The 25 Best Rums That Should Always Be On Your Bar Cart, According to Master Distillers
Perfect for piña coladas, mojitos and sipping straight!
When you think of rum, you probably envision sweet tropical drinks like piña coladas, mai tais and hurricanes you can sip on the beach. But it turns out rum is so much more versatile than that—and it’s having a real moment right now. According to recent market research, the global rum market is valued at a whopping $11 billion and is expected to grow every year by 5 percent through 2028.
It makes sense that rum would finally be having its moment. With many different types of rum to choose from, it’s a fantastic option for the beachside cocktails you know and love but is also great for sipping on its own too.
Ready to add rum to your bar cart? Below, we share everything you need to know about rum and share our picks for the best rums on the market right now.
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What Is Rum Made From?
Rum is an alcoholic fermented drink that’s distilled from derivatives of the sugar cane plant, says Lorena Vasquez, master blender for Zacapa Rum, which is handcrafted in Guatemala.
“To make rum, you first must create a fermentation of sugar, yeast and water, much the same way you make beer or wine,” explains Kelly Moffitt, master distiller and owner of Clever Fox Rum. “That fermentation is called a ‘wash,’ and once it reaches the desired alcohol percentage, it is placed into a still and heated to separate the alcohol molecules from the solids and most of the water.”
In order to be called “rum,” the spirit must be bottled at a proof of 80 (40 percent alcohol by volume) or higher. “Additives such as flavorings, spices or sugar may be added after distillation,” adds Moffitt.
Where Do the Best Rums Come From?
Rum is produced in sugar cane-producing countries. These countries include Jamaica, Cuba, Barbados, Guatemala and the United States (including Puerto Rico).
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What Are the Different Types of Rum?
When it comes to the different types of rum, this is actually a bit of a heated debate in the industry, notes Moffitt. That’s because there are no common regulations controlling worldwide rum production, and there also aren’t standard categories of rum, she says. It varies as widely as varieties of wine, adds Moffitt. “You can categorize by region, ingredients, style, flavor, distillation methods—the list goes on,” she says.
At Clever Fox, Moffitt says her team categorizes rum into three main categories: unaged, aged and flavored, which includes spiced. “You can think of these like you think of wine as having white, red or sparkling categories,” she says.
Then, within these three main categories, there are a few main flavor profiles you can further narrow rum down into, if you desire, according to Moffitt. These include:
Jamaican style: This type of rum has funky, fun flavors due to wild yeasts and is often overproof.
Agricole style: This type of rum is grassy and bright. “These are made from fresh sugar cane juice and will be called ‘Cachaça’ in Brazil,” says Moffitt. “If you’ve ever had a caipirinha, you’ve had Agricole-style rum.”
Molasses-based: This type of rum is deeper, with more malty flavors due to the cooked sugar and caramel notes of molasses.
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What Cocktails Can You Make With Rum?
There are a lot of different cocktails you can make with rum. Per Javelle Taft, head bartender at Death & Co in New York City, some of the most popular rum cocktails include:
Piña Colada: a frozen cocktail made with white rum, dark rum, pineapple, pineapple juice, coconut cream and ice.
Rum and Coke: a cocktail made with light or dark rum and your cola of choice.
Jungle Bird: a cocktail made with dark rum, Campari, pineapple juice, lime juice and simple syrup.
Queens Park Swizzle: a cocktail similar to a mojito made with demerara rum, mint leaves, simple syrup, lime juice and angostura bitters.
Dr. Funk: a cocktail made with dark rum, absinthe, lemon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, grenadine, soda water and mint leaves for garnish.
Mai Tai: a cocktail made with white rum, dark rum, orange curaçao, lime juice and orgeat.
El Presidente: a cocktail made with white rum, dry vermouth, orange curaçao and grenadine.
What Is the Best Rum for Piña Coladas?
“Piña Colada is unexpectedly a member of the ‘flip’ family of cocktails, which historically is a cocktail of spirit, sugar and a whole egg, served cold,” explains Moffitt. “In the colada, the coconut replaces the egg, and its richness is cut by the pineapple.”
