40% ABV
Rum
Saint LuciaÂ
Breaking the LineÂ
On the morning of April 12, 1782, the narrow stretch of ocean between the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Dominica hosted one of the most significant naval engagements in British history. The French fleet under Admiral François Joseph Paul, Comte de Grasse, was racing to aid a dismasted French warship when it encountered a British fleet bearing down from the south. At the head of the British formation sailed the HMS Formidable, flagship of Admiral Sir George Brydges Rodney, a man whose tactical genius and daring would forever change naval warfare.
Rodney had been dispatched to the area to save Jamaica from a planned Franco-Spanish invasion threatening Britain’s lucrative sugar trade. With 15,000 French troops waiting in Santo Domingo and a Spanish fleet preparing to join the assault, the economic stakes could not have been higher.
During the battle, shifting winds caught the French line in disarray, disrupting their formation, and Rodney made his move. He ordered his ships to sail directly through gaps in the French line – a maneuver known as “breaking the line.” This tactic shattered the French formation, allowing the British to bring concentrated fire to bear on isolated enemy vessels.
The result was complete victory. Seven French ships were captured, including de Grasse’s flagship, along with the admiral himself. Jamaica was saved, and British Caribbean control secured. HMS Formidable would forever be associated with one of Britain’s greatest naval victories, making her an obvious choice to inspire a rum that celebrates valor, honor, and service.
A Legacy of InnovationÂ
Laurie Barnard, the late chairman, transformed Saint Lucia Distillers with his vision. While others invested in larger column stills to increase volume, Barnard believed the best rum came from the blending of different distillation methods, barrel types, and even base materials. His philosophy was captured in a proverb that continues to guide the distillery: “We do not put age statements on our rums because we believe passionately that complexity and balance can only be maximized by blending old, complex, but often ‘woody’ rums with fresher but characterful rums.”
This philosophy led to investments in diverse capabilities: small pot stills alongside column stills, proprietary yeast strains, unusual barrel types, and island-grown sugarcane. The Admiral Rodney range, introduced in the 2000s, exemplified this approach. The brand was conceived as a series of naval-themed rums, each named after a ship that participated in the Battle of the Saints. HMS Princessa honored the Spanish vessel captured by the British in 1780, HMS Royal Oak celebrated the ship that maneuvered skillfully in the vanguard of Rodney’s fleet, and HMS Formidable paid tribute to the admiral’s flagship itself.
Master of Many MethodsÂ
Saint Lucia Distillers operates three pot stills alongside a column still, allowing maximum distillation variety. They work with imported molasses and fresh sugarcane juice from 15 acres of cane grown on the island. Beyond standard American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, the distillery experiments with a variety of barrel types including port pipes, sherry butts, and even Chilean wine casks for finishing special releases.
The rum’s production benefits from what the distillery calls “full tropical aging” – meaning the rum is always aged in Saint Lucia’s climate rather than being partially aged elsewhere. HMS Formidable is aged between nine and 12 years in American white oak bourbon barrels. It showcases what can be achieved when traditional Caribbean distillation meets extended tropical maturation. The 40% ABV bottling strength allows the complex flavors to unfold without being overwhelmed by alcohol heat, making it accessible to both newcomers and connoisseurs.
Pairing by: Erik Calviño
Tasting Notes: Admiral Rodney HMS Formidable
At 40% ABV, I recommend that you taste the HMS Formidable neat and preferably in a nosing glass. You’ll find tons of rich vanilla, caramel, and tropical fruits on the nose with a touch of freshly cut sugarcane. On the palate, the rum is interestingly at the crossroads between a heavy, aged rum and a lighter, dryer rum. It could be an ideal introduction to aged sipping rums, but it wouldn’t surprise me if many fell head over heels for it. It has a unique, funky quality to the spirit that makes me want to keep taking sips.
Cigar Pairing: Villiger Miami
The rum’s delicate and nuanced profile begs for a mild and creamy smoke, and in that category the Villiger Miami delivers. The cigar is on the mild end of the strength spectrum but delivers tons of cedar, lightly roasted nuts, and sweet creaminess. Combined with the light bodied sweetness of the Admiral Rodney rum, the result is a beautifully balanced experience.
