English Harbour, heading to Antigua

3 August 2025 | Interviews & Meetings
English Harbour, heading to Antigua
Interview with Jonathan Almonte Félix, ambassador for English Harbour rums

What is the origin of English Harbour Rum?

The history of Antigua Distillery goes back more than 350 years, in parallel with the Royal Navy and English Harbour, the starting point for the best rums to the continent. It all began with emigrants from the island of Madeira who established the first shops selling rum before founding this iconic distillery. Since then, English Harbour Rum has forged a global reputation for its elegance and balance.

What values is the distillery based on?

Our fundamental values are simple and unwavering: to protect and enhance the authenticity of Caribbean rum. We are above all distillers and blenders, faithful to the artisanal methods that have made our reputation. No marketing artifice, no speculation: we make rum, and we make it well.

How does the distillation of your rum take place?

Our terroir plays an essential role in defining our identity. The both dry and humid climate of Antigua, combined with the salinity of the sea, directly influences our fermentation and aging processes. Thanks to open fermentations lasting four days and the island’s characteristic heat, our rums develop a unique complexity, enriched with a subtle iodized touch.

What is the influence of the terroir on your production?

Our distillation relies on one of the most unique hybrid stills in the world: a combination of John Dore (England) and Savalle (France). This rare technology allows us to obtain a rum that is both refined and expressive.

Moreover, we remain faithful to our craft by selecting high-quality raw materials, at fair prices, and with absolute respect for distillation traditions. Our four-day open fermentation encourages the impact of wild yeasts, adding depth and aromatic complexity. We also love to experiment: extra-long fermentation of more than two weeks for our heavy rums, Savalle column distillation at 73.6°, special aging in Cognac, Armagnac, Calvados, Tokaji, Sauternes casks… Not to mention our finishes in Port, Sherry, and Madeira. Innovation is at the heart of our craft, but always with respect and balance.

Can you tell us more about the aging of your rums?

We mainly use Bourbon casks for our core range, as they perfectly suit our vision of aging. For our special editions, we explore other types of casks to enrich our rums with new aromatic dimensions.

Our cellar master selects and blends our cuvées with passion and experience. It’s all a matter of instinct, taste, and respect for the consumer. Experimentation is part of our DNA, and each blend is crafted to offer a memorable experience.

As for new releases, our 90th Anniversary is probably our finest cuvée to date. Other treasures are in preparation, including a 16-year edition and new unique expressions to come.

How do you position yourselves in the market?

English Harbour is an artisanal and accessible rum that gives full prominence to the excellence of the product in the bottle. We believe in a more sincere market, where a good rum should not exceed €50 – except for truly exceptional editions. The greatest challenge in today’s market is the general public’s lack of knowledge and the absence of commitment from major brands to educate and elevate the category. Too often, money takes precedence over passion, and rum deserves better than that.

Les foudres d'Antigua Distillery
Les foudres d'Antigua Distillery
Colonne de distillation d'Antigua Distillery
Colonne de distillation d'Antigua Distillery
Chais d'Antigua Distillery
Chais d'Antigua Distillery
What are your commitments regarding the environment?

We are actively working on initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint and optimise energy use. The goal is to improve the environmental impact of our distillery while ensuring the sustainability of our artisanal methods.

We also strive to promote a more environmentally respectful sugarcane culture by supporting sustainable and responsible practices.

How would you describe the flavour profile of English Harbour rums?

Our style is resolutely English: dry, elegant, distilled with finesse and balance. Each cuvée has its own character:

EH 5 Years: versatile, ideal neat or in cocktails.

EH 10 Years: a tasting rum with notes of smoked cedar and dried fruits. Sherry Finish: perfect for whisky lovers.

Port Finish: superb with dark chocolate.

Madeira Finish: will delight Negroni and bitters enthusiasts.

Cœur de Savalle: an unforgettable experience for connoisseurs.

90th Anniversary: an exceptional cuvée for refined palates.

The best advice for an optimal tasting is to be in good company.

Could you lift the veil on English Harbour’s upcoming releases?

Upcoming releases include the 90th Anniversary and a forthcoming 16-year edition. We also have collaborations with Haromex in Germany, where we are working on rums with a high concentration of congeners. However, we remain firm: no bulk sales. We protect our rum and its identity.

What is your vision for the future of rum and of your brand?

Our vision for the future? To remain true to ourselves. Today, only two rum brands dominate the global market: Bacardi and Zacapa. Unfortunately, we have lost the opportunity to establish rum as a global and serious spirit. The industry's self-denigration, combined with excessive sugar additions, has weakened the category in the face of competitors like whisky and tequila, which have succeeded in asserting their value.

But at English Harbour, we will continue to produce an authentic rum, without compromise. Because rum deserves to be respected.

Antigua Distillery
Antigua Distillery
Measuring instruments of Antigua Distillery
Measuring instruments of Antigua Distillery
English Harbour, Heart of Savalle in Paris
English Harbour, Heart of Savalle in Paris

To continue reading, I invite you to…

Discover all of English Harbour’s rums

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Excellence Rhum