Moffitt says a molasses-based rum is a good pairing here since the richness brings out the caramel notes in the pineapple. You can also include a little blackstrap rum (rum with blackstrap molasses added) if you want more richness or Agricole rum if you want a bit of a brighter taste.
What Is the Best Rum for Mojitos?
“A mojito is in the ‘sour’ family of cocktails and is a bright and universally loved cocktail,” says Moffitt. “To pair with the tang and brightness of the mint and lime, you will usually want to stick with a light, unaged rum, without too much richness.” Vasquez, meanwhile, prefers an aged rum for a unique twist on the classic mojito.
Which Rum Is the Smoothest?
When it comes to choosing a smooth rum for sipping, experts agree an aged rum is ideal. “Like most spirits, rum that has been aged in wood is often going to have the smoothest mouthfeel and the least amount of ‘heat’—which makes it ideal for sipping,” says Moffitt.
However, she says you shouldn’t feel like you have to choose the oldest rum on the shelf. “Due to its molecular composition, rum matures faster than whiskey, so you can have a three-year aged rum that will rival your favorite 10-year aged bourbon,” says Moffitt.
What Is a Top-Shelf Rum?
What makes a rum top-shelf? Top-shelf rums should be made from the highest quality ingredients and expertly handcrafted. They should also be aged for longer periods than your typical rums, resulting in a more complex flavor.
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What Is the #1 Rum in the World?
There are a lot of great rums out there (we’re sharing our picks for the top 25 below!). But the current best-selling rum in the world happens to be Tanduay, a rum brand out of the Philippines, according to The Spirits Business.
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1. Tanduay, $21+
Tanduay is the best-selling rum in the world, so naturally, it deserves a spot on this list. The brand, which hails from the Philippines, offers an award-winning gold rum aged in bourbon barrels for seven years. This mellow rum has flavors of vanilla, tropical fruit, coconut and nutmeg but isn’t overly sweet. Other rums from this brand include silver rum, double rum and spiced rum. Tanduay, $21+
2. Bacardí, $18+
Bacardí is a family-run business in Puerto Rico that has been making rums for 160 years. It’s no wonder they’re the second-best-selling rum in the world. The brand offers a wide range of rums in its lineup, including Bacardí Superior, a clear, smooth rum that’s perfect for all your favorite cocktails. They also offer black rum, gold rum, spiced rum and flavored rum. Bacardí, $18+
3. Captain Morgan, $16+
The third-best-selling rum in the world, Captain Morgan offers white and spiced rums that are ideal for whipping up delicious rum cocktails. The white rum was inspired by the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean, while the spiced rum features a secret blend of Caribbean rums and natural flavors. The brand also has a variety of flavored rums in its lineup, so there’s something for everyone. Captain Morgan, $16+
4. Zacapa Rum, $46+
“Handcrafted with the utmost care in Guatemala, Zacapa Rum is produced using only the first pressing of virgin sugar cane (most rums utilize molasses),” says Vasquez. She explains that Guatemala's rich, volcanic soil, along with the varied landscape and climate, are perfect conditions for growing the raw sugar cane that makes rum what it is. Zacapa Rum’s unique distillation process results in a beautiful flavor profile featuring rich notes of dried fruits and vanilla. What’s more, every bottle has a handwoven petate band, a 3,000-year-old Mayan cultural tradition that links Zacapa to the ancient Guatemalan civilization. Zacapa Rum, $46+
5. Clever Fox Rum, $40+
“What sets Clever Fox Rum apart is the quality and simplicity of our ingredients and the nuanced, delightful flavor that they produce,” says Moffitt. “Each bottle contains only the distillate of heirloom Louisiana sugar cane syrup, San Francisco yeast and filtered water.” There are zero additives, flavorings or sugar in Clever Fox’s silver rum, which also happens to be vegan and gluten-free. “We call it the Clever Fox because it is such an adaptable rum, it can outfox most of the clear spirits in your bar cabinet,” adds Moffitt. She says in addition to using it in traditional rum cocktails, it’s also great in mules, martinis and margaritas. Clever Fox Rum, $40+
