Antigua: Rum Making Masterclass & Tasting at Galleon Beach

Summary

Blend your own Caribbean rum by the sea in Antigua with local stories and a personal touch

You’ll taste six local rums right by Galleon Beach in Antigua, then mix your own flavor with guidance from a friendly master distiller. Laugh over spice choices, label your own 750ml bottle to take home, and soak up small stories behind every pour. It’s laid-back fun that sticks with you long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the first sip to hit me like that — not just the taste (which was sharp, sweet, then somehow smoky?) but the way everyone in our little group suddenly started grinning at each other. We’d just arrived at this sun-bleached distillery right off Galleon Beach in Antigua for a rum making masterclass, and honestly, I thought it would be more formal. Instead, there was this easy chatter from the staff, reggae humming from somewhere behind the barrels, and our guide (I think his name was Marcus) handing us tiny glasses before we’d even sat down. The air smelled like molasses and salt water. It all felt pretty relaxed.

We tried six different rums — each one had its own thing going on. One tasted almost like banana bread; another was spicy enough that I had to cough (which made Marcus laugh). He told us about how they age some of these rums right here on site, and pointed out a row of battered oak barrels stacked against a wall with chalk marks. I liked hearing him talk about his favorite blend — he said his grandmother used to sneak him sips as a kid, which made me wonder what my own grandma would think of all this. There was something kind of comforting about how casual it all felt.

The hands-on part was messier than I expected. My friend and I argued over which spices to add — cinnamon or nutmeg? — and ended up tossing both in because why not. The stills were warm to the touch and everything smelled sticky-sweet by then. We got to slap our names on a label for our bottle (mine came out crooked but whatever), and Marcus snapped a photo of us holding it up like we’d just won something big. I still think about that moment every time I see the bottle on my shelf back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Rum making masterclass and tasting

• Arrive at the rum distillery
• Participate in 1-hour rum making class
• Sample 5 different flavored rums
• Create personalized rum mixture
• Mix ingredients for 750ml bottle
• Receive bottle with personalized label

Top questions

How long is the rum making masterclass in Antigua?

The class lasts around 1 hour at the distillery near Galleon Beach.

Do we get to take home our own bottle?

Yes, each pair creates one unique 750ml bottle with a personalized label to bring home.

Is transportation included for this rum tour?

No hotel pickup is mentioned, but public transport options are nearby and accessible.

How many people share each rum making station?

The class is designed for two people per station creating one flavor together.

Are there tastings included during the class?

You’ll sample five or six different locally made rums as part of the experience.

Is this experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas including transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

Can pregnant travelers join this Antigua rum tour?

No, it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with certain health conditions.

Are service animals allowed at the distillery?

Yes, service animals are allowed during the masterclass.

What’s included

Your day includes sampling five or six house-made rums at Galleon Beach’s distillery in Antigua, hands-on use of real stills to blend your own unique flavor as a pair, plus one full-size 750ml bottle with your names on it to take home—guided throughout by friendly locals who share their stories along with every pour.