Rum is a refined spirit that has diversified since the 17th century, offering a wider choice to spirits lovers. Flavors, aromas, alcohol content, there is something for every taste, every occasion and every personality. If you're looking for a good bottle to enjoy, you've come to the right place. Read our guide to the best rums available right now.
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Our selection
"Plantation is a range of French rum of world fame. It honors its reputation with this 20th anniversary cuvée from Barbados. Aged in Cognac casks,…"
"Opt for a blend of strength and fruity character with this rum from Guatemala. Zacapa 23 has won five awards in the International Rum Contest."
"This old Opthimus Rum is an exceptional elixir of 25 years of age from the Dominican Republic. Its flavor lies in its aging process carried…"
"If you prefer white rum, we suggest this elixir from the French West Indies. With it, you will enjoy a sweet flavor thanks to the…"
Plantation is a range of French rum of world fame. It honors its reputation with this 20th anniversary cuvée from Barbados. Aged in Cognac casks, its flavor is enhanced by chocolate notes in perfect harmony with fresh coconuts, giving it a long and warm finish.
48,40 £ on CdiscountThis 20th anniversary Plantation rum is an exceptional, powerful and balanced old rum. Aged for 18 months in Cognac barrels in Charente and blended by Pierre Ferrand, it has undergone a double maturation, the first one having taken place in Barbados. The blending process applies the traditional methods of the region. Classified XO, it is particularly appreciated thanks to its notes of exotic fruits and vanilla that blend perfectly with the wood.
This cuvée was created to celebrate Alexandre Gabriel's 20th year as Master Blender of Plantation Rums. Its flavor is enhanced by chocolate notes in perfect symbiosis with fresh coconut, giving it a long and warm finish. Powerful and long on the palate, this rum is described as a creamy, gourmet rum. It is sold in a 70 cl bottle with an alcohol percentage of 40%.
Opt for a blend of strength and fruity character with this rum from Guatemala. Zacapa 23 has won five awards in the International Rum Contest.
42,32 £ on AmazonZacapa 3 is an award-winning elixir that has earned its place in the rum hall of fame. Originating in Guatemala, it was developed through an aging process using local ancestral techniques and aged in a succession of casks. This liquid is a blend of rums from 6 to 23 years of age.
Rich in flavors combining sweetness and spices, we appreciate a perfect balance mixing dried fruit, sweet oak and dark chocolate with cherry. It is to be consumed or shared in moderation before and after the meal, with or without ice. It can be enjoyed dry and is a perfect ingredient for homemade cocktails.
This old Opthimus Rum is an exceptional elixir of 25 years of age from the Dominican Republic. Its flavor lies in its aging process carried out in American oak barrels. Combining fruity notes and vanilla taste, it is derived from the synthesis process of Solera and is contained in a 70 cl bottle with an alcohol percentage of 38%.
79,20 £ on CdiscountOpthimus Rum 25 years is an old Ron from Solera. It is considered as one of the best rums in the world. With its composition perfectly combining fruity notes and vanilla fragrance, it offers a balanced and elegant palate sublimated by the aromas of black cherries. Indeed, critics appreciate its tasteful aspect and its sweetness in the mouth.
Resulting from the processes of elaboration of Solera, this elixir from the Dominican Republic is contained in a bottle of 70 cl and contains a percentage of alcohol to 38%. To be enjoyed in moderation, this vintage is served as an aperitif, digestive and is a perfect ingredient for your cocktails. In short, this rum is simply exceptional.
If you prefer white rum, we suggest this elixir from the French West Indies. With it, you will enjoy a sweet flavor thanks to the spicy floral notes and the rather short finish that will make you want to refill very quickly. With its capacity of 5 L, you have enough for a certain time.