6. Foursquare, $50+
“I love Foursquare rums,” says Taft. "They are typically barrel-proof, so adding some ice or a little water goes a long way.” Foursquare rums are handcrafted at a distillery in Barbados that dates back to the early 1700s. The single-blended rums are smooth enough to be sipped, says Moffitt. Foursquare, $50+
7. Havana Club, $20+
This Cuban rum brand is one of the top five best-selling rums in the world, and for good reason. Started by the Arechabala family in 1943, Havana Club rums are made with the finest ingredients and undergo a unique aging process that results in excellent flavor for mixing in cocktails or sipping solo. Choose from light-aged white rum, gold rum, dark-aged rum and more. Havana Club, $20+
8. Barceló, $14+
Hailing from the Dominican Republic, Barceló is one of the top 10-best selling rums in the world. The brand’s rums are produced with 100% sugar cane juice from their own plantation, the only Dominican brand to be able to make that claim. They offer a range of different rums, including white rum, gold rum and imperial rum that’s been aged for up to 10 years. There’s something at every price point to suit your budget. Barceló, $14
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9. Appleton Estate, $44+
Another of the top 10 best-selling rum brands in the world, Appleton Estate rums are crafted in the heart of Jamaica. The brand offers a signature blend of rum, as well as many aged rums (12 years, 15 years and even 21 years) that have deep flavor. Moffitt says Appleton Estate 12, in particular, is good for sipping. Appleton Estate, $44+
10. Owney’s Rum, $27.99+
If you’re looking for a solid unaged rum, one of Moffitt’s top choices is Owney’s Rum. It’s made at The Noble Experiment, New York City’s first and only rum distillery in close to a century. Founded by New York Native Bridget Firtle, this rum (which is named after an iconic Prohibition-era rum runner) is silky smooth and totally drinkable, no matter how you serve it. Owney’s Rum, $27.99+
11. Ron del Barrilito, $48.99+
Ron del Barrilito is a Puerto Rican rum that works well in piña coladas, says Taft. The brand has been around since the 1880s and uses the same methods to produce rum now as it did then. In recent years, the brand has also introduced new limited-edition rums that have aged up to 20 and 35 years. Ron del Barrilito, $48.99+
12. Probitas, $29.99+
Probitas is another solid rum choice for piña coladas, says Taft. This white blended rum has a higher proof than many other rums (it’s 47% alcohol by volume) and is a joint venture between Caribbean distilleries. It comes from two well-known, well-respected distilleries: Foursquare Rum Distillery in Barbados and Hamden Estate in Jamaica. This is a white rum with real flavor. Probitas, $29.99+
13. El Dorado, $22.99+
For the perfect mojitos, Taft recommends El Dorado 3-Year Rum. It’s aged in oak barrels for at least three years, then double-filtered through natural charcoal to remove color. The end result is a smooth, versatile spirit that’s ideal for creating cocktails. El Dorado makes a variety of other rums too, including ones that have been aged for five, eight, 12, 15, 21 and 28 years. El Dorado, $22.99+
14. Mount Gay, $27+
Mount Gay is a rum brand crafted on the island of Barbados. They offer a spectacular lineup of rums, including the entry-level Eclipse (a smooth gold rum aged for two years) and XO (a complex rum that’s matured from five to 17 years in bourbon and cognac casks). Moffitt is a fan of Mount Gay XO Rum if you’re looking to try an aged rum. Mount Gay, $27+
15. Three Roll Estate, $30+
A favorite of Moffitt’s, Three Roll Estate is located in Louisiana’s fertile delta, which is lush in sugar cane and therefore an ideal location for making rum. The brand crafts a few different rums, including white rum, dark rum and spiced rum. No matter your rum preference, there’s something to satisfy you here. Three Roll Estate, $30+
16. Coconut Cartel, $38+
