The Story Behind Old St. Croix
From Apothecary Craft to Iconic Rum

Old St. Croix is not just the name of a rum. It’s a living chapter in both Danish and Caribbean history – and it all begins with Albert Heinrich Riise, a visionary pharmacist from Ærøskøbing. Born in 1810 and holding a pharmaceutical degree from Copenhagen, Riise worked at the Royal Military and Orphanage Pharmacy. But his real adventure began in 1838 when he traveled to St. Thomas in the Danish West Indies. There, he founded the St. Thomas Apothecary Hall A.H. Riise, where he sold medicine – but soon also everything from chocolate and cosmetics to household goods and exotic specialties across the Caribbean.

A.H. Riise – The Pioneer Who Created a Rum Empire
With his knowledge of botany and distillation, Riise began developing rum and bitters – initially as medicinal elixirs for stomach ailments. But the taste was so appealing that the bottles soon found their way to dinner tables and bars far beyond the island’s shores. He created legendary products such as Riise’s Guava Rum, A.H. Riise Rum – and Old St. Croix. His success grew rapidly. Riise became one of the island’s most influential men: chairman of the Colonial Council, bank director, churchwarden, knight of the Order of the Dannebrog, and later appointed State Councillor – among other honors for donating $6,000 toward building schools on the island.

The Legacy Lives On – In the Bottles and in the Name
After his retirement, Riise moved to Frederiksberg, where he built the magnificent “Villa St. Thomas” – a tropical oasis in the heart of Copenhagen. He died in 1882, but his legacy lived on: his sons Valdemar and Karl took over the pharmacy, and even after a fire and a series of ownership changes in the early 1900s, both the name and spirit of A.H. Riise survived.

Today, you can still visit the A.H. Riise Mall at Main Street 37 in Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas, where rum and bitters under the A.H. Riise name are still being produced and sold – and where the name Old St. Croix is now revived as a tribute to that legacy and quality.
Old St. Croix is far more than just a rum. It is a story of courage, innovation, and Caribbean joy – distilled into every single drop.