As a former high commissioner for Barbados to the United Kingdom, I need to address the assertion in your article that “rum as we know it was invented in Cuba in 1862” (Over a barrel: lack of sugar throws Cuba’s rum industry into crisis, 30 May). There are many things I commend Cuba for: its public health system and medical technologies, a strong sports culture, cigars and an overall resilience and innovativeness, as exemplified in the vintage American cars that cruise the streets of Havana.
However, while Cuba, along with Barbados, Guatemala, Guyana and Haiti are the few countries where I imbibe “Nelson’s blood” due to a discerning palate, Barbados singularly deserves credit as the birthplace of rum. This tiny, most-easterly