Another favorite of Moffitt’s is this option. Coconut Cartel’s añejo rum is aged for four to 12 years and then cut with coconut water. Don’t go in thinking it’s sweet, however. This rum is incredibly rich and savory, making for an enjoyable sipping experience. Coconut Cartel is best served neat or on the rocks but can also add a unique flavor to your favorite rum or whiskey cocktails. Coconut Cartel, $38+
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17. Ten To One, $25+
Ten To One counts Ciara as one of its investors and co-owners. The singer has good taste in spirits as Ten to One rums are award-winning thanks to their unique flavor profiles. For example, the white rum features notes of jasmine, honeysuckle, white pepper and lemongrass with a smooth, clean finish that makes it a great fit for cocktails. The dark rum, meanwhile, features rich notes of baking spice, banana peel, yellow apple, tobacco, cedar, nut loaf and leather to make it perfect for sipping. Ten To One, $25+
18. Bumbu, $36.99+
You may be familiar with Bumbu as Lil Wayne previously appeared in a commercial for the brand, which crafts its rums in Barbados. Bumbu offers a flagship original blend that includes hand-selected spices that will make you feel like you’re in the Caribbean. Bumbu also sells their XO rum, which is aged in bourbon barrels and finished in white oak sherry casks for sensational sipping. Bumbu, $36.99+
19. Chairman’s Reserve, $27+
Crafted on the island of St. Lucia, Chairman’s Reserve offers a nice selection of rums to suit every taste. The brand has been around since the 1930s and has everything from white rum to spiced rum to gold rum in its collection. Whatever type of rum you decided to try, expect to be transported to the beautiful island of St. Lucia as you sip these high-quality rums. Chairman’s Reserve, $27+
20. Hampden Estate, $30+
Moffitt says Hampden Estate is a nice Jamaican-style rum. The brand’s distillery has been around since the 1700s. This rum brand offers a versatile range of spirits, including a rum that’s been aged for eight years and an intense overproof rum that’s 60% alcohol by volume. You’ll be sure to enjoy the pure taste of Jamaica with Hampden Estate rums. Hampden Estate, $30+
21. Blue Chair Bay, $23+
Owned by country singer Kenny Chesney, Blue Chair Bay features a selection of authentic Caribbean rums made with sugar cane molasses and natural ingredients. This award-winning brand offers white rum and spiced rum, as well as flavored rums like coconut, banana and vanilla. Blue Chair Bay also has a slew of rum creams to choose from, including pineapple rum cream and mango rum cream. Blue Chair Bay, $23+
22. Rhum J.M, $52+
Rhum J.M produces rum in Macouba, Martinique, at the base of Mt. Pelée, an iconic volcano. For an Agricole style rum, try the brand’s Rhum J.M Rum Vieux VSOP, which Moffitt likes in this category. This particular rum blends four- and five-year-old rums together to create a fine-sipping rum that combines sugar cane flavor with woody notes from the time aged in barrels. Rhum J.M, $52+
23. Flor de Caña, $23+
Flor de Caña is the first spirit to be carbon neutral and Fair Trade certified. It also has zero sugar, no artificial ingredients and is gluten-free. Flor de Caña has a large selection of rums, aged from four to 25 years. The rums are all crafted in Nicaragua and enriched by volcanic water and minerals from the San Cristóbal volcano. Flor de Caña, $23+
24. SelvaRey, $30+
SelvaRey was created by Bruno Mars, who not only is responsible for some of the catchiest tunes but also considers himself a life-long rum aficionado. The brand’s rums are crafted in the jungles of Panama and contain a blend of three- and five-year-old rums distilled in copper column stills and aged in bourbon casks. Beyond white rum, SelvaRey offers flavored rums such as chocolate and coconut that have won numerous awards. SelvaRey, $30+
25. Diplomático, $27+
Diplomático crafts their rums at their distillery in Venezuela, which sits at the feet of the Andes Mountains. The environment is ideal for sugar cane growth and rum production. The brand’s collection of rums ranges from aged white rum that’s excellent in cocktails to dark golden rum that can also be used in cocktails to ultra-premium sipping rum. Diplomático, $27+
Sources
Lorena Vasquez, master blender for Zacapa Rum
Kelly Moffitt, master distiller and owner of Clever Fox Rum
Javelle Taft, head bartender at Death & Co in New York City
