Demerara Distillers
Rum labels
Rum bottles
| Related links: |
El Dorado Demerara Distillers Europe, The Netherlands |
| See also: |
Demerara Distillers Europe b.v, Zaandam, Netherlands Demerara Distillers (U.K.) Ltd., United Kingdom |
History
Demerara Distillers was established in 1670 in Demerara County, Guyana and is the sole distiller of the world famous Demerara rums.
The history of D.D.L. dates back to the early 17th century when Guyana (then British Guiana) had a large number of sugar estates each with its own small distillery converting molasses, the major by-product into rum. Each sugar estate produced its own distinctive rum and each rum was given a mark e.g. SWR, AN, ICBU depending upon the sugar estate where it was produced.
These rums were shipped to England and thus began worldwide trading under the Demerara rum name, which today only can be applied to rums distilled in Guyana.
In those early days most of the distilleries were owned by the English companies Booker Bros. McConnel & Company Limited, trading as Booker Rum Company, and Sandbach Parker Holdings, trading as Diamond Liquors Limited. These two companies were amalgamated in 1976 as Guyana Liquor Corp. and in 1983, this was changed to Demerara Distillers Limited.
By 1960, technological advances and market demands brought about the amalgamation of the many small distilleries into four distilleries, which were further consolidated into D.D.L. with one distillery operation at Plantation Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara River.
The Daimond Distillery has the world's oldest working wooden Coffey [ie. continuous] still, which is reckoned to have been producing rum for over 150 years.
Subsidiaries:
The Cane Spirit Rothschild - that special drink of St. Kitts, produced from the fresh juice of the cane, along with the Belmont Estate Coconut Rum, are products of the bottling plant operated by Demerara Distillers in St. Kitts.
Demerara Distillers Europe BV manages the distribution and the bottling of the El Dorado rums for the European market, the company's largest market. Operating from Zandaam, Holland, DD Europe BV sells, and markets the El Dorado range of rums in excess of twenty countries across Europe.
DD (TT) Ltd, formerly Superior Distribution Limited, began operations in Trinidad and Tobago in 1995 as a small distribution company of Demerara Distillers. Today, the company though remaining small, has been able to penetrate the Trinidadian market; the domestic as well as the growing duty free market.
Headquartered in Peru, DDLA bottles the El Dorado range of rums for the South and Central American markets. Today, the company distributes these rums in 11 of the countries in these continents, and continues its aggressive marketing and distribution drive to increase the number of countries in which El Dorado can be had.
Operating from offices in Miami, Florida, DDUS appoints distributors of the El Dorado rums throughout the 50 states of the United States of America. Opening its doors just recently, the El Dorado rums have been successfully introduced in seven states. The company has as its mandate for its first couple of years of existence, to introduce the rums to the states that have the largest Diaspora of Guyanese. Having successfully achieved this mandate, DDUS now sets its sight on wider scale distribution.
Demerara Shipping was born out of a need to ensure our customers of a prompt and reliable delivery service. Since the company's inception, DSCL has continuously improved and upgraded its services and has risen to the ever-changing demands and dynamics of international trade.
Distribution Services Limited opened its doors in 1992 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Demerara Distillers Limited. Ten years later, the distribution arm of the company; DSL is a force to be reckoned with in the market place. It is regarded as the leading distribution company in Guyana.
Since 1983, TOPCO has been providing natural, flavourful fruit juices for Guyanese. In 1993, TOPCO joined the Demerara Distillers group of companies as a wholly owned subsidiary.
Solutions 2000 introduced its service in February of 1997, becoming the first commercially operated Internet Service Provider (ISP) to launch its service in Guyana.
On the subject of divestment, I would like to share with you my experience with the recent divestment of a wholly-owned Govern-ment company of which I have been chairman for a number of years, I don't know how many of you saw the report that came out in the press some time in August. Excerpts of that release make interesting reading:
The Government of Jamaica is pleased to announce the restructuring of the State-Owned National Rums of Jamaica Ltd., (NRJ) the holding company of Clarendon Distillers Ltd., Long Pond Distillers Ltd. and Innswood Distillery Ltd. (collectively the NRJ Group).
