Don Benn’s dedication to Barbados rum heritage shines through his everyday passion at the West Indies Rum Distillery where he has the duty of Operations Manager and Master Distiller. 

After completing a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and Management, he has achieved a strong expertise on fermentation and distillation techniques for over 21 years now. His passion and perseverance quickly earned him a seat as a member of WIRSPA Technical Committee. Being an avid sports fan made him a competitive man, always pushing to do better, may it be in rum making or in road tennis, in which he is the current West Indies Rum Distillery’s champion.

Don Benn has copped the runner’s up award in the Distiller of the Year category in the prestigious 2020 Spirits Business Awards.

“This recognition is a testament to the excellent team we have at WIRD and the time-honoured traditions and techniques we incorporate when crafting some of the finest rums. Some of my colleagues have more than forty years’ experience in rum-making, so we always seek to combine heritage with innovation in everything we do,” said Benn.