As a lot as another spirit, it’s secure to say there’s a mode of rum for everybody. Nations throughout the globe have made it for hundreds of years, with areas and producers providing totally different interpretations by way of distinct base elements — contemporary cane juice, cane syrup, and molasses — in addition to assorted fermentation and distillation methods.
Expressions arrive unaged and uncut; matured however with colour later stripped away; or following a long time in casks outdated and new. Some bottles are particularly produced for cocktails; others, owing to the value tags that accompany them, demand to be sipped, whether or not neat, on the rocks, or proofed right down to the drinker’s desire. Then there are flavored or spiced releases, which accounted for over 50 % of the rum offered within the U.S. in 2023.
With all due respect to the fictional sailors that sometimes adorn such bottles, we didn’t think about flavored alternatives for our annual roundup of the very best rums to drink proper now. However we did dive deep into the varied vary of examples listed prior, tasting greater than 120 bottles from over 20 nations throughout the globe.
These samples had been despatched to VinePair (freed from cost) by producers, importers, distributors, and PR corporations. We tasted every one non-blind as a result of we acknowledge that worth performs one of the crucial vital roles if you’re buying on the liquor retailer or on-line, and will subsequently be thought-about when evaluating a product.
The ultimate record doesn’t symbolize the 30 highest-scoring rums from the tasting, and as a substitute goals to showcase the very best choices at each worth level and throughout each interpretation of the class. We’re assured that the ultimate choice presents a stable possibility for each event, price range, and palate. In any case, there’s a mode of rum for everybody.
The Finest Rums Underneath $50
9north Carta Blanca 4 12 months White Rum
This Panamanian rum is aged for 4 years in second-fill bourbon casks and bottled after charcoal filtration (stripping it of colour) however with out chill filtration. Its profile is classically molasses- and vanilla-forward, with some hints of tropical fruit. The model recommends it as each a sipping and cocktail rum, however we’d stick with the latter, particularly having fun with it in a Daiquiri or Mojito.
Common worth: $30
Ranking: 89
Uruapan Single Property Blended Charanda
Produced by the Pacheco household in Uruapan, Michoacán, this Mexican rum employs a base of fifty % contemporary pressed sugar cane and 50 % molasses. Profile-wise, it’s onerous to pin it right down to a standard type of rum, although it leans nearer to cane juice distillates than molasses-based rums. The nostril is corny, ever so barely grassy, and options muted raisin notes, intriguingly. The palate is equally singular, with an fulfilling peppery-spiced end.
Common worth: $31
Ranking: 92
Saint Benevolence Rum Clairin
The standard spirit of Haiti, Clairin is revered by liquor fans for its minimal-intervention practices, which finally search to seize a way of place and permit base elements and manufacturing methods to shine. This grassy, minerally providing, which additionally showcases under-ripe tropical fruit notes, features a area mix of 5 cane varieties; was fermented for as much as 10 days utilizing wild yeast; and was distilled in copper pots earlier than bottling at 100 proof.
Common worth: $33
Ranking: 92
Ten to One Caribbean White Rum
A rigorously crafted mix, this Caribbean white rum is a celebration of column-still Dominican distillate and pot-still Jamaican rum. It begins off barely funky and esoteric, whereas the extra approachable aromas and flavors from the Dominican part comply with, rounding issues out and offering beneficiant richness to the palate. It is a versatile all-rounder on your bar cart and cocktail hour.
Common worth: $33
Ranking: 91
Copalli Natural White Rum
Born and made within the coronary heart of the jungle in southern Belize, Copalli’s Natural White Rum consists of solely three elements: freshly squeezed juice from regionally grown cane, rainwater, and yeast. Contemporary and minerally in character, the nostril flits between earthy and vegetal notes — an expertise that’s mirrored on the approachable 42 % ABV palate.
