Discover the Art of Bahamian Rum Making: Inside the John Watling’s Many Rum Experiences ( Video Highlight - UPDATED)

VIDEO HIGHLIGHT

At John Watling’s Distillery, visitors can take part in a 45-minute Rum Tasting Class that brings together history, craftsmanship, and the simple joy of good rum.

The class is small, capped at twenty participants, and offered daily at 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. For $80 plus VAT, guests sample six of the distillery’s rums, each with its own story and flavor. It begins with a taste straight from the barrel and ends with their award-winning 10-year aged rum. Along the way, the guide explains how rum is made, what affects its flavor, and how to taste it properly.

The process is slow and thoughtful. A drop of water might open up one rum’s aroma. Another, the prized aged rum, is gently warmed for a minute to bring out deeper notes. Between sips, small servings of nuts help clear the palate, and the experience closes with a Graycliff dark chocolate. It’s a sweet and satisfying finish.

The guides, called ambassadors, share more than tasting notes. They tell the story of John Watling’s and the long tradition of rum in The Bahamas. The estate itself adds to the setting, with its coral stone walls. It feels like stepping into a piece of Nassau’s living history.

Guests leave not just with a certificate, but with a new way of tasting and understanding rum. It’s an experience that connects flavor, place, and time. Whether you’re visiting Nassau for the first time or live here year-round, the Rum Tasting Class at John Watling’s Distillery offers a calm, hands-on look at one of The Bahamas’ proudest crafts.

At its heart, it’s about more than the drink. It’s about slowing down, learning something new, and savoring the spirit that has shaped the islands for centuries.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHT 2

If you're a rum lover or someone looking for a fun activity to do in Nassau, you should check out the other activities at the Buena Vista Estate.

In addition to a daily complimentary tour of the John Watling's Distillery, the property also offers Rum Tasting & Mixology Classes as well as custom rum bottling and a bar.

The classes also incorporate many other Bahamian brands into these experiences, like Bahamas Botanicals, Graycliff Chocolates and Ricardo Rum... just to name a few. They also get bonus points for using freshly pressed orange juice and hand picked mint for the cocktail classes.

The estate is also home to Louis and Steens and Vell Monkey Foot.