when rolling ocean waves added depth and richness to the spirits in the casks. After being distilled, the rum is placed in bourbon casks and submerged and anchored seven fathoms, or 42 feet, beneath the surface of the Caribbean Sea.

This underwater environment provides consistent temperatures and gentle currents as the rum ages. The result is a locally made spirit with a production story (and taste) that is difficult to replicate elsewhere.

What is Governor’s Reserve Rum?

Cayman Spirits Company also produces Governor’s Reserve, another name worth knowing if you are interested in rum in the Cayman Islands.

This is a range of different rums rather than a single product, with varieties including dark, spiced, gold, and white rums. There are also flavoured options inspired by native Cayman cuisine, like coconut and banana.

Together, Seven Fathoms and Governor’s Reserve provide a great introduction to the Cayman Spirits Company and our island’s modern distilling industry.

Can You Visit the Cayman Spirits Company Distillery?

Yes! The Cayman Spirits Company distillery gives visitors the opportunity to see how its spirits are produced and learn more about the story behind them.

On their immersive distillery tours, a guide will show you around the custom-built, 5,000-square-foot facility, which houses a 1,200-gallon Vendome copper pot still, a towering 30-foot Bobo’s Vodka column still, and the original Christian Carl pot still used to perfect their award-winning Seven Fathoms Rum.

And the good news is that the tour concludes in the tasting room! Here, guests can sample fresh batches of Seven Fathoms Rum, Governor’s Reserve Rum, Bobo’s Vodka, and exclusive Distiller’s Specials, the last of which are small-batch creations only available at the distillery.

The tour lasts for 45 to 60 minutes, and advance booking is highly recommended, especially during peak season.

If you are interested in the production side of Cayman rum, this is a particularly fascinating addition to an island itinerary. Check the distillery’s current tour information before visiting, as details can change.

What is Tortuga Rum Cake?

Rum in the Cayman Islands is not limited to what you find behind a bar. Tortuga Rum Company was founded in 1984 by Captain Robert Hamaty and his wife Carlene. In 1987, the company introduced its Tortuga Caribbean Rum Cake, based on Carlene’s family recipe. The cake became the Caribbean’s first commercially produced rum cake.

For visitors, rum cake has become one of the most recognisable edible souvenirs associated with the Cayman Islands. It is another example of how rum has found its way into Cayman’s food culture as well as its drinks. Find out more about this side of island life in our guide to the most popular cuisines in Grand Cayman.

What Are Some Classic Cayman Islands Cocktails?

Rum is particularly well suited to cocktails, and you will find plenty of examples across Grand Cayman.

The Cayman Spirits Company features locally made rums in cocktails including the Cayman Cure, which features Seven Fathoms Rum, pineapple juice, key lime juice, and cream of coconut (Coco Lopez). And you can find both classic Caribbean combinations and locally inspired creations throughout the wider Cayman Islands cocktail scene.

At Rum Point Club, our carefully crafted drinks menu includes several rum-based cocktails, including the Rum Slide, Smuggler’s Rum, Colada Colada, and Anchors Deep, made with Seven Fathoms Rum.

Even if you don’t have time to commit to a distillery tour, you will find plenty of opportunities to explore the incredible world of Cayman rum.

What About the Famous Mudslide at Rum Point?

There is an important detail to know about Rum Point Club’s most famous cocktail: there is no rum in the original Mudslide!

The Original Mudslide on Rum Point Club’s current drinks menu is made with vodka, Irish cream liqueur, coffee liqueur, and cinnamon powder, blended frozen. The drink was created at Rum Point in the 1980s and has become part of our history.

You can find the full story in our blog The Mudslide: The Cocktail Born at Rum Point Club.

If you want a rum-based take on the classic, check out our Rum Slide. It combines dark rum, Irish cream liqueur, and coffee liqueur with a secret mix, giving the famous Rum Point drink a distinctly rummy twist.

Where Can You Try Rum in Grand Cayman?

What better place to explore our island’s rum scene than right here at Rum Point Club! The Rum Deck is the more relaxed option, with a covered open-air bar, all-day dining, and a wide drinks selection. You’ll find plenty of rum-based cocktails to enjoy!

For a more refined dining experience, Solis Restaurant offers its own setting within Rum Point Club, with cocktails available alongside the lunch menu and dinner menu.

The wider Rum Point experience also makes it easy to combine food and drinks with time by the water. Rum Point Club’s two venues sit in a beachfront setting on Grand Cayman’s North Side, giving visitors plenty of reason to linger.

Visit Rum Point Club and Taste the Cayman Spirit

The connection between rum and Grand Cayman stretches from the story behind Rum Point’s name to locally produced spirits, rum cake, and the cocktails visitors enjoy today. It’s a story that is best experienced rather than simply read about.

At Rum Point Club, you can make your own connection with our island’s drinks culture. Settle in at The Rum Deck for a Rum Slide or another cocktail, or make an evening of it at Solis Restaurant.

And, of course, there is always the Original Mudslide. It may not contain rum, but no trip to Rum Point would be complete without trying the cocktail that helped put this corner of Grand Cayman on the map.

If you have any restaurant-specific questions, please feel free to contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rum in Grand Cayman