Rockley 1986 – Myths and Legends from Barbados
The so-called Rockley 1986 bottlings are among the most exceptional and, today, most sought-after old rums from Barbados. Hardly any other rum is so ‘distinct’ in terms of origin, vintage and character. And there is another factor to consider – the number of bottlings is more than manageable.
Yet behind the name Rockley lies a story that is worth briefly revisiting.
Rockley – Plantation, Still and Myth
People often refer to a ‘Rockley Distillery’ – though historically, only Rockley Plantation in Barbados is documented. It is associated with a very old copper pot still, which is now housed at the West Indies Rum Distillery (WIRD) and is known as the Rockley Still. This still is one of the oldest in existence – and is said to have been made around 1780.
The Rockley Still was used at WIRD from 1936 until the 1960s. After that, it lay idle for decades.
It follows, then, that the famous 1986 Rockley rums were not distilled on the historic Rockley still.
So where does Rockley 1986 come from?
The 1986 vintages generally originate from the West Indies Rum Distillery in Black Rock, Barbados. That much is certain.
When it comes to the stills in which the Rockley 1986 was distilled, the Gregg Pot Still and the historic Vulcan Chamber Still are frequently mentioned. It is not possible to say with certainty to what extent this applies to all bottlings – but what must be noted is the fact that all 1986 bottlings display a very similar flavour profile.
We can certainly say today that, over the years, Rockley has come to be regarded as a designation for a particular WIRD style from 1986 – the ‘Rockley Style’!
What makes this Rockley style so special?
Rockley 1986 differs markedly from many classic Barbados rums. Generally speaking, this style is rarely found – and when it is, it tends to be a one-off exception.
For a Barbados rum, it has an unusually rich profile featuring honey, beeswax, smoke, herbs, medicinal notes, tropical fruits and spices. This is often underpinned by a resinous woody note.
The fact that this vintage from WIRD, with cask ageing periods ranging from 11 to 34 years, is so clearly recognisable and distinguishable in flavour across all bottlings is extremely rare in the world of rum.
The real Rockley Still is back
The historic Rockley Still itself took a completely different path.
After lying disused for around half a century, it underwent extensive restoration at WIRD. It was finally brought back into operation in January 2024.
This brings things full circle in a remarkable way:
Although the legendary ‘Rockley 1986’ rum does not originate from the historic Rockley Still, the genuine Rockley Still is now producing rum once again.
Conclusion
Rockley 1986 is less the story of a defunct distillery than the story of an exceptional rum style from the West Indies Rum Distillery.
The prospect of tasting, in a few years’ time, a rum distilled in the genuine Rockley still should delight us all. We are keen to see whether its characteristics will come close to the profile of the Rockley-style bottlings.
Some good news to finish with – we currently have 14 different bottlings of the 1986-distilled rum in our ongoing auction. This is your chance to secure a piece of rum history.
Check out the bottle in the current Auction
Good luck with your bids – and enjoy!