THE BEST RUMS IN THE CARIBBEAN JOE PIKE , CREATED 04/03/2014
It's not hard to find a bottle of rum in the Caribbean, but finding the perfect one takes time.
Luckily, we've done the hard work for you. Here are our picks for the 10 best rums in the caribbean:
You can't leave the Caribbean without rum.
10. Tortuga Citrus Honey, Cayman IslandsThis is the perfect starter rum for first-time Caribbean travelers whose pallets made not be used to the sweet nectar of the region. As the name implies, this rum has a sweet aftertaste and thus doesn't need to be mixed with anything.
9. Mount Gay Eclipse Gold, BarbadosMount Gay Eclipse Gold is perhaps the best mixing rum on the list. It has a slight banana and candied fruits taste, and its subtle flavors more than qualify it as sipping rum. The Eclipse is a traditional double-distilled rum, aged in white Kentucky oak barrels.
8. Appleton Estate Extra 12 Year Old Jamaican Rum, JamaicaWith the exception of perhaps Bacardi and Malibu, Appleton may be the Caribbean rum Americans are most familiar with. Already a loyal fan of Appleton Reserve, which is a little on the darker side with a heavy bite, we switched allegiance to the Appleton Estate Extra Old after trying on our last trip to Jamaica. There’s a spicy oak flavor complimented by a dark sugar taste that makes this one of the most delicious rums in the region.
7. Clement Single Cask, MartiniqueOne of the most underrated rums on this list, Clement may hail from a small distillery on the French-Caribbean island of Martinique but it’s big taste rivals most rums throughout the world. Aged for eight years, it has a sweet aftertaste with subtle flavors of caramel and nuts.
6. Rhum Barbancourt Estate Reserve, HaitiAged 15 years, the Rhum Barbancourt Estate Reserve is a true sipping rum. Citrus dominates the aroma while the palate has subtle hints of cinnamon and even pepper.
5. Ron Brugal 1888 Gran Reserva Familiar, Dominican RepublicRon Brugal 1888 is aged in American white oak barrels, then Spanish sherry casks in the Dominican Republic. The aroma mixes molasses, coffee and a subtle hint of raisin with spices and a hint of citrus dominating. Long story short, it’s one of the smoothest rums on the market.
4. Don Q Gran Añejo, Puerto RicoDon Q Gran Añejo is a blend of premium rums aged up to 12 years. It’s our favorite rum in Puerto Rico, which is saying a lot since the island has more than a dozen quality rums. Aged three to 12 years in former whiskey and bourbon barrels, it has an oak and molasses aroma and a longer, smoother finish than the traditional Don Q Añejo.
3. Cubaney Ron Tesero Grand Reserve, Dominican RepublicSorry, Ron Brugal 1888 Gran Reserva Familiar, but this rum slightly edges you out for the best rum in the Dominican Republic simply because its flavors are so fun. This 25-year-old rum, aged in a similar style of most Cuban rums, has a lot of dessert-like flavors, from chocolate fudge to nutmeg to almonds and raisins, even a hint of tobacco.
2. El Dorado Special Reserve 21 Year Old, GuyanaThe oak aftertaste is intense for some (try some ice to lighten the effect) and is due in large part to the two decades of aging in oak barrels, never a bad sign for a good sipping rum. There’s a heavy alcohol scent right at the beginning but is quickly followed by a sweet taste of vanilla.
1. English Harbour 1981 Rum, AntiguaAged 25 years in whisky and bourbon barrels, this Antiguan rum lets off a woody, smoky aroma when it’s first cracked. It’s got a heavy taste of roasted nuts and fruit and finishes with some cinnamon-like flavors. Widely considered the best rum in the Caribbean, it runs at about $230 a bottle. If someone’s buying, you’re sipping.
