Joseph V Micallef reviews twelve leading Caribbean rums for Forbes. (You may follow the author on LinkedIn.) He writes, “Here’s an overview and tasting notes of 12 top Caribbean rums that have consistently won gold medals at international spirit competitions, a testament to their exceptional quality and craftsmanship.” Here are excerpts; read full article at Forbes.
Rum is produced worldwide, but the heart of rum is still the Caribbean. Here’s a detailed overview and tasting notes of 12 top Caribbean rums that have consistently won gold medals at international spirit competitions, a testament to their exceptional quality and craftsmanship.
Mount Gay XO (Barbados) Mt Gay, one of the oldest rum distilleries in the world, was established in 1703. The XO expression, a blend of rums aged 8 to 15 years, is one of their most celebrated offerings. The rum is distilled from molasses using both pot stills and column stills. It’s typically aged in ex-bourbon casks, although the distillery has been experimenting with maturing or finishing rums in various other cask types, including Cognac casks. [. . .]
Angostura 7-Year-Old (Trinidad & Tobago) Angostura has been producing rum since the early 20th century. This 7 YO rum mixes light and heavy rums distilled from molasses using a continuous still and aged in ex-bourbon barrels. [. . .]
Appleton Estate 12-Year-Old Rare Blend (Jamaica) Appleton Estate, founded in 1749, is one of Jamaica’s oldest and most famous rum producers. This 12 YO expression is a well-balanced blend of rums aged 12 to 18 years. The rum is distilled from molasses using a combination of copper pot stills and column stills and aged in ex-bourbon barrels. [. . .]
Rhum J.M XO (Martinique) Rhum J.M is known for producing high-quality Rhum Agricole, rum made from fresh sugarcane juice. This XO expression is aged for at least six years and is an excellent example of Agricole rum’s complex flavor profile. [. . .]
Rhum Saint James VSOP (Martinique) Rhum Saint James, founded in 1765, is known for producing some of the Caribbean’s finest Rhum Agricoles. The VSOP expression is distilled from fresh sugarcane juice and aged in oak barrels for at least four years. [. . .]
Mount Gay Eclipse (Barbados) Mount Gay Eclipse is a vibrant, medium-bodied rum crafted from a blend of 2-5 YO rums and is an excellent introduction to the Mount Gay portfolio. [. . .]
Barbancourt 8-Year-Old (Haiti) Barbancourt is a distinguished Haitian rum brand that produces Rhum Agricole. This 8 YO expression is celebrated for its smoothness and complexity. It’s distilled from fresh sugarcane juice using alembic, Charentais-style pot stills, then aged in oak barrels from the Limousin Forest. [. . .]
Zaya Gran Reserva (Trinidad) Zaya Gran Reserva is a premium rum known for its rich, complex flavor profile. It’s a blend of rums distilled from molasses and aged for up to 12 years in ex-bourbon oak barrels. [. . .]
Pyrat XO Reserve (Anguilla) Pyrat XO Reserve is a premium rum known for its distinctive blend of aged rums. It offers a refined taste with tropical fruit and oak influences. It’s distilled from molasses and aged in bourbon and sherry casks. [. . .]
Ron Zacapa 23 (Guatemala) Ron Zacapa 23 is a Guatemalan rum aged 6 to 23 years, renowned for its smooth and rich flavor. It’s distilled from sugarcane honey and aged in ex-bourbon, sherry, and wine casks. Sugarcane honey is a concentrated form of sugarcane juice that has a slight licorice taste and a touch of bitterness. [. . .]
The Real McCoy 12 YO (Barbados) The Real McCoy 12 YO is a premium rum distilled from molasses at the Foursquare Distillery in traditional pot stills, then aged in heavily charred oak barrels. [. . .]
Foursquare Rum 12-Year-Old (Cask Strength) The Foursquare 12 YO Cask Strength is a limited-edition release that showcases the distillery’s ability to produce an intense and flavorful rum. It’s bottled at cask strength, creating a powerful yet refined rum. This rum has earned multiple gold medals for its bold flavors and smooth, potent finish. [. . .]
These rums are renowned for their quality, complexity, and craftsmanship. Made from various sugar cane-derived materials and distilled using a combination of pot and column still distillation and extended aging in multiple types of oak barrels, these award-winning rums offer a range of aroma and taste profiles and a rich, smooth character that is appreciated by rum aficionados worldwide.
Read full article at https://www.forbes.com/sites/joemicallef/2025/03/08/the-caribbeans–gold-medal-rums-according-to-the-top-rum-competitions/
[Shown above, the Appleton Rum factory in Jamaica. Getty Images.]