Chairman’s Reserve The Forgotten Casks Saint Lucia Rum
Chairman's Reserve The Forgotten Casks is an 80-proof (40% ABV), 750mL Saint Lucia rum with one of the great origin stories in spirits. On May 2, 2007, fire tore through St. Lucia Distillers' cask storage; in the chaos, the cellar master stashed aging casks in unusual corners — some were misplaced and forgotten, discovered years later as over-aged rum too old for the original blend. The distillery bottled it rather than waste it, to worldwide acclaim; today's release honors that accident, aging Chairman's Reserve Original an additional three years in ex-bourbon casks after blending. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 750mL (US market)
- Age: 7–8 years in ex-bourbon barrels per the US importer (legacy copy claims 8–11 — importer figure used)
- Origin: Roseau, Saint Lucia; St. Lucia Distillers (Saint Lucia Rum GI)
- Blend: Coffey column + "John Dore 2" copper pot still rums; 100% molasses, 36–45 hr fermentation
The Rum the Fire Made Famous
Every distillery has a story; few have a fire. The 2007 blaze at St. Lucia Distillers destroyed cask storage — and accidentally created this rum, when forgotten casks turned up years later, over-aged and too intense for the standard blend. The current Forgotten Casks keeps the legend alive by giving the Chairman's Original blend three extra years in ex-bourbon wood. The result is darker, richer, and more contemplative than the Original: grilled tropical fruit, candied walnuts, cigar tobacco. For rum lovers, it is the bottle with the best story on the shelf — and the liquid to back it up.
Tasting Notes
Rich dark gold-mahogany. Intense sweet raisins, cigar tobacco, amber honey, and vanilla on the nose; a palate of grilled tropical fruit, candied walnuts, and soft spices; a long, warming finish.
How to Enjoy
Neat or with a single cube — the extra age deserves a slow pour. It also elevates a dark rum Old Fashioned. Taste it next to the Chairman's 1931 and Spiced Original for the full Saint Lucia range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story behind "Forgotten Casks"?
After the May 2007 distillery fire, misplaced casks were discovered years later, over-aged beyond the original blend's spec. The distillery released them as their own bottling; the current expression replicates the profile with three extra years in ex-bourbon.
How old is the rum?
The US importer states 7–8 years in ex-bourbon barrels. Some legacy brand copy claims 8–11 years — the importer figure reflects the current product.
Is it still a limited release?
It is marketed as a limited release, though the expression is now an ongoing part of the range rather than a one-time fire bottling.
Discover more Chairman's Reserve and our complete rum collection. Born of fire, finished with patience — get the Forgotten Casks online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.