DESPITE extensive roof damage across nearly all buildings at Hampden Estate rum distillery in Trelawny, Andrew Hussey, chief executive officer of Everglades Farms Limited, operator of the distillery, is optimistic that rum production will restart in another three weeks.

“The damage was moderate to severe in general, affecting the roof structure mainly
— all the buildings at the distillery. I would say 80 per cent of the roofs were damaged and we currently have contractors effecting repairs,” Hussey told the Jamaica Observer.

He said assessments are still ongoing to determine the cost associated with the damage.

Although the distillery suffered significant roof damage, Hussey pointed out that the critical infrastructure for rum remains intact.

“The fermentation hall is fine, the pot stills are okay, the molasses storage is fine, the boiler is fine and the powerhouse is okay. But all those areas require new roofing, so that’s what we’re focusing on. We believe in another two to three weeks we should be in a position that we can restart. The roofs won’t be 100 per cent ready, but the critical areas will be finished, which are the powerhouse, the boiler and the pot still area will be sufficiently covered to restart,” said Hussey.

“The entire infrastructure is intact, no rum was lost — aged rum in the warehouses. That big warehouse you see there that was built three years ago, it is almost spotless, untouched. There’s no damage to that facility. There are two of them, similar size right there. The air vent at the top, there’s a little wrinkle, but the building is intact,” Hussey continued.

When the Observer visited the distillery on Thursday, workmen were busy repairing the roof of a section of Hampden Great House and clearing fallen trees on the property in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

“It impacted the trees very badly. Fortunately the palm trees are mostly okay, as you can see coming in. The bigger, older trees are fine, just that they’re devoid of leaves, which will come back in another six months or a year. It’s an opportunity to prune extensively and we will do a little refreshing while we’re rebuilding to make it come back even nicer than before,” Hussey said.

He shared that most of the Hampden workers living in the communities surrounding the distillery were severely affected by the hurricane. The company has since started raising funds to assist staff to rebuild.

“Nearly all of our staff, 120 approximately, that live around the distillery in the communities have been affected badly. We have collected donations for them within our group, the distribution was made yesterday (Wednesday). I have also personally done a funding website on American Friends of Jamaica.

“We collected over US$12,000 today, particularly for the staff housing, Hampden United Church and Tompkins Basic School, which is very close to our facility here. The target is US$450,000; that’s where we are. We are reaching out to all our international partners that sell the branded rum in particular and bulk rum and they are coming on board, they have some very good initiatives to raise funds and it will reach all channels through the same American Friends of Jamaica donations,” said an optimistic Hussey.

In terms of rum tours, Hussey noted that it will take longer for visitor activities to return to normal.

“I think it will take longer for the tour persons who want to come in and do a tour. We have a lot more cleaning up for the tour, but generally speaking tour guests are very understanding that we have just experienced a hurricane. This is a very historic old distillery and that is what we really appreciate about this location. It is Hampden, we are not expecting to see a glass building, modern, it has always been a very old look,” said Hussey.

WATCH:

Downed trees at Hampden Estate in Trelawny

It will take some time before people can return for the famous Hampden rum tour.