R L Seales

The Foursquare Distillery occupies the site of a former sugar factory that dates back to 1636 and, as one of the most modern and efficient rum distilleries in the world, is designed to be both highly energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

The distillery produces light rums in a three-column vacuum still and heavier rums in a modern pot still. R L Seale is one of Barbados’ oldest trading houses, a family-owned business whose involvement in rum-making extends from father-to-son since 1820.

Current head distiller, Richard Seale, is one of the region’s most innovative distillers and blenders and has a passion for producing perfect rum with great flavour.

Rum has been produced on the island of Barbados for more than 300 years, but it was not until the 1906 Rum Duty Act was passed that the industry began to develop as we know it today. Prior to this, distillation took place on many of the plantations, but the new law meant the distilleries had to obtain a licence and could sell only in bulk.

Hence many of the Bridgetown trading companies became bottlers, including Martin Doorly & Co, and the growth of branded names began. Martin Doorly evolved into Doorly’s Macaw Rum, and became the first bottled rum exported from the island. Doorly’s rums are still famous throughout the world.