Old St. Croix (Riise) Non Plus Ultra La Galante

Profile: An Overview of Old St. Croix (Riise) Non Plus Ultra La Galante

• A carefully curated blend of premium rums from the Caribbean and Central America
• Named after the "Santa Maria La Galante"—a ship from Columbus’ voyages of discovery
• A tribute to A.H. Riise and the rich, storied history of St. Croix
• Limited to a maximum of 2,000 individually numbered bottles per release—truly exclusive
• Presented in an elegant, faceted decanter—a striking addition to any home bar
• Allergen information: may contain traces of walnuts

Portrait: What makes the Old St. Croix (Riise) Non Plus Ultra La Galante special

Great discoveries rarely begin on one’s own sofa—but they very often start with a good story.... The Old St. Croix Non Plus Ultra La Galante brings with it a whole wealth of elements: Caribbean history, maritime adventures, and a name that sounds as if it were plucked straight from an old seafaring novel.

“Non Plus Ultra” is a Latin phrase meaning “nothing further” or “no further beyond.” According to legend, this term once marked the boundary of the known world—at the Pillars of Hercules near the Strait of Gibraltar. Beyond that lay the unknown. For ancient mariners, this was a reason for caution; for curious explorers, it was likely all the more reason to set sail.

It is precisely this spirit of exploration that the Ultra Premium Collection from Old St. Croix celebrates. The brand draws upon the legacy of A.H. Riise—Albert Heinrich Riise, a Danish pharmacist and merchant who lived and worked on the Caribbean island of St. Thomas during the 19th century. Through his pharmacy, his trading ventures, and his life in the tropical islands, he laid the foundation for a brand history that remains deeply intertwined with the Caribbean to this day.

The name “La Galante” also points toward the sea. It commemorates the Santa Maria La Galante—the ship that, according to tradition, carried Christopher Columbus to St. Croix and the West Indies. Whether Columbus suspected at the time that the name of his vessel would, centuries later, become a conversation piece on bottle labels is, unfortunately, not recorded.

This blend is crafted using carefully selected base rums from renowned distilleries across the Caribbean and Central America. A key element of this unique bottling is its maturation in oak casks that previously held dessert or fortified wines.

Visually, too, La Galante is anything but modest: an elegant, faceted decanter houses one of no more than 2,000 individually numbered bottles per release. This makes it a striking addition to any home bar—and a gift so impressive that it hardly needs a decorative bow.

La Galante: for those who appreciate the undiscovered and know that great adventures can sometimes begin right there on the shelf.

Tasting Notes: This is how the Old St. Croix (Riise) Non Plus Ultra La Galante tastes like

• Nose: An inviting bouquet of caramel, crème brûlée, and vanilla, complemented by refined mahogany notes and the distinctive scent of the West Indian bay rum tree.
• Palate: Complex, full-bodied, and pleasantly mellow with a hint of spice. Creamy vanilla blends with fresh touches of orange and lemon. Subtle woody notes from high-quality oak casks lend the blend added depth and structure.
• Finish: Rich and creamy, echoing the previously revealed notes of vanilla, caramel, and fine wood. These impressions fade slowly and harmoniously, leading into a long, elegant aftertaste.