Under agreements signed with Demerara Distillers Ltd. of Guyana, The West Indies Rum Distillery Ltd. (a subsidiary of Goddard Enterprises Ltd. of Barbados) and DIAGEO North America Inc. (a subsidiary of Diageo PLC the World's largest Spirit Company), the three investors will bring new equity investments totaling U.S.$5.368 million to the NRJ Group.
With the injection of this new capital, Demerara Distillers Ltd., The West Indies Rum Distillery Ltd. and the State-Owned National Sugar Company Ltd. will each own 33.3 per cent of the shares in NRJ.
NRJ will hold 73 per cent of the shares in Clarendon Distillers Ltd. at Monymusk with 27 per cent held by Diageo North America Inc., through its subsidiary Trelawny Estates Ltd. Long Pond Distillers Ltd. and Inswood Distillery Ltd. will continue to be wholly-owned subsidiaries of NRJ.
This new investment capital along with funding from the European Union's Integrated Development Programme for the Caribbean rum sector will be utilised to finance a major modernisation and expansion programme of the NRJ Group. NRJ, which is a leading supplier of Jamaican bulk rum, is also looking to develop a brand portfolio in order to facilitate its entry into the value-added market.
The board of directors of NRJ will be restructured to include representatives of the new investors and we wish to record our thanks to the long standing outgoing chairman Mr. Howard Hamilton who has kindly consented to remain on the board. Mr. Evon Brown will also continue as group CEO and a director of NRJ and its subsidiaries.
Howard L. Hamilton, C.D., J.P., is a former chairman of Caymanas Track Limited. He is the current president of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders' Association.
Uitvlught
Originally a Dutch estate located on the Atlantic coast, west of the Demerara river. This rum was distilled using the famous Port Morant still, the last remaining Demerara Vat Still - that produces heavier rum that suited the additional Hermitage cask evolution.
The Port Morant Estate in Guyana was established in 1732 and was one of the earliest to produce the unique Demerara style of rum for which the country became so famous. The Demerara Vat Stills used at the estate were moved to Georgetown as part of the reorganization of the industry some years ago. These very large pot stills, which are quite unique, are still producing their special style of heavy rum, much sought after for blending in the traditional style.
The Versailles estate lay to the east of the Demerara River, which enters the Atlantic at Georgetown, capital of Guyana.
The area has been famous for centuries for the quality of its sugar cane and molasses, from which the Demerara rums draw their richness. Like so many estates and distilleries, it no longer exists, although the still bearing the Versailles name has been moved several times. It now rests at Diamond Distillery in Georgetown.
Versailles, although never as successful as Port Morant in establishing is own identity, does possess a unique style. This is because two different stills, with different capacities, are set up on either side of the condenser (rather than in sequence) and they feed it alternately. This yields a lighter distillate, lower in ester content. It should be noted that although pot stills have been used in the production of this rum, it has only been distilled once, although it has been fed by two different stills. Those familiar with Cognac and Pays d’Auge Calvados tend to see all pot still products as the result of double distillation. The idiosyncrasies of the Caribbean production break all conventions and result in wide and delightful variations of style and taste.
Versailles is the single wooden pot still rescued from a lost distillery of the same name. The still is now in operation at Diamond, transferred there from Enmore via Uitvlugt after the closure of those distilleries in 1993 and then 2000, respectively.
Pictures gallery
Here are full texts from the labels
gy6: El Dorado Demerara Rum; Demerara Distillers Limited, Demerara, Guyana; Product of Guyana; Contents 750 ml., Alc/vol 40%
gy1: 750 ml., 40% Alc. by Vol. (80 Proof); Demerara Rum; Bonded Reserve; Product of Guyana; Demerara Distillers Ltd., Demerara, Guyana; Imported by J & J Import-Distributors West Warwick, R.I. 02893
gy16: 43% alc/vol; 75°; Albion Reserve; 759 ml; Demerara Rum; Blended and Bottled by Demerara Distilleries Limited, Georgetown, Demerara, Guyana
gy3: Superior white rum El Dorado; Blended and bottled by Demerara Distillers Ltd; 43% vol.; 75 cl.; 5014396001027
gy13: Dark Demerara Rum; Bruine rum; Brauner rum; El Dorado; Demerara Distillers (UK) Ltd; product of Guyana; 37.5% vol.; 1 litre
gy21: El Dorado; Superior White Rum; 40%; 750 ml.; Demerara Distillers Ltd. Product of Guyana; 5014396001201
gy20: El Dorado; Demerara Golden Rum; 40%; 75 cl; Demerara Distillers Ltd.; Product of Guyana; 5014396001089
gy19: El Dorado - Demerara Dark Rum; 40%; 75 cl.; Demerara Distillers Ltd.; Product of Guyana
gy4: El Dorado - the Golden Rum; Demerara Distillers Ltd.; Sole Agents in St. Vincent, Hazell' Ltd.; 750 ml.; 43% vol.
