The sugar-based beverage originated among the palm trees and blue skies of the Caribbean islands, where the heat allows for a speedier maturation process. There are two main types – white rum which receives limited ageing, and dark rum, a more complex and flavourful variety often favoured by connoisseurs. The spirit forms a basis for many classic cocktails including mojitos, daiquiris, punch and pina colada, but is often imbibed neat. Read on to discover our favourite rums to buy right now.
Ron Zacapa Centenario Sistema Solera 23 Rum
Ron Zacapa Centenario Sistema Solera 23 is a limited–edition Guatemalan rum from Ron Zacapa‘s Heavenly Cask series. It is a rich blend of characterful rums matured in Zacapa‘s solera system and then further aged in ex–American whiskey casks. The aroma is of toasted almonds, cinnamon and sticky toffee, which is also echoed on the palate. Awarded 97 points and a Platinum Medal by the Beverage Testing Institute in Chicago, Ron Zacapa Centenario Sistema Solera 23 is a luxurious rum with notes of honeyed butterscotch, spiced oak, Christmas cake fruit, chocolate orange, roasted apricots, brown sugar, sweet tobacco, marzipan, and a faint waft of cigar smoke.
Ron Abuelo XII Two Oaks
Ron Abuelo is a rum brand with a rich and distinctive history. The brand was created by José Varela Blanco, a pioneer from Spain who came to Panama and created the country‘s first sugar cane mill. The Ron Abuelo Two Oaks rum has a smooth flavour that is the result of the liquid being aged for 12 years in selected bourbon barrels and finished in an extra-charred virgin American Oak barrel. This results in a non-traditional liquid that meets the bridge between bourbon and rum. It has an intense, and delicate smoky sweetness with notes of spices, caramel, and roasted coffee beans with light hints of cola nuts. It can be enjoyed straight up or on the rocks.
The Duppy Share Aged Rum
Duppy Share Spiced Rum is a blend of two-year-old aged rums from Jamaica and Barbados spiced with vibrant Pineapple, Kola Nut and Island spices. The aromatic aged golden rum is naturally spiced with ginger, vanilla, cola, grapefruit, pineapple, clove, nutmeg, basil and orange. Perfectly balanced and complex, Duppy Share Spiced Rum is designed to pair perfectly with your favourite mixer.
Goslings Gold Seal Rum
Goslings Gold Seal Rum is a delicate and elegant rum with complex layers of caramel and spice. It was first launched in 2016 to celebrate the partnership with the 35th Americas Cup. The special rum is made with the finest distillates that are aged independently and then blended in Bermuda, using generations–old Gosling family methods. Highly versatile, it’s great on the rocks or when incorporated in mixed drinks such as the South Shore, Bermuda Mule, Somers Gold, or Golden Tee classic Rum Swizzle.
Copalli Rum
Originating from Belize, this Copalli rum is made using organic sugar cane. The cane is crushed and juiced within two hours of its harvesting and proofed with canopy water. Then, any surplus sugar cane material is re-used to fuel the distillery’s pot stills, ensuring the spirit’s production is environmentally sustainable.
Cut Smoked Rum
Crafted using Jamaican rum and smoked using oak chips, this one is for those rum drinkers with a preference for peaty flavours. It’s one of the first smoked rums to have been produced in the UK and contains fine natural ingredients; vanilla and peppercorns from Madagascar, coriander seed, cinnamon and aniseed from south India and nutmeg from the West Indies.
Eminente
Aged for seven years, this Cuban rum is evocative of its homeland – notes of coffee, tobacco, dark chocolate, spices, cherry and florals abound to create a deep, rich flavour. It’s made with 100% Cuban sugar cane for authenticity and makes a super Old Fashioned. Eminente is perfect when paired with a cigar – you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to 1930s Havana.
For de Cana
A deep brown 18-Year-Old rum, For de Cana’s Centenario has notes of dark chocolate, charred oak, burnt nut, caramel and allspice. Proofed at 40% and hailing from Nicaragua, it’s both rich and full-bodied, equally delicious served on the rocks or solo.
Black Tot Rum
For over three centuries, sailors were given a ration of rum every day, known as the Black Tot. The Royal Navy continued this right up until 31 July 1970. Now, this Master Blender’s Reserve Rum 2021 commemorates this tradition with the release of 6000 bottles. It comprises Black Tot 50th Anniversary Rum, some original Royal Navy Blend and a range of aged rums from renowned distilleries in Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados and Australia. The result is a unique, fruity elixir with flavours of mandarin orange, mango, flambéed banana, grilled pineapple, lemon thyme, bergamot, liquorice, whisky marmalade and Mexican spiced chocolate.
Twin Fin Rum
Presented in a vibrant yellow and orange bottle this rum has links with both the Caribbean and Cornwall. Pot still rum from Jamaica is merged with a lighter column still rum from the Dominican Republic, then infused with flavours of pineapple and pink grapefruit in Tarquin Leadbetter’s Southwestern Distillery near Padstow. Containing neither added sugar nor artificial flavouring, the bold spirit is perfect for cocktails, or summer sipping.
Plantation XO
Presented in a striking decanter, the multi-award-winning Plantation XO makes for an attractive gift. The spirit is aged in bourbon barrels, then matured for a second time in French Cognac casks from the Ferrand house. Drink this if you prefer a rum that’s well balanced, with a long finish and a slightly spicy, oaky, tropical taste.
Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva
Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva is a Venezuelan rum made from molasses, distilled in copper pot stills and matured in whiskey barrels. The liquor received a Gold Medal at the International Sugar Cane Spirits Tasting Competition (2019) in Ybor City, as well as a silver medal at the International Wine & Spirit Competition. Well suited to the festive season, it contains hints of sultanas, chocolate, Christmas cake and gingerbread.