Selvarey Owners Reserve Rum
A-list association and more than a passing resemblance to an iconic tequila bottle risk detraction from this rums quality. Distilled in Panama by an icon of the rum world, and made up of a blend of 15-to-25-year-old distillates, this decadent sipping rum pushes the boundaries of luxury and suave, much like its co-owner, Bruno Mars. While unavoidably pricey, this is worth the splurge for special occasions. Average price: $150.
Angostura 1: Best Sweet Rum
Price: £33 | Buy now from Master of Malt
This golden-hued rum is a blend of white and dark sugar bases which have been aged for five years in sherry barrels. The result is a soft, light, sweet rum thats fabulously smooth and not too heavy, boasting notes of oak, cocoa and vanilla, and with a particularly pleasant long finish. Its a great sipping rum if youre looking for something on the delicate side, but be warned it can get overpowered by mixers or lost in cocktails: enjoy it neat or with ice.
Key specs Alcohol content: 40% Bottle size: 70cl Country of origin: Trinidad & Tobago
Price: £24 | Buy now from Master of Malt
This Victorian style dark spice rum, which comes in a fabulous traditional shaped bottle, is easy to mix or sip. If you want to mix it, try coke, ginger beer or in a mojito, espresso martini or over ice with a bit of apple juice. Named after a colossal squid, which according to legend, took down a rum ship in the 18th century, its very dark and rich with notes of caramel, nut and coffee, with a sweet vanilla undertone on the palate and a strong kick. Launched in the UK in 2010, its much smoother than many other rums at this price no rum burn with this one.
Key specs Alcohol content: 40% Bottle size: 70cl Country of origin: Caribbean
River Antoine Rum Distillerygrenada
River Antoine Rum Distillery in Grenada produces rum the same way it once did when it first opened in 1785. The privately owned distillery, the oldest functioning water-propelled distillery in the Caribbean, offers inexpensive tours where guests can sample the potent overproof rum, sold only in Grenada.Photo courtesy of Mark Rogers for USA TODAY
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From White To Dark Unaged To Matured These Rums Are To Be Savored On Their Own
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Whiskey is no longer the go-to sipping spirit these days. Rum has really come into its own, with aged and dark expressions, as well as unaged white and flavored, that are as complex and delicious as the most sophisticated bourbon or scotch. There are many different brands to choose from, each offering a unique take on the spirit based on geography, maturation method, and distillation.
Here are some of the best sipping rums available now, from budget to splurge-worthy, with some advice from experts in the bar industry.
History Of Tanduay Rum/rhum
They trace their origins back to the 1850s and rather unsurprisingly the Spanish during the colonial era., Over time they would morph into the Tanduay Distillery, Inc in 1935, during the American occupation of the country, concentrating mostly on their core product of rum.
Fast forward 80 odd years to now, and well Tanduay Rum is not only the national drink , but you can buy all different styles and vintages, as well as their own range of alco-pops known as Tanduay Ice . Their Ice drinks are an obsession of mine. For the longest time flavors consisted of white, red and blue although theyve since branched into non-colored flavours, such as cranberry, lemonade, and even a light version with less sugar. Again these guys get their very own section at the end.
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Topper’s Rhum Distillerysint Maarten
Visitors to this 6,000-square-foot facility in Sint Maarten gain insight into the history of rum-making while seeing the blending and bottling process firsthand. Visitors also get to sample new flavors in development, along with the full lineup of artisan rums, in the tasting bar. Those who’d like to take some Topper’s home can even bottle their own.
Mount Gay 1703 Master Select
With a deed dating back to 1703, Mount Gay is the oldest commercial rum distillery on the planet. To celebrate their three-hundred-plus years of heritage the Barbados operation created 1703 Old Cask Selection, a cherry-picked blend of the legendary distillerys finest single and double distilled rums from their oldest reserves.
