RUM is the backbone of some of the greatest cocktails on earth. Without rum we wouldn’t have the Mai Tai, Rum Punch, Pina Colada or the Dark and Stormy however, the rum world has recently followed in the footsteps of gin, with more craft rum making its way onto shelves.
Originating in the Caribbean, rum was discovered when plantation slaves realised that the molasses could be fermented and turned into alcohol. Since then, rum has become a spirit staple and has been made in endless ways with various infusions. With so many newcomers joining the rum lineups across bars around the world, it’s safe to say that a bar is not fully stocked unless there’s a selection of the dark, white and spiced variety. Whether you’re drinking it in a cocktail, with a cola or simply on the rocks, we’ve put together a guide to some of the best rums out there.
Cut rum selection
Best for: Sugar, spice and everything nice
Price: £24.99
37.5% abv
Cut have gained our respect with their more than indulgent collection of rums. Cut Spiced is everything you want from the spiced variety as it features bold, rich mollassus flavours which fuse with botanicals such as pepper, vanilla, ginger, aniseed, lemon, coriander seeds and cinnamon. Although this sounds like potent blend, Cut Spiced is warming and well-rounded which makes it great for first time rum drinkers and fans of bolder flavours.
The waxed Rumbullion bottle
Best for: A straight sipper with fresh lime juice
Price: £35
42.6% abv
There’s a certain maritime look that comes along with rum. Earthy tones mimic the wooden barrels in which they’re made in and Ableforth’s Rumbullion is delightfully packaged to fit this theme. Black wax drips down the brown paper covered bottle, and it’s contents perfectly match the bottle’s costume. A blend of Caribbean rum swims with vibrant additions of orange peel, clove, cassia, Madagascan vanilla and cardamom making a fragrant rum. Many of these flavours mimic the base of many Asian dishes but I can assure you this rum as Caribbean as it gets in flavour. Rumbullion fans need to be made aware that the bottle also comes in a magnum size which is perfect as a gift or just as part of a bar if you’re a loyal rum drinker.
The Neptune rum bottle
Best for: Authentic golden rum
Price: £37.95
40% abv
Neptune rum has won numerous awards including Best British Rum in The Golden Rum Barrel Awards and Barbados Rum of The Year to name a few. So what makes it so good? Formed of pure sugar cane molasses, Neptune rum is made in the oldest family run distillery in Barbados and uses both the pot and column method followed by a secret ageing process which is a key to its uniqueness. To add to the secrecy, the rum follows a special cold filtration process which includes the addition of a soft spring water which comes from an unrevealed European location. If you’re looking for a pure golden rum, then look no further.
The iconic Sailor Jerry bottle
Best for: A straightforward classic/ A classic rum and coke
Price: £20
Abv 40%
Sailor Jerry is probably one of the most iconic spiced rums when it comes to taste and nautical branding. The bottle features beautiful sailor-style artwork and has gone on to influence tattoos, t-shirts and rum drinkers worldwide and it was born from sailors trying to improve on the taste of the rum rations they were given. It retails at a humble price and has maintained a brilliant standard of quality over the years. The flavours are extremely versatile and smooth with notes of cinnamon and vanilla which makes it a favourite for a classic rum and coke.
The Secret Distillery #1 bottle.
Best for: A belly warmer
Price: £47.95
58% abv
This is of the the first rums from That Boutique-y Rum Company and it’s a brilliantly 9 year aged rum with a fiery ginger edge and flavours of spiced molasses. The rum is made in a secret distillery in Jamaica, and is the first batch release of 426 bottles hence the #1 on the bottle. On the palate, a classic Caribbean tropical flavour comes through the ginger spice to create a very well rounded rum, and at 58% gives the perfect punch with strong flavours.
East London Liquor Company Demerara Rum bottle.
East London Liquor Company Demerara Rum
Best for: A strawberry daiquiri
Price: £27.45
40% abv
East London Liquor Comany’s Demerara Rum relies on the natural wonders of the Demerara River for its taste as it’s made from molasses made from pure Demerara sugar which is grown on the river banks in Guyana. Demerara Rum is very similar to Jamaica rum and offers a natural sweetness without the sickly richness or artificially flavoured rums. The rum is distilled in the world’s last remaining working wooden column and aged in old bourbon casks for a minimum of 3 years which gives it a light oaky sweet finish. Drink East London Liquor Company Demerara Rum straight, with a mixer or even in a strawberry daiquiri.
The Brugal 1888 bottle.
Best for: A slow sipper
Price: £40
40% abv
Brugal have a handful of brilliant rums under their family belt however, when it comes to the one you want in your bar then 1888 is the right choice. Born and raised for 14 years in the Dominican Republic, Brugal 1888 has the complexity of a fine wine or whiskey and the reddish hue of port wine. When poured into a glass, the rum comes alive, as flavours of spices and dried fruit are first on the nose. Taking a sip, you might find yourself feeling slightly festival as the rich flavours take influence from many popular festival ingredients such as cinnamon and raisins.
The Hoxton Banana Rum bottle.
Best for: Banana lovers
Price: £32.95
40% abv
Hoxton Banana Rum is a unique blend of three hand selected rums from the Carribean including Barbados, Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. The rum’s inspiration comes from island living hence the use of banana, which goes through a process involving fresh and dried bananas being macerated for five weeks. This process gives the rum a beautiful banana flavour which is strong on the palate but not overly dominating. Hoxton Banana Rum is made with 100% natural ingredients so if you don’t like the taste of banana then this really isn’t for you. Having tried and tasted various rum infusions, the Hoxton Banana Rum stands out as its banana flavour is accurate to the taste of fresh banana and you can imagine the process of it being made in each sip.
The slender Lugger Rum bottle.
Best for: A spicy number
Price: £38.50
40% abv
Jack Ratt Lugger Rum is made in Devon, England. It’s an unlikely place for rum production however its character as a rum is strong. The name Jack Ratt Lugger Rum comes from the name the fishing boats that Jack Ratt used to sneak contraband rum into. Lugger consists of aged Caribbean rum that goes through a rigorous spicing process that includes adding nutmeg, orange peel, cloves and vanilla. Spiced rum usually adopts a very sweet taste due to vanilla flavours however, Lugger focuses more on the spice palette which provides a fuller more intense spiced rum experience.
The Phoenix Tears Spiced Rum bottle.
Best for: A party rum
Price: £40
40% abv
When you picture rum, you think of a dark translucent brown liquid. Phoenix Tears Spiced Rum is a little different when it comes to the looks department as it’s filled with sparkly iridescent glitter. Looks aside, the rum is a classic blend of sweet and spicy with flavours of brown sugar, dried fruit, cinnamon and ginger infused with Caribbean rum. It’s the kind of rum that’s almost too pretty to drink but it’s perfect to crack open for a special occasion like a birthday or for a fancy cocktail.
The Sweetdram Spiced Rum bottle.
Best for: Ginger, rum and lime
Price: £32
41% abv
Sweetdram is an Edinburgh based brand formed of two distillers who decided to built a brand solely focused on original flavour rather than recreating boring spirits. That’s where their Sweetdram Spiced Rum comes in. It’s a flavour filled rum made from a mix of Caribbean rums, green botanicals, grains of paradise, lapsang souchong and warm-smoked organic figs. These ingredients aren’t conventionally found in spiced rum which makes Sweet Dram all the more exciting. Unlike many nautical themed rums, Sweet Dram presents itself in a modern, hip package. Sweet Dram is best served with ginger beer and a hefty squeeze of fresh lime.
by Katrina Mirpuri