gy31: El Dorado; Demerara White Rum; Demerara Distillers Ltd, Guyana; Produced and bottled by Demerara Distillers Ltd., Guyana; 40% alc vol (80 Proof); 750 ml
gy33: El Dorado; Demerara Dark Rum; Demerara Distillers Ltd, Guyana; Produced and bottled by Demerara Distillers Ltd., Guyana; 40% alc vol (80 Proof); 750 ml
gy32: El Dorado; Demerara Gold Rum; Demerara Distillers Ltd, Guyana; Produced and bottled by Demerara Distillers Ltd., Guyana; Distillers and Rum Merchants since 1670; 40% alc vol; 750 ml
gy12: El Dorado; Superior Demerara Rum; 40% alc; 70 cl; Demerara Distillers Ltd, Guyana; Agged 12 Years; Product of Guyana
gy18: El Dorado; Product of Guyana; Produit de la Guyane; Five Years Old Demerara Rum - Rhum; Age de Ciq Ans; 40% alc/vol; Demerara Distillers Limited, Georgetown, Guyana; 750 ml; 5014396002222
gy46: El Dorado; Finest Demerara Rum; Produced and bottled by Guyana Demerara Distillers Ltd., Guyana; 40% vol; e 70 cl; 12 years; 5014396111696
gy54: Finest Demerara Rum; El Dorado; 12 year old; Ron - rum - rhum; Producto de Guyana; Produit de la Guyane; Product of Guyana; Demerara Distillers Ltd., Guyana; 40%; 70 cl e; El Dorado Demerara Rum; 12 Years Old; 8715151120799
gy_64: Limited Edition; El Dorado; Édition Limitée; 12 Years Old Finest Demerara Ron - Rum - Rhum; Vieilli Pendant 12 Ans; Further Aged in Madeira Dry Casks; Product of Guyana; Producto de Guyana; Produit de la Guyane; Net Content 750 ml; 43% alc/vol
gy_65: Limited Edition; El Dorado; Édition Limitée; 12 Years Old Finest Demerara Ron - Rum - Rhum; Vieilli Pendant 12 Ans; Further Aged in Madeira Sweet Casks; Product of Guyana; Producto de Guyana; Produit de la Guyane; Net Content 750 ml; 43% alc/vol
gy_66: Limited Edition; El Dorado; Édition Limitée; 12 Years Old Finest Demerara Ron - Rum - Rhum; Vieilli Pendant 12 Ans; Further Aged in Red Wine Casks; Product of Guyana; Producto de Guyana; Produit de la Guyane; Net Content 750 ml; 43% alc/vol
gy_67: Limited Edition; El Dorado; Édition Limitée; 12 Years Old Finest Demerara Ron - Rum - Rhum; Vieilli Pendant 12 Ans; Further Aged in Ruby Port Casks; Product of Guyana; Producto de Guyana; Produit de la Guyane; Net Content 750 ml; 43% alc/vol
gy_68: Limited Edition; El Dorado; Édition Limitée; 12 Years Old Finest Demerara Ron - Rum - Rhum; Vieilli Pendant 12 Ans; Further Aged in Sauternes Casks; Product of Guyana; Producto de Guyana; Produit de la Guyane; Net Content 750 ml; 43% alc/vol
gy_69: Limited Edition; El Dorado; Édition Limitée; 12 Years Old Finest Demerara Ron - Rum - Rhum; Vieilli Pendant 12 Ans; Further Aged in White Port Casks; Product of Guyana; Producto de Guyana; Produit de la Guyane; Net Content 750 ml; 43% alc/vol
gy11: El Dorado Finest Demerara Rum; Demerara Distillers Ltd., Guyana; Product of Guana; 43%; 70 cl; El Dorado; Special Reserve; 15 Years Old; 5014396002031