Common worth: $35
Ranking: 92
Myers’s Reserve Darkish Rum
From one of many higher recognized names in Jamaican rum, this “Reserve” expression is available in at round $5 greater than the model’s extra well-known “Authentic Darkish,” and people additional {dollars} are nicely spent, dialing up the flagship’s funky but clear and fruity profile and bringing an extra 3 % ABV to the equation. Whereas it drinks just a little hotter than its 86 proof, that may solely assist it shine in cocktails.
Common worth: $35
Ranking: 90
Transcontinental Rum Line Excessive Seas
Because the saying goes, “what one rum can’t do, three rums can.” Positive, you may craft your individual blends, however why trouble when the effective people behind Transcontinental Rum have executed it for you with this glorious mixture of Panamanian, Jamaican, and Martinique distillates? Expressive and brimming with character, its savory, vegetal, barely candy profile presents a stable basis for world-class cocktails.
Common worth: $35
Ranking: 92
Probitas Blended White Rum
One other occasion of a producer doing the heavy lifting for you, this blended white rum is a noteworthy collaboration between two of the Caribbean’s most esteemed distilleries: Barbados’s Foursquare and Jamaica’s Hampden Property. The nostril and palate ship a pleasant interaction of Jamaican funk and fruity sweetness, all harmoniously balanced for distinctive sipping and mixing experiences.
Common worth: $35
Ranking: 93
Worthy Park Property Overproof Jamaican Rum
Uncommon for a Jamaican white rum, this overproof mix was crafted from a mixture of molasses and cane juice distillates. Bottled at 63 % ABV, it may appear intimidating for an unaged spirit however relaxation assured the alcohol folds seamlessly into the nostril and any warmth on the palate solely serves to tame a few of its rowdier grassy vegetal notes. This spirit calls to be sipped slowly or floated atop a frozen Mai Tai.
Common worth: $35
Ranking: 92
Diplomático Rum Reserva Exclusiva
An aged rum from Venezuela, Diplomático opens with a medley of stone fruits cooked with Demerara sugar and vanilla, and follows with delicate licorice aromas. The palate leans just a little extra savory, with extra oak notes. Whereas a pair additional proof factors on its 40 % ABV bottling energy would little question assist dial up the definition, it’s onerous to argue in opposition to this rum’s crowd-pleasing potential.
Common worth: $40
Ranking: 89
Outdated Line Spirits Case 1 Rum Whiskey Cask End
After seven years ageing in ex-bourbon barrels within the Caribbean, this 50-percent-ABV rum matures for an additional three years in Outdated Line American Single Malt casks in Baltimore. Considerably akin to outdated wine or Cognac, that ageing interval comes throughout in “tertiary” notes (to make use of technical tasting parlance) of cedar and cigar field, which is a pleasant addition to its toasted, vanilla-forward, caramel-rich core.
Common worth: $40
Ranking: 93
El Dorado 12 12 months Outdated Rum
Crafted in a trio of historic stills, this molasses-based Guyanese rum ages for at least 12 years in former whisky casks earlier than mixing and bottling. The nostril delivers an fulfilling array of vibrant fruit aromas, which shift to a extra concentrated, dried type on the palate. With beneficiant physique and attractive spice, this bottle begs to be combined in Rum Outdated Fashioneds.
Common worth: $42
Ranking: 92
Holmes Cay Single Origin Réunion Island Agricole Rum
Umami, umami, umami! This agricole from the Indian Ocean island of Réunion is kind of not like another expression tasted for this roundup. Produced on the Distillerie de Savanna and bottled in New York, it extra carefully remembers significantly advanced mezcal (sans smoke) than rum. Olive, mushroom, and soy sauce scents transition to tropical fruit on the nostril, with hints of untamed flowers. The palate leans again to rum, arriving with searing depth and shutting with a end that appears to final endlessly.
Common worth: $43
Ranking: 94
Rhum J.M. Terroir Volcanique
Stone fruits and keenness fruit pulp set an invigorating early impression from this launch, produced by the primary recorded distillery to make rhum agricole in Martinique. Maturation in double-charred oak barrels provides a brûléed fruit character, in addition to richness, depth, and vanilla sweetness. Nowhere close to as grassy as typical agricole, take this for a spin in a Ti’ Punch.
