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ROYAL DANISH NAVY
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Old St. Croix – Back to Our Roots
With the return to the name Old St. Croix, we take one step back – to take two steps forward.
Old St. Croix – Back to Our Roots
From Pharmacist to Rum Pioneer
With the return to the name Old St. Croix, we take one step back – to take two steps forward. The name revives the original vision that inspired Albert Heinrich Riise, who, more than 150 years ago, brought Danish West Indian rum to the world.
From Pharmacist to Rum Pioneer
The story begins in 1838, when the Danish pharmacist opened his apothecary on St. Thomas. There, he produced medicinal goods using alcohol derived from the region’s abundant sugarcane. One of his signature products was Bay Rum – a hair elixir distilled from double-distilled spirits. Curious and entrepreneurial by nature, Riise soon began to experiment with rum. The raw materials were right at hand – on the neighbouring island of St. Croix.
St. Croix – The Garden of the West Indies
Discovered by Columbus on his second voyage, St. Croix became known in the 18th century for its lush landscape and vast sugarcane production. At one point, the island held more than 200 sugar mills, and “St. Croix rum” became synonymous with superior quality. By the late 1800s, it appeared in cocktail books and bar menus – even inspiring its own signature drink: the St. Croix Rum Fix.
The Birth of a Brand
As Riise’s success grew, he expanded beyond the Caribbean and Denmark, exporting to Europe and the United States. To reach these new markets, he needed a name that was easy to remember and pronounce – one that evoked warmth, adventure, sugarcane, and tradition. The name Old St. Croix was born.
Breakthrough in Chicago
In a time before the internet or modern logistics, global expansion took time – and world exhibitions were the stages for innovation. After presenting under the Riise brand at the Great Nordic Exhibition in Copenhagen 1888, Old St. Croix achieved international recognition in 1893, winning a gold medal at the World’s Fair in Chicago.
Enjoix Old St. Croix
After the sale of the Danish West Indies in 1917, Old St. Croix gained popularity in USA. A 1934 ad called it America’s fastest-selling rum – proudly displaying the 1893 gold medal and Albert Heinrich Riise’s signature. The marketing was bold and ahead of its time. During the American whiskey shortage, the brand encouraged drinkers to try Old St. Croix in an Old Fashioned. It was also one of the first to use pirate imagery in advertising, and a playful campaign in the 1970s clarified that “Croix” rhymes with “Enjoy.”
A New Chapter – Rooted in History
In 2010, the A.H. Riise brand returned to Denmark and Northern Europe. In 2021, “Old St. Croix” reappeared on the Non Plus Ultra collection – a tribute to Riise’s international ambition. And in 2025, we take the final step: a full name change and the launch of Old St. Croix Legacy – a limited edition inspired by the original bottle design.
With Old St. Croix, we’re not just writing history. We’re building on it – crafting new taste experiences for a new generation of explorers.
A taste for any occasion
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175 Years Anniversary
In 2013, we marked 175 years since Danish pharmacist Albert Heinrich Riise first opened his Apothecary Hall on Saint Thomas in the Danish West Indies.
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Thin Blue Line
When you enjoy this blend, you're also supporting Thin Blue Line Denmark — a nonprofit organization that helps current and former police officers who have been physically or mentally injured in the line of duty.
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Christmas Edition
In the former Danish West Indies, Christmas was celebrated just like in the North – with hymns, holiday stories, and dancing around the tree, even if it had to be shipped across the Atlantic.
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Port Cask
If you enjoy deep, complex flavors with a hint of fruity elegance, Old St. Croix XO Reserve - Port Cask is an excellent choice.
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Ambre d`Or
“Ambre d’Or” means “golden amber” – a nod to both the radiant hue and the luxurious quality of this exclusive blend.
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Superior Cask
When it comes to remarkable blends, the choice of casks makes all the difference. Each oak barrel brings its own personality while carrying subtle notes from the wines it once held—often port or sherry.
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1888 Copenhagen Medal
Old St. Croix XO Reserve - 1888 Copenhagen Medal is a modern tribute to the blend awarded a medal at the Great Nordic Exhibition in Copenhagen in 1888 – a proud moment for the family of pharmacist Albert Heinrich Riise.
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Haakon Royal Reserve
In the late 1800s, a special friendship bloomed in the Danish West Indies—between two young men: the future King Haakon VII of Norway and Valdemar Riise, son of pharmacist Albert Heinrich Riise.
