John Watling’s Distillery: Rum, History, and Heritage in Downtown Nassau

John Watling’s Distillery

Rum, History, and Heritage in Downtown Nassau

Just a short walk from downtown Nassau’s, John Watling’s Distillery sits quietly on the Buena Vista Estate—a colonial-era property that dates back more than 230 years. Today, it’s home to a small-batch rum operation rooted in traditional methods and local pride.

A Historic Setting on the Buena Vista Estate

The distillery is located on Delancy Street, in the heart of the city’s historic district. The estate itself was built in 1789 and has been carefully restored to preserve its original charm. Whitewashed walls, wooden shutters, and wraparound verandas give the site an old-Bahamian feel, and the surrounding grounds are shaded by coconut palms and centuries-old trees.

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Inside the Distillery

John Watling’s rum is distilled, barreled, and bottled on site, with much of the process open for visitors to observe. The production is small-scale and emphasizes traditional techniques—aging rum in oak barrels, avoiding artificial coloring, and relying on natural fermentation.

Visitors can take a self-guided or staff-guided walk through the estate’s small production areas. Exhibits explain the steps of rum-making, from molasses fermentation to blending and aging. There’s no high-tech flash or elaborate staging here—the distillery keeps things simple, focusing on the basics of craft and history.

Tasting Room and Local Flavors

At the end of the walk-through, you’ll find the Red Turtle Tavern, the distillery’s tasting bar. Here, you can try samples of their different rums, including their popular Amber and Buena Vista expressions. Tasting is complimentary, and if you want a full pour, the bar serves classic rum cocktails like the Bahama Mama and the Goombay Smash.

There’s no pressure to buy, but bottles are available for sale—many of which are signed and wax-sealed on site.

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Location

Hours

Open everyday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Entrance Fee

The main tours of the distillery and Buena Vista Estate are free and open to the public. The distillery offers rum tastings, including flights and specialized tastings like the Rum Academy, which have associated fees.
Visitors can pay to bottle their own rum, which has a price of $20.

Are you ready to start discovering Bahamas?

This is the tour I did during my time in the Bahamas and personally recommend—leaving the link below so you can check it out for yourself.

Are you ready to start discovering Bahamas?

This is the tour I did during my time in the Bahamas and personally recommend—leaving the link below so you can check it out for yourself.

Tour bahamas

More things to see in Bahamas

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