Forty-four barrels were carefully monitored over the years, all resting between 10 and 30 years in their cellars, and then expertly blended for what is Mount Gays most expensive expression. The long sleep in oak barrels lends the 1703 Old Cask Selection an oaky nose with hints of caramel, and a superb round mouthfeel. $199.99
For over a quarter of a millennium Appleton Estate has been crafting premium rum from the verdant Nassau Valley in the heart of Jamaica. Its fertile soil, ideal climate and natural bubbling springs create a unique terroir for its plentiful sugar cane.
Presently the proud house is run by acclaimed Master Blender Joy Spence , who assures Appleton Estates expressions remain true to their heritage. This year Spence revives Appleton Estates 30 Year Old rum released in 2008 with a wholly new profile. Using barrels aged at least 30 years for this edition the 30 Year Old rum is slightly recalibrated with notes of vanilla, toasted oak, ginger and warm cinnamon.
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Is There A Worlds Best Rum
Taste is subjective. Not everyone agrees on the best tasting food, the best wine, the most delicious dessert.
Many styles of rum have evolved over the past four centuries. The methods for growing cane, producing molasses and cane syrup, fermenting the liquid, distilling, aging and blending rums vary greatly in the regions of the world.
So what factors should decide the worlds best rum? Price, quality, value, rarity, acclamation?
To many rum experts, the question of the best rum in the world comes down to the perception of value. We asked some of the worlds leading rum experts to guide us toward the answer to the age-old-question: What is the best rum in the world?
Best Under $: The Real Mccoy 5 Year Old
Courtesy of Reserve Bar
- ABV: 40%
- Tasting Notes: Caramel, Almond, Cinnamon
Anything from the Foursquare rum line is worth stockpiling, says Javelle Taft, bartender at Death & Co. in New York City. That includes this affordable bottle from The Real McCoy, which he calls a good option. There are some older expressions available as well but start with this flagship bottle aged in ex-bourbon barrels that is full of flavor.
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Don Q Gran Reserva Aejo Xo
From the small but mighty rum haven of Puerto Rico, this bottle blends spirits aged between nine and 12 years with liquor drawn from a 50-year-old solera system. Dried fruits and berry notes balance its heady luxury of sweet vanilla and toasted oak. Theres masterful blending on show here that makes for a fine sipping rum that over-delivers on price. Average price: $55.
Appleton Estate 15 Black River Casks
A recently introduced blend of column- and pot-still Jamaica rums, this release would comfortably go the distance in a matchup against similarly aged bourbons, Scotches, and Cognacs. With an enticing range of fruity, woody, and spiced notes that exceed the sum of its parts, this is a truly special sipping rum. Average price: $65.
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Foursquare Exceptional Cask Criterion
Richard Seales influence on the rum industry cant be overstated. He was an early and vocal guardian of rum, as he puts it, exposing the fact that age statements on bottles can often be wishful thinking, and that many of the most popular rums were frequently marred by the addition of sugar, glycerin, vanillin and countless other artificial colors and flavors. He also happened to make rumhe owns the Foursquare distillery in Barbadosthat was untainted by additives, aged entirely in the tropics and often bottled at cask strength. Seale wants rum to be treated with the same respect as whiskey, and in the last few years it seems like hes finally succeeded. With his Exceptional Cask Series, Seale embraced double cask maturation, in this case aging it for three years in ex-bourbon casks followed by seven years in very old Madeira casks. Bottled at 56 percent ABV, its quite sweet on first blush thanks to the Madeira cask, with raisin notes reminiscent of a sherry, but its beautifully balanced by the spice of the bourbon and the dryness of the oak. Foursquare has made enough great rums to have a top 21 list of its own, but this one gets the nod in part for historical significancelimited to 2,000 bottles worldwide, Criterion helped kick off a Foursquare mania in the States that has led some to call it the Pappy Van Winkle of rum.
Lyme Bay Winery Jack Ratt Lugger Rum: Best Spiced Rum
Price: £33 | Buy now from Master of Malt
Both sumptuously smooth and intriguingly spicy, this dark rum from Lyme Bay Winery is truly something special. The heady mix of nutmeg, orange peel, cloves and vanilla immediately hits you as you take a sip and makes it a fabulous tipple to enjoy neat or with a little ice. If you prefer a longer drink, the strong flavours of this rum also work well alongside cola or ginger beer, though we reckon it would suit a spicy cocktail too.