gy_70: Limited Edition; El Dorado; Édition Limitée; 15 Years Old Finest Demerara Ron - Rum - Rhum; Vieilli Pendant 15 Ans; Further Aged in Madeira Dry Casks; Product of Guyana; Producto de Guyana; Produit de la Guyane; Net Content 750 ml; 43% alc/vol
gy_71: Limited Edition; El Dorado; Édition Limitée; 15 Years Old Finest Demerara Ron - Rum - Rhum; Vieilli Pendant 15 Ans; Further Aged in Madeira Sweet Casks; Product of Guyana; Producto de Guyana; Produit de la Guyane; Net Content 750 ml; 43% alc/vol
gy_72: Limited Edition; El Dorado; Édition Limitée; 15 Years Old Finest Demerara Ron - Rum - Rhum; Vieilli Pendant 15 Ans; Further Aged in Red Wine Casks; Product of Guyana; Producto de Guyana; Produit de la Guyane; Net Content 750 ml; 43% alc/vol
gy_73: Limited Edition; El Dorado; Édition Limitée; 15 Years Old Finest Demerara Ron - Rum - Rhum; Vieilli Pendant 15 Ans; Further Aged in Ruby Port Casks; Product of Guyana; Producto de Guyana; Produit de la Guyane; Net Content 750 ml; 43% alc/vol
gy_74: Limited Edition; El Dorado; Édition Limitée; 15 Years Old Finest Demerara Ron - Rum - Rhum; Vieilli Pendant 15 Ans; Further Aged in Sauternes Casks; Product of Guyana; Producto de Guyana; Produit de la Guyane; Net Content 750 ml; 43% alc/vol
gy_75: Limited Edition; El Dorado; Édition Limitée; 15 Years Old Finest Demerara Ron - Rum - Rhum; Vieilli Pendant 15 Ans; Further Aged in White Port Casks; Product of Guyana; Producto de Guyana; Produit de la Guyane; Net Content 750 ml; 43% alc/vol
gy_40: El Dorado 21 Years Old Rum; Ron; Rum; Rhum; Vieilli Pendant 21 ans; Demerara Distillers Limited, Guyana; Producto de Guiana; Product of Guyana; Produit de Guyana; 8715151210780
gy_24: Special Reserve El Dorado 21 Year
gy_5: Special reserve 25 years old; 43%; 5014396212034?
gy_41: El Dorado Grand Special Reserve; Aged 25 years; Ron-Rum-Rhum; Vieilli Pendant 25 ans; 70 cl; 43% alc/vol; 8715151250731
gy_61: El Dorado; Grand Special Reserve; Ron; Rum; Rhum; Celebrating Guyana's Independence; 50 Years; 1966 - 2016; 750 ml; 43 alc/vol; 8715151507514
gy_62: El Dorado; Special Anniversary Edition; Finest Demerara; Ron - Rum - Rhum; In honour of Dr. Dr. Yesu Persaud, for his 90th Birth Anniversary; Handcrafted 2018 in Guyana; Bottle No 2/90; 700 ml; 40% alc/vol; Demerara Distillers Limited, Guyana; Producto de Guyana; Product of Guyana; Produit de Guyane
gy_63: El Dorado; MB; Master Blender's Special Edition; 2017; Demerara Rum; A unique blend of rums from our three Heritage Stills; Year of Distillation 2007; Net Content 750 ml; 43% alc/vol; Demerara Distillers Ltd; Product of Guyana
gy_19: El Dorado; Estate Aged 3 Years; Demerara Rum
gy_18: El Dorado; Estate Aged 5 Years; Demerara Rum; 8715151050782?
