Barbadian Don Benn shines after winning global spirits’ award

Operations Manager and Master Distiller at the West Indies Rum Distillery (WIRD) Don Benn has copped the runner’s up award in the Distiller of the Year category in the prestigious 2020 Spirits Business Awards.

It also represents a significant triumph for the Barbadian, as the accolade has also landed him the title of world’s top rum distiller.

“This recognition is a testament to the excellent team we have at WIRD and the time-honoured traditions and techniques we incorporate when crafting some of the finest rums. Some of my colleagues have more than 40 years’ experience in rum-making, so we always seek to combine heritage with innovation in everything we do,” said Benn.

“WIRD was established more than a century ago and we have always sought to pay tribute to that generation of Barbadian rum makers who prized quality in the glass above everything else.

“Sharing that passion for quality rum remains our ultimate mission and we are happy that our work, and by extension Barbados, has been recognised by such a respected organisation in the international spirit industry.”

The Spirits Business Awards aims to reward those driving excellence across the spirits industry – from retailers and distributors to marketers, brands, distillers, and blenders.

Judged by members of The Spirits Business editorial team and a panel of independent spirits experts, the awards are separated into five areas: Retail and Marketing, Sustainability and Innovation, Tourism, Products, and People.

Managing Director of WIRD Andrew Hassell congratulated Benn and the distillery’s team for the achievement.

“We pay tribute to Don and our team, who continue to demonstrate their commitment and passion for the research and preservation of local rum-making techniques.

“Don has over 20 years’ experience and expertise in fermentation and distillation, and he is also a member of the Technical Committee of the West Indies Rum & Spirits Producers’ Association, so we are happy to have someone so well respected write the next chapter in WIRD’s history,” he said.

“We could not be more proud with how our rums have been received by fans both at home and abroad, especially Plantation Rum with its distinctive net-like wrap of raffia around the bottle. It proves that when know-how and heritage are combined, it can produce fantastic rums.”

Founded in 1893, WIRD is Barbados’ leading rum producer and distils the globally recognised and award-winning line of Plantation Rums.

Since 2017, the Distillery and long-time customer Alexandre Gabriel of Maison Ferrand, the owner and Master Blender of Plantation Rum, have combined their mutual passion into a single, yet inclusive vision of premium Barbados rum resulting in an unprecedented partnership that now sees the locally produced spirit available in 89 countries around the world. (PR)