Old St. Croix

The three faces of rum

West Indian rum and spirit drinks based on rum are traditionally produced in three different styles leading to different types of rum.

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Rum is produced in three different styles

Spanish, English and French style

West Indian rum and spirit drinks based on different types of rum are traditionally produced in three styles: Spanish, English, and French. EU have in April 2019 introduced that rum can only be called rum if it have less than 20 grams sugar per liter, corresponding to 2% sugar in the final product. Among the 3 styles, it’s often the French style that has the smallest amount of sugar. The English and Spanish style, which account for 90% of production, have often more sugar than 20 grams per liter and is therefore labeled “spirit drink based on rum”. You can read more here.

Rum and spirit drinks based on rum in Spanish and English style are often made from molasses. This syrupy product from sugar production gives a deep and spicy taste of brown sugar and caramel. Because molasses is a remnant of sugar cane and sugar cane juice after the sugar is extracted, it contains a concentrated level of vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium that were present in the sugar cane itself.

The Spanish variant originates from the former Spanish colonies, including the later Danish West Indies. This style is often lighter and more round in taste, which is why most people find it smoother and easier to drink.

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The three types of rum

The English style, also known as sailors rum, originates from the British Virgin Islands and Antilles – e.g. the islands of Barbados, Trinidad and Jamaica. It is made on copper pot stills and is dark, spicy and medium sweet.

The Spanish style originates from the former Spanish colonies, including the later Danish West Indies. This style is lighter and more round in taste, which is why most people find it smoother and easier to drink. This is due to column distillation, which removes impurities and undesirable aromas. The addition of sugar or molasses makes blends with Spanish rum sweeter than other types because it softens the alcohol.

Both English and Spanish rum and spirit drinks based on rum are typically aged in barrels of American oak, offering notes of vanilla, structure and finesse to the taste.

As an additional flavoring, manufacturers often use casks that have previously been used to store sherry, port or dessert wines.

Rum in the French style is also called “rhum agricole” or “agricultural rum” and originates from the French colonies in the Caribbean – Martinique and Guadeloupe. Rhum agricole is a column distillate of fresh juice from sugar cane and extra sugar may not be added. This gives a dry, lighter and more acidic taste that resembles cognac. This is partly due to that it, like cognac, is stored in barrels of French oak that contains large amounts of tannins. The style is distinctly different from the Spanish and English variants, and for many people it can be difficult to identify as rum.

A taste for any occasion

 

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Cream Original

Cream Original - A soft, creamy, and irresistibly indulgent — like a dessert you don’t want to share.

Cream Caramel

A luxurious Caramel Cream with a smooth and sweet taste of caribbean spirits, caramel, and sea salt.

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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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A.H. Riise Signature bottle

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.

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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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.

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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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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A.H. Riise Royal Danish Navy rum

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Enjoying this blend means supporting the preservation of an iconic piece of Danish maritime heritage – the Frigate Jylland.

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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24 Experiences, 2025 Edition

Invite your senses on a journey with Old St. Croix - 24 Experiences. An exclusive tasting box that takes you back to the Caribbean islands.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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” means “golden amber” – a nod to both the radiant hue and the luxurious quality of this exclusive blend.

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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A collectors item. The third of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths with unique aromas and expressions.

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Fans and collectors are treated with a limited edition blend in tribute to researchers and explorers.

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A collectors item. The fifth of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths.

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A collectors item. The fourth of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths.

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A collectors item. The first of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths with unique aromas and expressions.

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.

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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