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Our Heritage
One Island. Countless Stories.
Follow the story of Cruzan® Rum.
Beginning in 1760 with the establishment of the land we make our rum on today—The Estate Diamond, the island of St. Croix and generations of the Nelthropp family have influenced each flavor, and left their mark on every barrel and batch. From everyone who shows up to run our distillery to the island we call home, our rum is named for the people and the place that made it all possible. To us, there would never be any rum without the Crucians who have always supported it all.
Timeline
Estate Diamond established.
1760
A site with a sugar mill was founded, and would eventually become the Cruzan Distillery.
Call it “Cruzan Rum.”
1934
Created by locals seeking to make a rum unique to the island of St. Croix, the first batch labeled as “Cruzan Rum” is distilled and bottled.
Refining and redefining high-grade rum.
1940
Over the next decade, pot still distillation is replaced by continuous column still production, leading to a rum with a smooth character.
The Nelthropp era begins.
1950
Cedric “Ceddie” Nelthropp joins Cruzan Rum. With deep roots on St. Croix, the Nelthropp family became synonymous with Cruzan Rum.
Donald “Hardy” takes charge.
1982
Cedric’s younger brother takes over as president of Cruzan Rum, expanding the company and supporting St. Croix’s economic growth.
Gary Nelthropp & Cruzan step into the modern era.
2007
Gary takes the top job at Cruzan Rum, and takes over as Master Distiller, continuing a family tradition now stretching back decades.
The Island Spirit Fund is established.
2018
Set up in the wake of Hurricane Maria, the Island Spirit Fund was created to help victims and communities weather any storm.
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