Common worth: $43
Ranking: 93
Ron Zacapa No. 23
Most related to the fortified wines of the Sherry Triangle and extra just lately adopted by smaller, area of interest producers, Zacapa has lengthy utilized the solera methodology of maturation, which on this case takes place at one in every of, if not the world’s highest-altitude ageing facility. That course of results in a rum with engaging and approachable aromas — candy, pretty oaky, and with a pronounced mocha observe. It’s an identical story on the palate, and when contemplating worth and availability, it is a actually engaging proposition.
Common worth: $45
Ranking: 91
Renegade Cane Rum Pre-Cask Cuvée Aura
With a long time of expertise within the spirits business, Mark Reynier’s pretty current Renegade Rum venture focuses on terroir-driven expressions from the Caribbean island of Grenada. This “pre-cask” (learn: unaged) launch arrives with an expressive, intense nostril that’s mirrored on the palate. It by no means absolutely commits to fruity, savory, or funky notes, however dances round them in a approach that finally checks all containers. Whereas edging near the expensive facet for combined drinks, your cocktails will profit from this spirit. Don’t shrink back from sipping it neat or over a big rock with citrus, both.
Common worth: $49
Ranking: 92
The Finest Rums Underneath $100
The Spirit of Haiti Clairin Vaval
Bottled at a exact 53.5 % ABV, this Clairin is produced by Distillerie Arawaks, owned and operated by Fritz Vaval, whose household has been within the farm distillery enterprise for near 80 years. Fermented utilizing ambient yeasts and distilled on a proprietary nonetheless, the nostril of this spirit juxtaposes papaya and mango with salty umami aromas. The palate commits to extra fruity and vegetal notes, with an enjoyably abrasive end that speaks to the hands-on, conventional practices that led to its creation.
Common worth: $50
Ranking: 94
Privateer True American Bottled In Bond Rum
Magical issues are occurring within the rum realm up in Massachusetts, particularly on the premises of Ipswich-based Privateer Rum. Fusing American traditions with Caribbean-style spirits, this molasses-based bottled-in-bond launch may appear initially shy on the nostril, however that’s solely a mirrored image of its refined, nuanced character. The place aromas of molasses, mocha, and caramel arrive softly, they explode on the palate, touchdown with a wealthy, borderline syrupy mouthfeel. Superb for bourbon drinkers, it is a bona fide sipper.
Common worth: $50
Ranking: 93
R.L. Seale’s 12 12 months Aged Barbados Rum
For a quintessential instance of aged Barbados rum, flip to R.L. Seale’s 12 12 months. Crafted on the famend Foursquare distillery, it arrives at an simply sippable 46 % ABV and packaged in an immediately recognizable bottle. R.L. Seale’s delivers a fascinating profile of wealthy molasses and warming baking spices, and culminates in a pleasant, toasty end. With equal components stability and complexity, this expression is a standout on each entrance.
Common worth: $54
Ranking: 94
Papalin 7 Years Outdated
A mix of two Jamaican pot nonetheless rums, this launch options spirits distilled and aged at Worthy Park and Hampden Property. The nostril reveals basic Jamaican funk alongside hints of underripe stone fruit and grassy notes. The palate shifts to savory, umami character, with a Band-Support observe rising on the end that evokes a contact of peated Scotch. A posh rum that makes for an amazing sipping expertise with or with out ice, at 46 % ABV, most drinkers received’t discover the change in temperature and dilution mandatory, however it actually isn’t unwelcome on a heat summer season’s day.
