French Gin and rum producer Maison Ferrand has acquired West Indies Rum Distillery in Barbados, which has been producing rum since the 19th century.

Maison Ferrand owns the plantation rum brand and has global distribution in 68 countries. The company manufactures  gin at its facility in Cognac.

Plantation rum was first launched in 2003. Maison Ferrand selects, ages, and blends the product from Caribbean distilleries.

Barbados is the historical birthplace of rum making and West Indies Rum Distillery is claimed to have some ancient pot stills, which have been lying unused for almost 100 years.

Maison Ferrand's proprietor Alexandre Gabriel said: "We are production guys and having our own distillery in the Caribbean has been a dream for many years.

"Having our own distillery in the Caribbean has been a dream for many years."

"It is like getting married, we wanted to find a great match, one for life, and we have found it in West Indies Rum Distillery and the exceptional rum makers there. The team there is as passionate as we are and we can't wait to start producing delicious rum together."

With the acquisition of the West Indies Rum Distillery, Ferrand will also have access to Jamaican rum as West Indies Rum Distillery is one third owner of National Jamaican Rum Company along with Monymusk Distillery and the Long Pond Distillery. Jamaica is the second source of rum for Plantation.

Gabriel added: "We control the production of our Ferrand Cognac and Citadelle Gin because we own the facilities in Cognac. We love challenging ourselves to make the best there is and it requires total commitment.

“We wanted the same holistic involvement for our plantation rum, so this investment is the natural course of things for us. We are both excited and humbled by what lies ahead.

“When signing the purchase of this historical distillery, my thoughts went to Laurie Barnard and Thierry Gardere, two rum icons and friends that we have lost all too soon. They were great inspirations to me."