Luggers won a gold award at the 2019 International Spirits Challenge in the flavoured or spiced category, and once you try it, youll understand why. If youre a fan of slightly sweet, yet incredibly complex rums, this deserves a place in your drinks cabinet. Its like drinking Christmas, except its as enjoyable in the sun as it is on a cold night.
Key specs Alcohol content: 40% Bottle size: 70cl Country of origin: Caribbean
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Dos Maderas Seleccin Triple Aged Rum
The production process for this rum is complex and long-winded, encapsulating various base distillates, aging vessels, and maturation locations. Even without exploring the specifics, the harmonious nature of this rich, sherried rum is all the more remarkable. With oxidative notes, dried fruits, and tangy molasses, this is a complex but balanced sipper. Average price: $59.
Havana Club 3 Year Old Rum: Best White Rum
Price: £19 | Buy now from Master of Malt
Mojitos and Daiquiris dont get any better than this. Distilled from molasses and aged for three years in Cuba, this white rum is ultra-smooth and light, with hints of vanilla, smoked oak, almond, pears and banana.
Its by far the most popular rum in Havana city, and the largest brand of rum in Cuba, but its appeal is global: it was a gold-medal winner at the International Spirits Challenge 2018, and can be found behind decent bars worldwide. Without a trace of the harshness of many other white rums, it knocks the socks off the more bland, mass-produced likes of Bacardi.
Key specs Alcohol content: 40% Bottle size: 70cl Country of origin: Cuba
Price: £36 |
This one-of-a-kind rum mixes natural ripe banana with a hint of sweet caramel and spice, for a truly delicious tipple thats perfect over ice or in cocktails. Fairtrade rum from Panama is aged in oak, bourbon casks for two years, before being bottled at a whopping 57% ABV.
The end result packs a delightfully boozy punch, while still being delectably sweet and smooth. All in all, Its a great fruity addition to your drinks cabinet and a must-have for summer cocktails.
If one fruit rum isnt enough for you though, we also rate Rockstars overproofed Pineapple Grenade rum. Made with natural pineapple flavouring and a touch of salted caramel, its an equally delicious tipple for pineapple fans.
Key specs Alcohol content: 57% Bottle size: 50cl Country of origin: Panama
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What Is The Best Dark Rum In The World
The 18 Best Rums That Make the Case for Sipping
- Santa Teresa 1796 Rum. …
- Mount Gay Extra Old Rum. …
- Facundo Paraiso. …
- Appleton Estate 21 Year Jamaican Rum. …
- Parce Rum 12 Year Old Straight Colombian Rum. …
- XO Rum Solera Gran Reserva Especial. …
- Pusser’s British Navy Gunpowder Proof Rum. …
- El Dorado Port Mourant Single Still Rum. wine.com.
Best Overall: Appleton Estate 21
Courtesy of Reserve Bar
- ABV: 43%
- Tasting Notes: Banana, Brown Sugar, Ginger
Id go straight for the Appleton 21-year-old, says Alex Jump, bar manager at Death & Co. in Denver. This Jamaican rum is a premium expression in the distillerys lineup. Its copper pot distilled with lovely notes traditional to a Jamaican rum of banana and pineapple, she says, as well as notes of baking spice and ginger from the extended aging.
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Best Bottles Of Rum In The World
NEW YORK — From Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island to Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean, rum has been the favored drink of pirates for ages. Bottles of rum have inspired countless sea shanties and beachside freak outs.
Rum is made from sugarcane juice or molasses, and it’s thought to have been first distilled in Caribbean sugarcane plantations in the 17th century. Barbados is traditionally though to be the location of the first distillery, though rum was also produced in Brazil in the early 17th century.
Today, rum is produced all over the world, with many of the best distilleries in the Caribbean, Brazil, and several other countries. But the question is, what is the best bottle of rum?
This list collects 10 of the best rum winners of the 2014 International Wine & Spirits Competition to help you choose which is the best rum for you.
