John Watling’s Distillery Co-Founder:
“The Future of Tourism Is Partnerships, Not Competition”
NASSAU, The Bahamas – 1st October 2025 — In today’s tourism industry, success is no longer measured by rivalry but by the strength of collaboration. That philosophy drives John Watling’s Distillery, and the transformation that has turned the historic Buena Vista Estate into one of Nassau’s most celebrated cultural landmarks.
“Through collaboration, you can expand your reach,” says Pepin Argamasilla, a marketing executive and one of the partner’s whose shared vision has established John Watling’s as a cornerstone of Bahamian hospitality. “We looked around and saw companies trying to outsell each other and keep visitors to themselves. And it dawned on us: the number one advertising you can’t buy is word of mouth. So instead of competing, what if we partnered—what if we became part of what other experts in the industry were already doing?”
That approach has guided the distillery since the new founders purchased the long-abandoned 1789 Buena Vista Estate. Once neglected, the property now flourishes as a living landmark: home to a working distillery, tavern, the We B Learnin’ Rum Academy, and a lively gathering place. Visitors can bottle their own rum, take part in immersive tastings, try their hand at mixing cocktails, or simply relax with drinks from the tavern, coffee from Louis & Steen’s New Orleans Coffeehouse, or Bahamian-inspired dishes from Vell Monkey Foot Eatery.
Partnerships have been central to this renaissance from the very beginning. Early collaborations with Bahamas Experience, Leisure Travel and Majestic Tours laid the foundation. Today, more than 75 tour operators bring visitors to John Watling’s—including Islandz Tours, Pirate Jeep Tours, Snappa Tours and Cheryl’s Taxi and Tour Service, amongst others—cementing the distillery’s role as a hub of Nassau’s visitor economy.
Over the years, John Watling’s has cultivated alliances with some of The Bahamas’ most respected businesses. At the Rum Academy, guests enjoy chocolates from Graycliff Chocolatier paired with John Watling’s 10-Year-Old Bullion rum, awarded a Gold Medal at Monde Selection in Brussels in 2024. Signature cocktails such as the Skylarkin’ and Cascarilla Sunrise highlight Bahamian creativity, combining John Watling’s Amber rum with RICARDO Coconut rum by Commonwealth Brewery and John Watling’s Pale rum with AMARO by Bahamas Botanicals.
Among its most significant achievements is the creation of JOHN WATLING’S Paradise rum, developed in partnership with Atlantis Paradise Island. Originally launched as Atlantis’ signature rum in its Pineapple Passion cocktail, served in a copper pineapple, it quickly became a best-selling rum throughout The Bahamas and is now exported to the United States. Crafted from a blend of 4- and 6-year-old rums aged in ex-Bourbon barrels before being finished for six months in Oloroso sherry casks, Paradise rum delivers a smooth, complex flavour that reflects both the luxury and authenticity of The Bahamas—perfectly complemented by a Graycliff Cigar.
“The days of outcompeting are over if you want to continue to grow,” Argamasilla explains. “Let’s show visitors how to truly enjoy The Bahamas. How dull would it be for a tourist to come to Nassau and only experience one venue? With over nine million visitors each year, there are plenty of guests to share—and so much more for them to discover.”
That spirit of partnership extends into cultural preservation. After witnessing damage to historic cannons at the Water Battery on West Bay Street, John Watling’s joined forces with the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation (AMMC) to restore the site, with completion expected by American Thanksgiving. From 15th October, AMMC will also provide the West Indian Guard for ceremonial cannon firings daily at noon at the Buena Vista Estate. Each day, one guest will pull the trigger—an unforgettable “bragging rights” experience blending history, entertainment and national pride.
Collaboration stretches beyond the islands too. In the United States, John Watling’s has offered its products at Total Wine & More across 15 states—including Florida, New York, Texas and California, amongst others—bringing The Rum of The Bahamas to American consumers.
On the cruise front, the distillery recently partnered with Royal Caribbean International for the prestigious President’s Cruise 2025, which docked in Nassau on 23rd September. For the occasion, John Watling’s Distillery created a pop-up version of its Rum Academy inside the Nassau Cruise Port’s Art Gallery. Guests bottled their own rum—sealing it with molten wax and custom labels—and enjoyed guided tastings that showcased Bahamian rum-making heritage.
“We welcome hundreds of thousands of cruise, stopover and local guests, to the Buena Vista Estate every year,” says Argamasilla. “But this was a unique chance to bring the Rum Academy to them, right at the port. It showed the power of partnership, how collaboration amplifies reach, and what The Bahamas can offer.”
The network of partnerships continues to grow. “Up here on the hill,” Argamasilla adds, “we collaborate with the Graycliff Group of Companies, The National Art Gallery, Educulture Junkanoo Museum, Tasty Teas, the D’Aguilar Art Gallery, artist Antonius Roberts, and nearby churches and historic sites—helping to continue to restore and position our neighbourhood as the cultural heart of The Bahamas.”
For John Watling’s, the mission extends far beyond the distilling and ageing of fine rums. Its vision is to champion The Bahamas as a destination defined by history, culture and hospitality. As Argamasilla reflects: “At the end of the day, we all have one product—and that product is The Bahamas. The more goodwill we extend, the more goodwill comes back. Partnerships make the pie bigger for everyone. And for those who wish to join us, you know where to find us—but every partnership must be built on mutual respect and benefit.”
Located at the historic 1789 Buena Vista Estate on Delancy Street in Downtown Nassau, John Watling’s Distillery offers small-batch handcrafted rums, guided tours, tastings and cultural experiences at its We B Learnin’ Rum Academy seven days a week (excluding national holidays), from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Learn more at www.johnwatlings.com.
Passengers from Royal Caribbean’s President’s Cruise enjoy John Watling’s Distillery ‘pop up’ rum tasting and bottle your own rum experiences at the Nassau Cruise Port, Gallery & Wine Bar.
Photos: Focus Cay Photography