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Founders Reserve 44,5%
A collectors item. The first of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths with unique aromas and expressions.
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Founders Reserve 44,3%
A collectors item. The second of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths with unique aromas and expressions.
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Founders Reserve 44,8%
A collectors item. The third of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths with unique aromas and expressions.
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Founders Reserve 45,1%
A collectors item. The fourth of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths.
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Founders Reserve 44,4%
A collectors item. The fifth of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths.
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Founders Reserve 45,5%
A collectors item. The last of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths.
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Explorer Edition
Fans and collectors are treated with a limited edition blend in tribute to researchers and explorers.
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XO Legacy Reserve
150 years ago, Danish pharmacist and adventurer Albert Heinrich Riise introduced spirits from the West Indies to the world under the name Old St. Croix – a tribute to the lush Caribbean island of St. Croix, renowned for its sugarcane cultivation.
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Black Barrel Navy Spiced
Old St. Croix Black Barrel Navy Spiced was developed in close collaboration between our Master Distiller and experienced bartenders — with one goal in mind: to elevate your cocktails.
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Naval Cadet
Old St. Croix Royal Danish Navy - Naval Cadet was created in collaboration with the Cadet Association of the Royal Danish Naval Academy – the world’s oldest naval officer school, founded in 1701.
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Navy Frogman
Old St. Croix Royal Danish Navy - Frogman was created as a tribute to the Danish Frogman Corps – an elite unit whose courage and strength help secure the safety we often take for granted.
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Navy Strength
Throughout history, spirits and seafaring have gone hand in hand—along with a fair share of trickery and dilution. To ensure quality, sailors came up with a simple test: they poured the spirit onto gunpowder and lit it.
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Navy Bitter
A tasteful Bitter with the taste of gentian root, quinine, bitter orange, coffee beans and a touch of vanilla.
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The Original Navy
When Albert Heinrich Riise began his production in the Danish West Indies in 1838, the Danish navy was among his first loyal customers.
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The Frigate Jylland
Enjoying this blend means supporting the preservation of an iconic piece of Danish maritime heritage – the Frigate Jylland.
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Family Reserve
Old St. Croix Family Reserve was first created in 2015 for a major Riise family reunion – a private gathering that takes place every five years.
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Non Plus Ultra Very Rare
Old St. Croix Non Plus Ultra - Very Rare is only produced when our Master Distiller identifies casks of truly exceptional quality from the finest distilleries in the Caribbean.
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Non Plus Ultra Black Edition
Old St. Croix Non Plus Ultra - Black Edition is the most intense expression in the series. Crafted from selected casks sourced from renowned distilleries in the Caribbean.
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Non Plus Ultra Ambre d’Or Excellence
Old St. Croix Non Plus Ultra - Ambre d’Or Excellence is the most elegant expression in the series – named for its amber-golden glow and sweet dessert wines.
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Platinum Reserve
A.H. Riise Platinum is created from small batch of unique rum. The heart of the blend is two Solera aged rums from aged casks.
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Centennial Celebration
A tribute blend not only to A.H. Riise, but also to the indigenous population of the islands as well as the Danish colonists.
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Signature
Signature is created as a tribute to the man behind our brand—the visionary pharmacist Albert Heinrich Riise (1810–1882), who journeyed to the Caribbean driven by a spirit of discovery.
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Non Plus Ultra La Galante
Old St. Croix Non Plus Ultra - La Galante is named after Columbus’ ship Santa Maria La Galante, which carried him to St. Croix and the West Indies.
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Black Coral
The 1st blend in the Black Gem Collection, inspired by the rare black gemstones that hide deep beneath the soil and waters of the West Indies.
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Black Larimar
The 2nd blend in the Black Gem Collection, inspired by the rare black gemstones that hide deep beneath the soil and waters of the West Indies.
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Black Spinel
The 3rd blend in the Black Gem Collection, inspired by the rare black gemstones that hide deep beneath the soil and waters of the West Indies.
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XO Rum Cream Original
A smooth rum cream with a powerful, flavorsome, and sweet, exquisite taste of XO rum
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XO Rum Cream Caramel
A luxurious rum cream with a smooth and sweet taste of XO rum, caramel, and sea salt.
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Royal Danish Navy
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