–To celebrates Guyana’s heritage, global rise, PM Phillips says

PRIME Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has said that Guyana’s globally acclaimed El Dorado brand continues to showcase the country’s heritage and excellence to the world, as Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) launched a special limited-edition rum to commemorate Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary.
The Prime Minister made these remarks on Tuesday, while speaking at the launch ceremony held at DDL’s Demerara Rum Heritage Museum, during which he stated that the commemorative release symbolises Guyana’s journey over the past six decades and reflects the country’s resilience, culture and craftsmanship.

“I stand here with you, and I am calling this rum ‘liquid independence’,” the Prime Minister adding that the limited-edition release captures the essence of Guyana’s journey over six decades, noting that it is infused with national pride and cultural identity.
“The story behind this rum is worth far more than any price tag, because it is not just rum. It is history, heritage and heart poured into a bottle to mark 60 years of Guyanese freedom, pride and progress,” he said.
As he drew a comparison to the country’s global identity, Phillips likened El Dorado to a symbol of international recognition.
“Wherever this rum goes in the world, it opens doors, commands respect, and reminds everyone that something small can be world-class,” the Prime Minister remarked.
Against this backdrop, he highlighted the importance of the rum and sugar industries to Guyana’s broader economic and cultural fabric, warning that changes in global demand and production trends continue to affect exports.
He noted that rum production is inseparable from sugar, stressing that any decline in sugar output has direct implications for molasses supply, jobs and foreign exchange earnings.
“You cannot have rum without molasses, and you cannot have molasses without sugar,” he said.
“So, when we talk about the future of sugar, we must also talk about the future of rum and the thousands of jobs that depend on it.”
With this, he further noted that more Guyanese should engage with and support Guyanese products, amid global market pressures, as such encouraging support of the domestic industries.
“Buy local and consume local. When you choose El Dorado, you are not just choosing a finer spirit, you are keeping a heritage industry alive,” he said.
Meanwhile, DDL Master Distiller Shaun Caleb outlined the historical significance behind the anniversary blend, describing it as a product rooted in Guyana’s six peoples and centuries of distilling tradition.
He explained that the special release is crafted from six distinct rum marks aged between 25 and 55 years, each carrying its own heritage and flavour profile drawn from historic estates across Guyana.
“This exclusive 60th anniversary rum symbolises our six peoples of Guyana with an exclusive blend of six marks of rum aged 25 to 55 years,” Caleb said.
Caleb told the gathering that the blend reflects both continuity and craftsmanship, bringing together centuries-old methods and rare aged stocks to produce what he described as a world-class expression of El Dorado.