Common worth: $58
Ranking: 94
Rhum Barbancourt Property Reserve 15 12 months Outdated
This rhum agricole hails from one in every of Haiti’s oldest distilleries and undergoes ageing in three various kinds of oak cask. A 15-year-old cane juice distillate, it showcases solely the subtlest hints of inexperienced, grassy character, as a substitute permitting candy honeycomb notes to take middle stage. Bottled at a comparatively modest 86 proof, the end hangs round for a sizzling minute, bringing textural tannins into play.
Common worth: $60
Ranking: 91
Black Tot Aged Caribbean Rum
An expertly crafted mix of Barbados, Guyana, and Jamaican rums, this expression presents distinctive stability and memorable nuance. The nostril opens with funky, earthy notes, resulting in a savory, spicy, and peppery palate. Whereas it greater than delivers on the sipping entrance, don’t hesitate to make use of it in cocktails — its vibrant character will shine via, particularly in spirit-forward, stirred creations.
Common worth: $65
Ranking: 93
Thrasher’s Rum Queen’s Share
Licorice meets espresso on the nostril of this sourced rum from Washington D.C.-based Thrasher’s, with dried apricots and molasses following quickly thereafter. The depth and complexity solely intensifies on the palate, with espresso taking a again seat permitting the total potential of the equal components molasses and Demerara sugar distillate to shine.
Common worth: $68
Ranking: 93
Beenleigh Artisan Distillers 2013 Single Blended Rum
Beenleigh, Australia’s oldest working distillery, was based in 1884 within the sugar cane-rich northeastern state of Queensland. These 140 or so years of expertise have translated to a fruity and energetic spirit right here, with oak and vanilla aromas elevating the curtain, adopted by extra pronounced notes of tropical fruit and melon. At 10 years outdated, the palate is equally energetic, with ginger syrup and pomegranate molasses main the cost. That is a sublime however easygoing sipper.
Common worth: $80
Ranking: 94
Hampden Property HLCF Traditional
A flagship expression from one in every of Jamaica’s most famous producers, HLCF is shorthand for “Hampden Gentle Continental Flavoured.” Manufacturing options ambient yeasts, prolonged fermentation durations, 100% pot nonetheless distillation, and 4 years ageing in tropical climates, which the model notes is “equal” to 11 years in Europe. What does that translate to? Loads of funk on the nostril with added aromas of papaya, tart/savory tropical fruits, and molasses. A classically Jamaican profile on the palate, this rum actually sips above its modest age assertion.
Common worth: $89
Ranking: 93
The Finest Rums Over $100
Rolling Fork Single Cask 12 12 months Outdated Rum Distilled in Jamaica
Primarily based out of Borden, Ind., unbiased bottler Rolling Fork Spirits sourced this 12-year-old pot nonetheless rum from Jamaica’s Clarendon distillery. Not as earthy and funky as you’d anticipate, the fragrant profile is fruity and floral, and the affect of oak appears to have died down over time, with only a whiff of vanilla remaining. It’s inconceivable to disregard the searing 66.8 % ABV on the palate, however that does permit you to proof it right down to your desire and enjoyment of its depth of taste.
Common worth: $100
Ranking: 94
Isautier Conventional Rum 16 12 months
One other stellar inclusion from the small island of Réunion, this rum was put into barrel in Could 2006 and bottled in September 2022. Its producer, seven-generation family-run Maison Isautier, unusually makes each cane-juice- and molasses-based rums. This launch falls into the latter camp, arriving at 57 % ABV — not that you simply’d guess that from the nostril or palate, although. As an alternative, aromas of dried stone fruits, vanilla, and used oak shine via, whereas the flavour profile leans mineral-rich, with accents of roasted espresso, dried licorice, and Dmerara syrup.
Common worth: $130
Ranking: 94
Appleton Property 21 12 months Outdated Nassau Valley Casks
Regardless of maturing in climates that always speed up the affect of oak and time, rum typically presents significantly better worth than bourbon, Scotch, or rye if lofty age statements are your factor. This 21-year expression from Jamaica’s lauded Appleton Property presents ample proof, and can be only a nice all-rounder, interval. Bottled at 43 % ABV, it serves simply sufficient depth and depth but additionally received’t intimidate drinkers who don’t often sip neat spirits. The profile runs the gamut of candy and dry, fruity and savory, and doesn’t maintain again on the end. All of which brings us again to that worth/age assertion ratio: At $150, that is one thing of a steal, albeit an costly one.