gy_55: El Dorado; Aged 3 Years; Demerara; Ron - Rum - Rhum; Vieilli Pendant 3 ans; Cask Aged; Charcoal Filtered; Filtré au charbon de bois; Demerara Distillers Ltd, Guyana; Producto de Guyana; Product of Guyana; Produit de Guyane; 750 ml; 40% alc/vol
gy_56: El Dorado; Aged 5 Years; Demerara; Ron - Rum - Rhum; Vieilli Pendant 5 ans; Cask Aged; Charcoal Filtered; Filtré au charbon de bois; Demerara Distillers Ltd, Guyana; Producto de Guyana; Product of Guyana; Produit de Guyane; 750 ml; 40% alc/vol
gy_57: El Dorado; Aged 8 Years; Demerara; Ron - Rum - Rhum; Vieilli Pendant 8 ans; Cask Aged; Demerara Distillers Ltd, Guyana; Producto de Guyana; Product of Guyana; Produit de Guyane; 750 ml; 40% alc/vol
gy36: El Dorado 5 Star Rum; Demerara Distillers Limited, Demerara, Guyana; Product of Guyana; 40% alc vol; 750 ml
gy37: El Dorado 5 Star Demerara Rum; Product of Guyana; Produced by: Demerara Distillers Limited, Demerara, Guyana; 750 ml; 40% alc vol
gy_25: Port Royal; 92 proof; Selected and bottled for Sarzi Amadé , Milano, Italy
gy8: Contents 750 ml; Alc/vol 69%; Trade mark 1833; Superior High Wine; Demerara Distillers Ltd.; Demerara Guyana; Product of Guyana
gy39: Contents 750 ml; Alc/vol 75.5%; 151 Proof; El Dorado Superior High Strength Rum; Product of Guyana; Imported by Demerara Distillers (USA) Inc.Maiami, FL 33126
gy40: El Dorado Demerara Spice Rum; Traditionally Superb; All Natural Spices, Distinctively Mellow, Genuine Caribbean Flavour; Demerara Distillers Ltd.; Product of Guyana; 40% alc/vol;750 ml; 5014396000112
gy25: Original Demerara Rhum; Corunas; Demerara Distillers Limited; Diamond East Bank, Demerara, Guyana; Producers of the finest quality products for over 300 years; 70 cl e; 40% vol; Importado da Distillerie Camel S.p.A. - povoletto Ud - ItalyCodice Accisa UDA 000 12N; Non disperdere il vetro nell ambiente; 5014396111696
gy26: The Special Cask Demerara Rhum; 15 years old; Distilled at Demerara Distillery, Georgetown (Guyana) In February 1983 Cask no 423; Bottled in April '99; Riserva di Livia e Alfonso Iaccarino; 70 cl; 43% vol
gy42: Demerara White Rum; Full Strength Overproof; Net Contents 750 ml; 63% alc/vol, Full Strength 110% Product of Guyana; Bottled by Demerara Distillers Ltd., Plantation Diamond, East Bank Demerara, Guyana; Distributed by Wisynco Trading Ltd., Twickenham Park, Spanish Town, Jamaica, W.I.
gy43: D'Andrade's Estate; Ron Blanco - White Rum; 1 Litre; 40% alc/vol; Produced by Demerara Distillers Ltd, Diamond East Bank Demerara, Guyana; Producers of the Finest Quality Products for over 300 years
gy45: D'Andrade's Estate; Ron Moreno - Dark Rum; 750 ml; 40% alc/vol; Produced by Demerara Distillers Ltd, Diamond East Bank Demerara, Guyana; Producers of the Finest Quality Products for over 300 years
gy44: D'Andrade's Estate; Ron Dorado - Golden Rum; 750 ml; 40% alc/vol; Produced by Demerara Distillers Ltd, Diamond East Bank Demerara, Guyana; Producers of the Finest Quality Products for over 300 years
gy30: Rainforest Superior Gold Rum Reserve; 43% alc/vol; Demerara Distillers Ltd; Product of Guyana; 1 L
gy29: Rainforest Overproof White Rum Reserve; 75% alc/vol; Demerara Distillers Ltd; Product of Guyana; 1 L
gy_32: Port Mourant 1993; Full Proof; Old Demerara Rum; 65% vol
gy_29: Port Mourant 1972; Full Proof; Old Demerara Rum; 47.8% vol
gy_30: Port Mourant 1974; Full Proof; Old Demerara Rum; 54.5% vol
gy_31: Port Mourant 1974; Full Proof; Old Demerara Rum; 56.7% vol
gy_26: Port Mourant; 1974; Full Proof; Old Demerara Rum
gy_38: Albion 1983 Full Proof Old Demerara Rum; Distilled 1983, bottled 2008
gy_28: Albion 1989; Full Proof; Old Demerara Rum; 65% vol
gy_7: Enmore 1998, Full Proof Old Demerara Rum; 64,9%; Demerara Distillers Ltd, Guyana
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