88,96 £ on CdiscountOpt for a white agricultural rum resulting from the fermentation and distillation of the Guadeloupean vesou. This alcohol has been elaborated in the respect of ancestral traditions, which gave it its aromatic richness marked by the fine sweet, floral and spicy notes. Its fragrance is sublimated by the exhalation of the cane sugar and the mixture of spices. In mouth, you appreciate its soft attack thanks to the floral notes and the subtle touches of spices.
Distilled in a device consisting of Creole columns, this agricultural rum has an alcohol percentage of 40% of volume. Note that the capacity is 5 L. Also note that its rather short finish will make you want to refill very quickly, so be careful during your tastings. Do not forget to consume it with moderation. This white agricultural rum shows the particular richness of the West Indian culture in the elaboration of good rums.
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The world's best entry-level rum
The world's best white agricultural rum
Your guide :
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| TOP OF THE TOP | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT | |
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| OUR SELECTION |
Plantation XO 20th anniversary rum
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Ron Zacapa 23 years 0.70 L
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Ron Opthimus 25 years old from Solera
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White agricultural rum Damoiseau BIB 500 cl
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Plantation is a range of French rum of world fame. It honors its reputation with this 20th anniversary cuvée from Barbados. Aged in Cognac casks, its flavor is enhanced by chocolate notes in perfect harmony with fresh coconuts, giving it a long and warm finish.
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Opt for a blend of strength and fruity character with this rum from Guatemala. Zacapa 23 has won five awards in the International Rum Contest.
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This old Opthimus Rum is an exceptional elixir of 25 years of age from the Dominican Republic. Its flavor lies in its aging process carried out in American oak barrels. Combining fruity notes and vanilla taste, it is derived from the synthesis process of Solera and is contained in a 70 cl bottle with an alcohol percentage of 38%.
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If you prefer white rum, we suggest this elixir from the French West Indies. With it, you will enjoy a sweet flavor thanks to the spicy floral notes and the rather short finish that will make you want to refill very quickly. With its capacity of 5 L, you have enough for a certain time.
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Type
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Old Rum
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Amber
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Old Rum
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White Rum
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Content
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70 cl
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70 cl
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70 cl
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5 l
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Origin
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Barbade and Charente
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Guatemala
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Dominican Republic
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Guadeloupe
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Percentage of alcohol
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40 %
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40 %
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38 %
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40%
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Weight
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1,3 kg
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1,1 kg
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1,62 kg
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1,3 kg
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You will have the choice between several types of rums but 3 of them particularly stand out. These are amber rums, white rums and aged rums. Choose according to your preferences and your use. Indeed, the white rum has the reputation to be stronger in alcohol degree compared to the amber rum. If you are looking for rum to be drunk dry, choose the old rum. On the other hand, for cocktails, white rum is more appropriate while amber rum is better suited for cooking recipes.
The alcohol content is a key criterion in choosing the ideal rum. It goes without saying that if you want to taste a strong alcohol, you will have to opt for the vintages presenting a degree of 40 at least. On the other hand, you will find rum with half as much alcohol. Everything will depend on your needs and your use. In any case, don't skip this information on the alcohol percentage to avoid surprises.
Each rum has a touch that differentiates it from another. This touch is a result of its production process, ranging from maceration to the types of distillation barrels. You can choose a cuvée rich in floral, chocolate or fruit. This information is displayed on the bottles or the pack containing the product. Simply choose according to your tastes and consumption habits.
Rum is an alcoholic beverage that continues its maturation over months and years. Generally speaking, the older it is, the older it is to satisfy in terms of the feeling of drunkenness. Some ranges are two years old, others are over 20 years old. If you are looking for a well-balanced rum that will have aged enough, opt for the one or the ones that are at least 6 years old, you will appreciate their effects.
There are more than a hundred brands of rum in the world. Each one has its own characteristics and each blender or distiller has added their touch to meet the needs of consumers. Generally speaking, the older brands know a little more about the manufacturing process and are better able to provide quality rums. Plantation, Zacapa, Clement and Damoiseau are some of the key brands in this field.
Assemblage: operation consisting in selecting rums of different years, different barrels and to develop them in a single vintage.
