Knowledge
Double gold in Japan
Black Edition and Very Rare from our Non Plus Ultra series were awarded Gold in the Tokyo.
Old St. Croix Spirits has entered into a partnership with the travel and tourism agency Atlantic Link.
Once again this year, Old St. Croix and Atlantic Link continue their collaboration to shine a light on the former Danish West Indies, today known as the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The partnership is rooted in a shared passion for history, culture, and the Caribbean island group that, more than 180 years ago, inspired Albert Heinrich Riise to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. An adventure that laid the foundation for the brand we know today as Old St. Croix — and one that still lives on in the golden drops we bottle.
Just as Riise once allowed himself to be guided toward unknown shores in search of new aromas and flavours, we see this partnership as a journey toward new horizons — with history in our luggage and adventure ahead.
Meet Us at The Danish Travel Show in Herning 2026
From 20–22 February, you can meet Old St. Croix and Atlantic Link at The Danish Travel Show in Herning — Scandinavia’s largest travel fair.
At stand G 5608, Old St. Croix invites you into our bar, where you can enjoy tastings of selected blends and discover the story of Albert Heinrich Riise — the Danish pharmacist whose journey began on the West Indian islands more than 180 years ago. At the same time, Atlantic Link will share travel inspiration and insights into the islands, their culture, and their unique history.
During the fair, there will also be exclusive trade fair offers on selected bottles.
Come and experience the taste of history — and let’s raise a glass to new adventures.
History in a Bottle
The aroma and flavor of a glass of Old St. Croix are like a journey back in time to the Danish West Indies. It was here, on these sun-drenched islands, that Albert Heinrich Riise put Danish West Indian rum on the world map.
The year is 1838, and the young, travel-minded pharmacist from the island of Ærø is appointed Royal Privileged Pharmacist on St. Thomas — a position that also granted him a monopoly on producing alcohol, which at the time was considered a pharmaceutical product.
Albert Heinrich Riise built his three-storey “Apothecary Hall” at 6 Dronningens Gade, the main street of Charlotte Amalie. From here, he sold not only traditional pharmacy goods, but also his famous Bay Rum hair tonic and rum.
Initially, Riise produced rum and bitters as remedies for stomach ailments, but the products quickly gained popularity far beyond their medicinal purpose. The Danish Navy became one of his first major customers, and in 1893, The A.H. Riise Company received its first international medal at the World’s Fair in Chicago.
A legacy that lives on in Old St. Croix today.
One of Albert Heinrich Riise’s first trademarks was “Old St. Croix”. The name refers to the lush island of St. Croix, which from the early 1700s and two centuries forward was the center for the cultivation of sugar cane and the production of sugar. It was from here Riise purchased the by-product molasses, which was the basis for the distillation of his popular rum.
The historical rum brand was first introduced in the early 1870s when Riise began marketing his rum in the United States and Central America and needed a good name for the golden drops. Today, Old St. Croix (former A.H. Riise Spirits) has reintroduced the original trademark on its Non Plus Ultra blends, as a tribute to Albert Heinrich Riise’s craftsmanship and traditions.
Dreaming of visiting the West Indies?
The Danish West Indies are for better or worse closely tied to Denmark’s history as a maritime nation and colonial power. Even today, more than 100 years after the islands became American, you can walk around streets with Danish names and find traces of Albert Heinrich Riise’s life and work on the islands. Click here for more information on travel to the West Indies.
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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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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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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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.
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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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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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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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A collectors item. The first of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths with unique aromas and expressions.
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A collectors item. The second of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths with unique aromas and expressions.
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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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A collectors item. The fourth of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths.
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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 last of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths.
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Fans and collectors are treated with a limited edition blend in tribute to researchers and explorers.
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Invite your senses on a journey with Old St. Croix - 24 Experiences. An exclusive tasting box that takes you back to the Caribbean islands.
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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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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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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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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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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 tasteful Bitter with the taste of gentian root, quinine, bitter orange, coffee beans and a touch of vanilla.
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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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Enjoying this blend means supporting the preservation of an iconic piece of Danish maritime heritage – the Frigate Jylland.
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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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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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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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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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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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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 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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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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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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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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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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A smooth rum cream with a powerful, flavorsome, and sweet, exquisite taste of XO rum
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A luxurious rum cream with a smooth and sweet taste of XO rum, caramel, and sea salt.
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