John Watling’s Distillery

A visit to John Watling’s Distillery offers both a tour of a historic estate in downtown Nassau and the opportunity to sample locally made John Watling’s rum. The distillery, the only locally owned one on the island, is housed in the Buena Vista Estate, which began construction in 1789. The estate grounds encompass tropical gardens and a 200-year-old water well. Visitors can also take a free tour of the museum and distillery, where you can see the aged white oak barrels filled with rum. Finish the tour with a cocktail from the on-site Red Turtle Tavern, or pick a bottle of John Watling’s rum from the store.

There’s no reason to deny it; you’ve come running for the rum. Bahamian rum is a potent tropical elixir, and there are plenty of blends for you to sample while you skip from island to island. A tour of the John Watling’s Distillery in Nassau is as much about the views as it is about the booze, with the facility housed in the beautiful Buena Vista Estate overlooking the harbor. The Graycliff Cigar and Rum Tour will have you rolling in no time, while the historic Graycliff Hotel is itself worth a wander (don’t forget to visit the chocolatier). You can arrange a number of private rum and wine tours from Nassau, though the most authentic experiences involve you getting your hands dirty.

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