Rhum Agricole Vieux Niesson
Rhum Agricole Vieux Niesson comes from Neisson Distillery in Martinique, which has been distilling spirits since 1931. Rhum Agricole is a French term for cane juice rum, which sets this apart from the other bottles of rum on this list.
Here are the notes the IWSC judges took of the drink:
A 700ml bottle of Rhum Agricole Vieux Niesson costs about 48 euros.
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Angostura Gran Anejo 7 YO
Here’s what the IWSC has to say about this one:
A 750mL bottle of Angostura Gran Anejo 7 year old rum costs about $23.
Angostura Single Barrel Dark
British Navy Pusser’s Rum Gunpowder Proof Original Admiralty Strength
Incredibly, not all of the last rations of official Navy rum were consumed back in 1970. Barrels of it were stored in Gibraltar for the next decade with the last of the supply available these days for around £650 a bottle. Pussers gained the rights to re-create the rum according to the last recipe the Navy used ideal for those who dont fancy shelling out the cost of a return flight to Kingston for a bottle. Blended from five West Indian rums, the label is a no-nonsense design classic and the taste itself is absolutely unreconstructed with an unrepentant treacle and tobacco kick. Defiantly old school and suitable for those for whom enemy fire, force-ten gales and sickly parrots hold no palpable fear. £39.95.masterofmalt.comand
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Bacard Facundo Exquisito + Xa Paraiso
When you hear the word rum, its quite likely the first brand to pop into your head is Bacardí. The Puerto Rican standard for rum can be found in almost any bar and bodega across the planet, so its easy to dismiss as a volume brand . They know how to make a quality sipper, however, and have developed a top-tier collection named after their founder, Bacardí Massó Facundo, sourced straight from the familys private reserves.
The super-luxury Facundo line offers four bottles, but the Exquisito and XA Paraiso top the collection. The former marries rum aged a minimum 7 years with 23-year-old oak-aged rum finished in sherry casks. After blending, the married rum is then aged another month together in sherry casks. Meanwhile the Paraiso is rum aged up to 23 years finished in French XO cognac casks to create Bacardís ultimate sipping spirit. Expect sweet, rich notes of banana and vanilla, along with the spice of nutmeg, sultanas and cinammon. Truly a spectacular spirit from one of the biggest names in rum. Facundo Exquisito: $150, Facundo Paraiso: $250
Best Dark Rum: Koloa Kauai Dark Rum
Distiller: Foursquare DistilleryCountry of Origin: Barbados
They call this the Real McCoy because it’s named after a Prohibition-era rum smuggler, William McCoy, who was bringing in the good stuff among a wave of fakes. The rum is aged in bourbon casks, and it tastes exactly like bourbon went on a tropical vacation. Read any review, and you’ll immediately notice that fans of the Real McCoy also tend to be fans of whiskey. So if you’re trying to broaden your horizons in the liquor store, stock up on bottles of this before everyone gets in on the fun.
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Black Tot Last Consignment
Its not just a great rum, its a piece of historyand it cant be replicated. From the 18th century until 1970, British Royal Navy sailors were given a daily ration, or tot, of rum blended and aged specifically for the purpose. The blend was generally sourced from various British rum-making colonies, most notably the Port Mourant distillery in Guyana, though the blend changed frequently based on what was available. July 31, 1970, also known as Black Tot Day, marked the end of the daily rum ration. But plenty of ceramic flagons containing the historic liquid survived. Some are used to this day at British royal functions. Some others found their way into the hands of Sukhinder Singh, founder of the Whisky Exchange, who began bottling and selling authentic Royal Navy rum in 2010. The blend, bottled at 54.5 percent ABV , consists of roughly 60 percent Demerara rum 30 percent Trinidadian rum and 10 percent from various other sources, according to rum historian Matt Pietrek. Its not subtle or particularly refined, but it is delicious, with powerful dark chocolate, molasses, caramel and hints of tobacco along with the meatiness thats the hallmark of Guyanese rum. Its almost worth joining the navy to get some of this every day.