The story of Demerara Distillers started in 1670 when every sugar estate had its own rum still, and a group of sugar cane producers formed an exporting co-operative. This early production of rum for sailors was the beginning of the company today. From over 300 sugar estates to one company! In the 17th and 18th centuries, there were in excess of 200 small distilleries operating in Guyana, each attached to the existing sugar plantations, each with its own special blend of rum. However, following the years of consolidation and amalgamation, there remains today just the one unrivalled distillery at Plantation Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara - wholly owned and operated by Demerara Distillers Limited. At Diamond, the standards and methods of this age-old industry have been maintained and the unique original heritage stills and equipment have been preserved in working order all operating in tandem with the most up to date production technology. Unrivalled bulk rum capacity. The distillery has the capacity to produce in excess of 26 M litres of pure alcohol annually, and is the largest supplier of bulk rums and alcohols from the Caribbean to brand owners in Europe and North America. The company's impressive list of clientele includes companies such as Diageo, Jim Beam Brands, Hiram Walker, Allied Distillers, and Corby's. The El Dorado brand - an unrivalled range. From the launch in 1992 by Demerara Distillers of their El Dorado range of Demerara Rums on the local and international market, the brand has gone from strength to strength, epitomising the unique quality of the true taste of Demerara. It was in that year that DDL became the first rum producer in the world to market a premium quality aged rum: El Dorado 15 Year Old Special Reserve. Since then this superb spirit has become the internationally recognised benchmark for aged rums and the company has gone on to develop an unrivalled portfolio of Age Statement Rums. Demerara Distillers is an internationally recognised producer of award-winning rums with a range of over 20 different varieties of premium, standard and speciality products, all with the distinctive Demerara stamp of quality and flavour. Green credentials. DDL also possesses its own CO2 plant, utilising the waste product from the distillery to produce piped liquified gas for their aerated beverage plant, as well as cylinder gas for industrial use and dry ice for the fishing and frozen food industries.