| Location Map: | USA VI Saint Croix#US Virgin Islands |
| Address: | 3A, Frederiksted St Croix 00840, USVI |
Cruzan Rum is a rum producer in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands and owned by Jim Beam. ALL rum is hand made in St. Croix USVI and then shipped to Jim Beam for flavoring. Founded in 1760, it claims the distinction of being "the most honored rum distillery in the world." For eight generations, and through various changes in corporate ownership, it has been managed by the Nelthropp family. [1]
The distillery is also the largest supplier of American private and distributor label rum. Cruzan Rum also makes a pure cane distillate alcohol (in 189-proof), which can be found for sale in the medicine sections of many grocery stores in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Cruzan is one of two rum distilleries which, due to their place in American history, are part of the American Whiskey Trail.
Cruzan rum is made similar to a traditional Cuban style that produces an exceptionally clean, and lighter bodied rum. Although Cruzan rums generally have had mixed success at international spirit ratings competitions, the single-barrel has performed extremely well. Cruzan's most notable showing was from 2009 raters at the Beverage Testing Institute who gave it a 96 (out of 100). Proof66 rates the single-barrel amongst the Top 20 rums in the world.[2]
The Cruzan Rum Distillery (formerly known as Estate Diamond)[3] has been in operation for more than 250 years. Tours of the distillery and its historic grounds including original sugar mill run 6 days a week in Frederiksted.
Cruzan Single Barrel: a blend of rums aged 5-12 years then rebarreled in new oak barrels for additional aging.[4] The winner of double gold medals and the title "World's Best Rum" at the 2000, and 2010 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, as well as numerous other gold medals at various spirits competitions.
Cruzan Black Strap: a heavier bodied version of Cruzan light rum with the addition of blackstrap molasses from tropical sugar cane.[5] According to Gary Nelthropp, Master Distiller for Cruzan, there is no blackstrap molasses in the flavoring component. It is named after blackstrap molasses solely for marketing purposes.[6]
Cruzan Light Aged Rum is aged in oak for at least one year and then carbon filtered for clarity.[7]
Branded as Cruzan Tropical Rums, white rum blended with flavorings. Available in raspberry, coconut, mango, vanilla, pineapple, banana, black cherry, citrus, guava, key lime, passion fruit, orange, peach, blueberry/lemonade and strawberry.
A watermelon variety was introduced in 2019.[8]