Common worth: $150
Ranking: 96
Foursquare Rum Distillery Distinctive Cask Collection “Equipoise”
This twice-aged rum was produced in each pot and column stills and spent 10 years in ex-bourbon barrels earlier than an extra 4 years in Cognac casks. The affect of the previous brandy barrels is profound, and never one thing you often encounter on this class, with cigar field, damp moss, and potpourri slowly giving approach to aromas of dried apricots and orange peel. Honey and toffee notes on the palate nudge the profile to a barely sweeter spot, whereas the 60 % ABV bottling energy ensures the end lasts an age. Distinctive casks certainly!
Common worth: $151
Ranking: 95
La Maison & Velier Flag Collection 24 12 months Outdated Guyana Rum 1998
La Maison & Velier’s “Flag Collection” goals to showcase exceptional bottles from areas the place prolonged ageing durations are an possibility. Guyana rum aged for nearly a quarter-century positively matches that invoice, and on this case, the prolonged maturation was solely attainable as a result of the initially bourbon-barrel-aged spirit was transferred at 2 years outdated from its tropical dwelling to Europe, the place it was then transferred to Port casks. The profile of the ultimate spirit is understandably dense and concentrated and we discovered that it benefitted from a couple of minutes to completely open up. At which level, a shocking array of tropical fruit (significantly pineapple husk), oaky sweetness (vanilla), and purple berry compote emerge. The palate follows with cacao, salted caramel, and zesty citrus notes, as if to remind us that this effective sipping rum remains to be remarkably lively and vitality.
Common worth: $300
Ranking: 95
FAQ
What’s the smoothest rum?
Some manufacturers of rum are higher suited to sipping and having fun with neat or on the rocks. These are typically smoother expressions of the spirit. Examples and explicit expressions from this record embody Diplomático Rum Reserva Exclusiva, Black Tot Aged Caribbean Rum, and El Dorado 12 12 months Outdated Rum.
Is rum stronger than vodka?
Most vodkas clock in round 40 % ABV whereas most of the varieties of rum manufacturers that seem on this record are available greater — Rivers Royal Grenadian Rum, for instance, arrives at over 60 % ABV.
Which rum is finest with Coke?
Relying in your style preferences — do you want spiced rum? Darkish rum? White rum? — most rums will pair nicely with Coke. Amongst all of the rum names on the market, search for mass-market expressions priced for cocktails (suppose $40 and beneath) that received’t get misplaced within the taste of the Coca-Cola. Myers’s Reserve Darkish Rum is an efficient place to begin.
VinePair’s Tasting Methodology
All year long, VinePair conducts quite a few tastings for our standard Purchase This Booze column, and wine and spirits critiques. Our mission is to offer a transparent, dependable supply of data for drinkers, offering an outline relevant to day-to-day shopping for and consuming.
Tastings aren’t sometimes performed blind. In alignment with our critiques mission, we consider in purposefully tasting all merchandise as our readers sometimes would, with full information of the producer, the area, and — importantly — the value.
For Purchase This Booze roundups, we sometimes embody a most of 1 expression per model, although we do enable a number of merchandise from the identical manufacturing facility (i.e., launched beneath totally different labels).
For this rum roundup, we thought-about numerous various factors earlier than finalizing the record. Our total purpose was to offer an entire overview of the myriad types and origins of rum that outline the class. Which means entry degree, “approachable” bottles characteristic alongside limited-edition releases that spirits geeks go to nice lengths to hunt out. We’re assured that each single bottle that made this last rating delivers applicable ranges of taste, stability, depth, and complexity for every of their respective worth factors.
