Glasses clinking at sunset on Grand Cul-de-Sac beach. A tasting table lined with rare bottles from Martinique, Guadeloupe, Barbados and beyond. The warm night air, the rhythm of conversation, and the unmistakable aroma of aged Caribbean rum.
Every November, St. Barth transforms into the Caribbean’s most glamorous rum capital. The island’s annual Caribbean Rum Awards St. Barth is more than a festival — it’s an island-wide celebration, a week when distillers, bartenders, collectors and curious travelers come together for tastings, pairings, beach parties and culinary experiences. It’s rum week in paradise, and it’s unforgettable, this year from Nov. 10-16.
A Global Gathering
The Caribbean Rum Awards has grown into one of the world’s most respected cane-spirit competitions. Rare agricoles from Martinique and Guadeloupe, smooth blends from Jamaica, bold new bottlings from Barbados — they all converge in St. Barth for blind tastings led by an international panel of judges. For rum lovers, it’s a chance to sip labels you may never find again, and for the island, it’s a chance to showcase its role at the center of global rum culture.
Rum and Gastronomy
This isn’t just about spirits — it’s about pairing rum with St. Barth’s renowned culinary scene. Throughout the week, the island’s restaurants host special dinners and tastings: rum-infused menus, cigar pairings, and chef collaborations that turn every evening into an event. One night might mean sipping agricole with Creole flavors, the next savoring aged rum alongside French haute cuisine. The setting — chic dining rooms, breezy beach clubs — makes it all feel both elevated and effortlessly Caribbean.
Parties, Beaches and Bars
By day, guests move between seminars, mixology sessions, and beachfront tastings. By night, the energy shifts: villa celebrations that stretch late into the night. The island becomes one continuous lounge, from the harbor to the sand, where travelers and locals mingle over bottles both legendary and new.
Why It Matters
Rum is part of the Caribbean’s soul, and St. Barth has created a week that honors tradition while embracing innovation. It’s not only about celebrating the region’s most famous export but also about sharing the stories behind it — the distillers, the heritage, and the craft. For visitors, it’s a reason to experience the island in a new way: glamorous, flavorful, and connected to the wider Caribbean.
How to Experience It
The Caribbean Rum Awards are held each November, drawing rum enthusiasts and travelers from across the globe. Pair your visit with a stay at one of the island’s legendary hotels, book a table at a beachside dinner, and save space in your luggage — because you’ll leave with bottles and memories you can’t find anywhere else.
Looking for tickets? Here’s more info.
How to Get There
The best way to arrive in St. Barth is with Tradewind Aviation, which has become the signature gateway to the island. Flying aboard a sleek Pilatus PC-12, you’ll skip crowded terminals and connect seamlessly from hubs like San Juan or Antigua. The experience feels private from the start: comfortable, pressurized cabins, complimentary snacks and drinks, and personalized service that makes the short hop into St. Barth feel like the beginning of your vacation, not the end of your journey.
Landing at the island’s iconic Rémy de Haenen Airport is a thrill in itself, with views over turquoise bays and green hillsides before the aircraft touches down on the runway just steps from St. Jean Beach. In less than an hour from San Juan, you’ve gone from the bustle of a major airport to the heart of St. Barth — ready to check into your villa or beachfront hotel with zero stress.
Where to Stay
St. Barth has a mix of boutique charm, five-star indulgence, and villa living, and the choices are as distinctive as the island itself. For a low-key, intimate stay, Les Ilets de la Plage is a gem — a collection of oceanfront and garden villas that feel private and relaxed, with the added comfort of warm, personal service. If you want the full resort experience, Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth offers a tropical peninsula retreat, with elegant cottages, two beaches, and one of the island’s top spas.
Along the lagoon and the beach at Grand Cul de Sac, Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa combines stylish rooms and villas with infinity pools, fine dining, and the kind of breezy glamour that defines the island. And for travelers seeking complete privacy or space for a larger group, Wimco St Barth Properties manages some of the most stunning properties on St. Bart’s, pairing independence with concierge service that can arrange everything from in-villa chefs to exclusive island experiences.
Karen Udler
2025-09-14 00:34:00