Chairman’s Reserve Spiced Original Saint Lucia Rum
Chairman's Reserve Spiced Original is an 80-proof (40% ABV), 750mL spiced rum from St. Lucia Distillers — the real-rum answer to the spiced category. It starts from Chairman's Reserve Original, an average-5-year blend of copper pot and Coffey still rums aged in ex-bourbon American white oak (from Jim Beam, Jack Daniel's, and Buffalo Trace barrels), then steeps it with Bois Bandé — the Caribbean tree bark of aphrodisiac legend — plus cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, allspice, and lemon and orange peel. Some botanicals macerate for months; others steep up to a year. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 750mL (US market)
- Base: Chairman's Reserve Original; avg ~5 years in ex-bourbon American white oak
- Origin: Roseau, Saint Lucia; St. Lucia Distillers (launched 2010)
- Spices: Bois Bandé, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, allspice, lemon peel, orange peel
A Spiced Rum for People Who Like Rum
Most spiced rums start with neutral spirit and a flavor lab. Chairman's starts with a genuinely good 5-year-old Saint Lucia blend — pot and column stills, real bourbon barrels — then builds the spice the slow way, with months-long macerations. The Bois Bandé gives it a signature the category can't copy, and the bitter orange and nutmeg keep it from going candy-sweet. The distillery's own serve is cranberry juice or ginger beer over ice with grated nutmeg. Among rums, this is the spiced bottle for drinkers who read labels.
Tasting Notes
Deep mahogany with a red hue. Bitter orange, nutmeg, cinnamon, and sweet raisin on the nose; a sweet, rich, full mouthful of exotic spice balanced with crisp citrus — "an epicurean and complex spiced rum," in the official notes.
How to Enjoy
Over ice with ginger beer and grated nutmeg, or with cranberry juice per the distillery serve. It also makes a spiced daiquiri with real character. Keep the unspiced Chairman's expressions nearby for a side-by-side tasting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bois Bandé?
A Caribbean tree bark traditionally reputed as an aphrodisiac, steeped into this rum as its signature botanical alongside classic baking spices.
What is the base rum?
Chairman's Reserve Original — a ~5-year blend of copper pot and Coffey still rums, each distillate aged in ex-bourbon oak (Jim Beam, Jack Daniel's, Buffalo Trace barrels) then married six months in oak.
Is it very sweet?
No — the spice is balanced with bitter orange and crisp citrus rather than built on sugar. It reads as complex, not candied.
See the rest of Chairman's Reserve and our full rum collection. Real rum, real spice — order Chairman's Spiced online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.