Molasses: sugar cane residue obtained after the extraction of sugar. It is the principal ingredient entering the composition of the industrial rumVO
: from the English Very Old, this acronym indicates the categories of rum having undergone a process of ageing of three years minimum in barrel.
VSOP: VSOP designates rum that has been aged for at least four years in casks.
XO - Xtra Old or Hors d'âge : Rum having aged for at least six years in cask.
Vintage: A rum is classified as vintage if it comes from a particularly exceptional year. It must also have aged in cask for at least 6 years.
Single Cask: Rum coming from a single rigorously selected cask.
Brut de fût: Rum coming from the same vintage and bottled at its natural degree, without prior reduction.
White rum is one of the most popular categories of rum in the world. This category is represented by many brands such as Damoiseau, Clément or Saint-James. Characterized by its transparent or translucent color, white rum is used in the composition of the most famous cocktails such as the mojito.
Qualified as the undisputed reference of plantation rums, it is smooth, with a controlled structure and an aromatic character combining marine and mineral notes. This category of rum also has a reputation for being more alcoholic compared to others, which may put off some who are looking for a sweet product.
Amber rums are also popular with a certain category of consumers. It has a special place in the making of arranged rum. Generally, it has less alcohol than white rum, but some representatives of this category hold their own against whites in terms of alcohol content.
Its amber color results from its aging process carried out in old oak barrels with the addition of caramel. Generally speaking, it is aged for a period of 12 to 18 months. As its name indicates, aged rum has undergone an aging process that lasts longer compared to amber rums and white agricultural rums. The excellence of aged rum results from its unique and structured character. Spirits lovers appreciate it because of the omnipresence of woody notes.
Old rum is also known for its power despite a certain sweetness in the mouth. This type of spirit is blended, matured and aged in old oak barrels for a minimum of 1 year. Old rum is highly sought after and those who are used to white agricultural liquors may not appreciate the sensations when tasting it.
Rum, whether industrial or agricultural, is made by maceration of sugar cane. If the industrial rum comes from the molasses which is a residue cane after production of sugar, the agricultural rum comes directly from this sugar cane. Generally speaking, this spirit carries more pronounced aromas and flavors, which has contributed to their popularity. If you use it to make a cocktail, you have to pay attention to its flavors and fragrance to make a success of your preparations, which does not please some spirits lovers.
The vodka is issued from a grain fermented at a very high degree and gives a liquid with an alcohol content of more or less 90% of its total volume. To reduce this level, manufacturers dilute it with water. This process of manufacture makes a neutral alcohol with which, one can carry out very appreciable cocktails. Nevertheless, some people do not appreciate this neutral taste and prefer the aromatic character of good agricultural rums.
It depends mainly on your taste and habits. The degree of alcohol is roughly the same and so are the effects on the next day. If you prefer neutral alcohol to be mixed with another drink, choose vodka. If you want to enjoy an intoxicating drink with woody flavors and fruity notes, go for rum.
To enjoy pleasant moments
The success of alcohol lies in its ability to loosen tongues and facilitate communication between people. This drink is especially appreciated for its societal character. Thus, to celebrate in the best conditions, to spend good moments with the guests or its close relations, a small glass of rum will not make evil. You just have to avoid one glass too many.
Because it's affordable
Rum is an inexpensive alcohol. Even the high-end grades are much more affordable compared to some Scotch and Japanese whiskies. So, if you want to get drunk without breaking the bank, it is more than wise to opt for rum, especially since if you take the time to choose well, you can find very good quality, both in terms of taste and effects on the next day.
To widen your field of gustatory flavors
By opting for rum, one discovers new sensations generated by the discovery of fruity, woody or vegetable flavors depending on the manufacturing process of the drink. With good rum, we get our taste buds used to mixtures of flavors that enrich our field of perceptions. In short, good rum allows us to broaden our horizons.
