In 1998, a second bakery had to be built to
handle the growing success of Tortuga Rum
Cake. The Hamatys opened "Tortuga
Duty-Free Liquors & Bakery" in West Bay,
next door to the famed Turtle Farm.
handle the growing success of Tortuga Rum
Cake. The Hamatys opened "Tortuga
Duty-Free Liquors & Bakery" in West Bay,
next door to the famed Turtle Farm.
| History of Tortuga Rum Company Ltd. |
Founded in 1984, Tortuga Rum Company has grown to become the
largest duty-free liquor business in the Cayman Islands. Husband
and wife team Robert and Carlene Hamaty, started the company
while they were both employed by the islands national airline,
Cayman Airways. Robert was a captain (previously for Air Jamaica)
and Carlene was an in-flight supervisor. While piloting for Air
Jamaica, Robert noticed passengers boarding his plane carrying
Bermuda Rum. Realizing Bermuda did not have the resources to
distill their own rum, he investigated, only to discover that it was
actually made in Jamaica, and shipped to Bermuda to be bottled.
That was when he decided the Cayman Islands should have their
own rum too, and the idea of Tortuga Rum was culminated. They
started the company with two blended rums, Tortuga Gold and
Tortuga Light. Tortuga Rum is a combination of Jamaican Rum and
Barbados Rum specially blended for the Cayman Islands; therefore
it is like no other.
largest duty-free liquor business in the Cayman Islands. Husband
and wife team Robert and Carlene Hamaty, started the company
while they were both employed by the islands national airline,
Cayman Airways. Robert was a captain (previously for Air Jamaica)
and Carlene was an in-flight supervisor. While piloting for Air
Jamaica, Robert noticed passengers boarding his plane carrying
Bermuda Rum. Realizing Bermuda did not have the resources to
distill their own rum, he investigated, only to discover that it was
actually made in Jamaica, and shipped to Bermuda to be bottled.
That was when he decided the Cayman Islands should have their
own rum too, and the idea of Tortuga Rum was culminated. They
started the company with two blended rums, Tortuga Gold and
Tortuga Light. Tortuga Rum is a combination of Jamaican Rum and
Barbados Rum specially blended for the Cayman Islands; therefore
it is like no other.
The name, Tortuga, chosen by Robbie & Carlene, was derived from the original name given to
the Cayman Islands, Las Tortugas meaning "The Turtles". The Hamatys, having no marketing or
promotional experience at that time, overcame many obstacles and setbacks and pushed
forward, seeing the opportunity to sell local products duty-free to visitors of the island, by both air
and sea.
the Cayman Islands, Las Tortugas meaning "The Turtles". The Hamatys, having no marketing or
promotional experience at that time, overcame many obstacles and setbacks and pushed
forward, seeing the opportunity to sell local products duty-free to visitors of the island, by both air
and sea.
The first Tortuga Duty Free Liquor store was opened in 1987,
while the Hamatys were still employed by Cayman Airways. It
was a very small store located near the waterfront in
Georgetown. A company called Overton Traders was the
appointed distributor of the first Tortuga products in the
Cayman Islands
while the Hamatys were still employed by Cayman Airways. It
was a very small store located near the waterfront in
Georgetown. A company called Overton Traders was the
appointed distributor of the first Tortuga products in the
Cayman Islands
Shortly thereafter, Robbie and Carlene started their own
distributorship from a small warehouse on North Sound Rd.
Not long after, a second waterfront "Tortuga Duty Free
Liquors" store was opened.
distributorship from a small warehouse on North Sound Rd.
Not long after, a second waterfront "Tortuga Duty Free
Liquors" store was opened.
In 1990, Robert Hamaty's career as an Airline Captain unfortunately came to an end, due to
medical reasons. This was when he decided to give the company his undivided attention and
plunged full force into the marketing and promotion of Tortuga Rum Co.
medical reasons. This was when he decided to give the company his undivided attention and
plunged full force into the marketing and promotion of Tortuga Rum Co.
In 1991, the Hamaty's then opened a "Tortuga Duty
Free Liquors" store, next to the warehouse. This
became known as the tour bus stop. Here, cruise ship
passengers on island bus tours, were able to view
ancient artifacts, tropical birds, and sit in shaded
comfort under large patio umbrellas after shopping for
duty free liquor and souvenirs to take home.
Free Liquors" store, next to the warehouse. This
became known as the tour bus stop. Here, cruise ship
passengers on island bus tours, were able to view
ancient artifacts, tropical birds, and sit in shaded
comfort under large patio umbrellas after shopping for
duty free liquor and souvenirs to take home.