To discover unusual flavors
If we are used to drinking vodka, bourbon or gin, it will do us a world of good to switch to agricultural rum made from sugarcane. Like whiskey, each process of maceration, blending, distillation and conservation is different. Thus, by opting for rum from time to time and by remaining attentive to its elaboration process, it is like going on a journey with a sip of rum.
To perpetuate a know-how
The process of elaboration of rum is made up of traditional methods resulting from research and experimentation over several centuries. By choosing rum, we contribute to the perpetuation of this knowledge while enjoying the pleasant effects of this drink in our daily lives. In short, rum allows us to perpetuate a tradition while pleasing ourselves, always in moderation.
In our opinion, the best brands of rums of the world in 2022 are :
Plantation is a brand of GIN from the Ferrand house. Under the impetus of Alexandre Gabriel, it has turned to the conception of other spirits and is today one of the leaders of the rum market.
Zapaca is a city located in the east of Guatemala. This small town is known for its production of original rum aged at 3000 meters above sea level, which gives it its originality and earns it the best reviews from spirits lovers.
Clement rum is an agricultural spirit produced in Martinique. It is a rum obtained by distillation of Vesou and elaborated in compliance with the specifications of the AOC Rhum Martinique, which is why it is so successful worldwide.
The Saint-James distillery is a house specialized in the elaboration of agricultural rums and produces various categories of this spirit. A subsidiary of the La Martiniquaise group, it is one of the best known brands in the field of agricultural rums.
Opthimus is one of the world's leading producers of liqueurs and spirits of all kinds. This company, based in the Dominican Republic, uses a process based on local know-how combined with distillation experience from Jamaica.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
Alternate between agricultural and industrial rums
In order to vary the tastes and flavors, if you like rum, do not hesitate to alternate the two types of rum. It is important to know that agricultural rum is a tradition of the former French colonies while industrial rum comes from the former Spanish empire. Each one has its specificities that you can only discover by tasting it.
Close the bottles tightly once opened
Alcohol is a volatile substance. If you've started a bottle, but haven't finished it yet, you need to make sure the cork is securely closed. It's true that rum is more affordable than whiskey, but why waste, especially if you've opted for one of the high-end rums in our selection.
Store rum in a glass bottle
If you have leftover rums from the same types, but from other brands, transfer them to a single bottle and wait a few days or weeks before enjoying it. But go with optimal moderation, because the mix may be explosive.
Buy different types of rum
If you love this spirit, treat yourself to a variety of rum varieties. You have to do this because if you are invited by guests to have a good time over one or two bottles, you may not appreciate it if you are used to one type.
Save some rum for later
Rum is not just for getting drunk or partying, it can be of great use in many other situations. In fact, white rum is used to make toddy, a miracle cure for the flu and the common cold, while amber spirits are an important ingredient in some baked goods and other culinary recipes.
This will depend on the cocktail. If you want to make a good mojito, it's best to use a good white agricultural rum. On the other hand, if you plan to make a pina colada, it would be better to turn to an amber rum or even an old rum. However, everything will depend on your preparations. If you know how to mix the ingredients, it doesn't matter what kind of rum you use, you'll succeed.
Yes, the provenance matters. Indeed, the elaboration of good quality rum requires a certain expertise, that is to say a knowledge of the ingredients, the processes and environments of ageing as well as conservation. For a long time, this knowledge has been passed down from generation to generation. This means that rums from regions known for their crafting tradition will always be better.
Arranged rum is a technique of macerating leaves, peels, fruits or seeds in pure rum. This process allows us to sweeten certain categories of strong spirits while adding certain flavors according to our tastes. It is necessary to be careful, because the arranged rum is often more powerful than a classic rum.
It depends on the quantity started in the bottle of rum. It is important to know that the more air there is in the bottle, the more likely the flavor will deteriorate. If the bottle is 1/4 full, you can keep it for a year. If the bottle is half-full, it should be consumed within 6 months. In any case, make sure to keep them away from humidity and in an upright position.
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