The Tortuga Rum Cake story officially began in 1987. It was
at this time that Carlene started baking rum cakes at home,
using a family recipe that had been handed down through
generations. She of course used Tortuga Rum as the main
ingredient. Encouraged by rave reviews she received while
baking the cakes for friends, Carlene Hamaty began testing
local demand. The Tortuga Rum Cake made its first "public"
appearance on the dessert menu of a local restaurant, and
was an instant hit. The demand for the rum cakes became
so great that in 1990 a 1,700 square-foot commercial
bakery was established
The trademark ingredient is a generous amount of premium
five-year old, oak barrel aged Tortuga Gold Rum, not
available to the public. Each cake is individually
hand-glazed with this rum before packaging. Our
vacuum-sealing process ensures a shelf life of six months
and will keep indefinitely if refrigerated or frozen.
at this time that Carlene started baking rum cakes at home,
using a family recipe that had been handed down through
generations. She of course used Tortuga Rum as the main
ingredient. Encouraged by rave reviews she received while
baking the cakes for friends, Carlene Hamaty began testing
local demand. The Tortuga Rum Cake made its first "public"
appearance on the dessert menu of a local restaurant, and
was an instant hit. The demand for the rum cakes became
so great that in 1990 a 1,700 square-foot commercial
bakery was established
The trademark ingredient is a generous amount of premium
five-year old, oak barrel aged Tortuga Gold Rum, not
available to the public. Each cake is individually
hand-glazed with this rum before packaging. Our
vacuum-sealing process ensures a shelf life of six months
and will keep indefinitely if refrigerated or frozen.
Today, Rum Cake Lane and Tortuga Rum Avenue
are the signposts leading to a 10,000 sq. ft.
headquarters and state of the art bakery, where
free sample trays of freshly baked rum cake
morsels tempt visitors while they observe Tortuga
Rum Cakes being baked, hand glazed with the 5
year old premium rum, then vacuum-sealed This
facility is able to produce between 5,000 and
6,000 Tortuga Rum Cakes each day in three sizes:
the 33-oz. large size, the 16-oz. medium size and
the 4-oz. mini. Following the golden original flavor,
decadent Tortuga Chocolate
are the signposts leading to a 10,000 sq. ft.
headquarters and state of the art bakery, where
free sample trays of freshly baked rum cake
morsels tempt visitors while they observe Tortuga
Rum Cakes being baked, hand glazed with the 5
year old premium rum, then vacuum-sealed This
facility is able to produce between 5,000 and
6,000 Tortuga Rum Cakes each day in three sizes:
the 33-oz. large size, the 16-oz. medium size and
the 4-oz. mini. Following the golden original flavor,
decadent Tortuga Chocolate
In 1997, Tortuga Imports/Tortuga Rum Cake Company
opened in Miami, Florida to handle worldwide
distribution, mail order and online sales. Headed by
the Hamatys' daughter, Monique and her husband,
Marcus Simmonds, the Florida office also opened the
Tortuga Rum Cake Company store in Key West in
June 2001.
Cake was introduced in February 1998 and quickly
matched popularity. Launched in June 1999, was the
Tortuga Blue Mountain Coffee Rum Cake. Equally
seductive! November 2000 brought us Tortuga
Banana Rum and Tortuga Coconut Rum flavors.
This location is also the perfect photo stop, with
ornate wrought iron gates opening onto
landscaped grounds decorated with antique
artifacts, and an aviary housing tropical birds
including Tortuga's pet macaw, "Captain Tortuga'.
Although Tortuga Rum Cake has become
world-famous, the recipe still remains a secret!
Many requests have been made over the years for
the recipe to the Authentic & Original Tortuga Rum
Cake, some as prestigious as Gourmet Magazine.
But all who inquire are politely declined, as this
secret recipe has never been disclosed to the
public.
ornate wrought iron gates opening onto
landscaped grounds decorated with antique
artifacts, and an aviary housing tropical birds
including Tortuga's pet macaw, "Captain Tortuga'.
Although Tortuga Rum Cake has become
world-famous, the recipe still remains a secret!
Many requests have been made over the years for
the recipe to the Authentic & Original Tortuga Rum
Cake, some as prestigious as Gourmet Magazine.
But all who inquire are politely declined, as this
secret recipe has never been disclosed to the
public.
Soon, the Hamatys realized that cruise ship passengers were interested in T-shirts and souvenirs,
so they added a Discount T-shirt shop connecting to the warehouse. Complete with duty-free
liquor and souvenir shopping, historical artifacts and exotic birds, the North Sound Road
warehouse area was now ready for tour buses and taxis.
Needless to say, Tortuga Rum Company is a constant "growing" concern. The worldwide
demand for Tortuga Rum Cake has become so great, that a third bakery had to be instituted. It is
located in the heart of George Town, just steps away from the cruise ship docking piers.
demand for Tortuga Rum Cake has become so great, that a third bakery had to be instituted. It is
located in the heart of George Town, just steps away from the cruise ship docking piers.
Decorated in bright colors resembling an old Caribbean cottage,and located
on the waterfront, it features a large veranda and gazebo out back where all visitors can sit and
relax with a cold drink and snacks, while gazing out at the beautiful turquoise Caribbean Sea.
Along with duty-free liquor and a large souvenir shop, large picture windows look directly into the
bakery, allowing all visitors the chance to see the World Famous Tortuga Rum Cake being baked
fresh daily. Free samples are available for everyone who visits.
on the waterfront, it features a large veranda and gazebo out back where all visitors can sit and
relax with a cold drink and snacks, while gazing out at the beautiful turquoise Caribbean Sea.
Along with duty-free liquor and a large souvenir shop, large picture windows look directly into the
bakery, allowing all visitors the chance to see the World Famous Tortuga Rum Cake being baked
fresh daily. Free samples are available for everyone who visits.