Jake Larowe, bar manager at Birds and Bees in Los Angeles, prefers well-aged rums to whiskey for slow sipping. 10 best spiced rums. I’m going to go with Mount Gay XO Reserve Cask. Knowing what brands serve up the smoothest, most enjoyable whiskey, rums and more is an important punch in your "achievements of adulthood" card. It's made using the solera system, an aging method that originates from Spanish sherry, but that has been used for aging other liquids like wine, balsamic vinegar, and—yes—rum. We should also point out that it comes in a really beautiful bottle. These are the alcohols that are so good, you can actually drink them straight. | $64.99 – $69.99. Its finish is replete with an almost chipotle smokiness and citrus brine. Where has all the rum gone? And for after... Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva. Period. It’s Spanish and finished in oak and used port barrels. Bacardi Limitada. If you're only familiar with cheap rums sold by the handle, you might think the category is pretty one-dimensional, best consumed with Coca-Cola, shot by shot or hidden under layers of fruit juice. Bonus tip: Pair it with a full-bodied cigar. "Vanilla and honey are tempered by oak and subtle spice.". So there's this really tasty Rum…… @foursquare_rum_distillery • •••••••••••••••••• Cheers to @pamela.mswalker @m.swalkernynj for the hot ticket on these 10, 11 & 12 year Ex-Bourbon Cask finished Rums ✓ #solidinvestment, A post shared by Tim Robinson (@trwinespirits) on Jul 17, 2018 at 8:22am PDT, Nate Simmons, bartender at Garden & Grain in Pensacola, Florida. If you are going to drink something straight, there has to be some sophistication and barrel aging to tone down the alcohol. In order to throw together this list, we consulted with spirits expert and master bartender Shannon Mustipher, the author of Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails, who graciously shared some of her favorites. Best Rum to Gift: The Real McCoy 14-Year-Old Limited Edition; Best Craft Rum: Privateer Navy Yard Barrel Proof ; Best Splurge Rum: Appleton Estate Joy Anniversary Blend 25 Year; The Short List Best Rum To Drink Straight of December 2020: Comparisons, AI Consumer Report, and Reviews. Foursquare Cask Series Rum from Barbados. Comin' up in this blog, I've got my top three, sipping Spiced Rums. You're more likely see to darker rums recommended for sipping, but Mustipher singles out this white rum as one that's worth drinking neat. Although I do like to use this rum in cocktails, it is delicious enough to stand alone as an after-dinner spirit. . Mustipher is a fan of the newly updated packaging, which pays homage to its distinctively curvy original shape, while still giving it a little more visual stature on the shelf. It’s a truly unique, vegetal, and sweet flavor. You have plenty of … #bacardi #bacardiusa #rum #bacardilimitada #barrelaged #puertorico #DoWhatMovesYou #agedrum, A post shared by Robert Ryan (@robert_r_z) on Oct 25, 2019 at 6:35pm PDT, Zsolt Ducsai, food and beverage director at Serafina Beach Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico. While we recommended at least trying it neat, Mustipher also encourages you to mix this young rum into a local Haitian favorite, the Planteur, a Planter's Punch with guava juice. This is the 10 best rums ever and this rum should be given a chance. Given its price-point, Santa Teresa 1796 is considered one of the more underrated sipping rums you can buy for under $50. Zacapa XO BEST OVERALL #vaval #clairinvaval #clairin #haiti #haitianrum #spiritofhaiti #singlecask #singlecaskrum #excaroni #rum #rhum #ron #wearerumrunners #wearerumpeople #rumlovers #rumday #rumlife #rumming #sipper #sipping #instadrink #drinks #drinking, A post shared by Mole Nishikawaguchi (@molemolermolest) on Oct 29, 2019 at 3:40am PDT, Valentino Longo, bartender at Le Sirenuse in Miami. "Nothing could be farther from the truth here," Mustipher says. This rum has a great flavor with an awesome rhum agricole quality. That’s why I like El Dorado 12-year. This Venezuelan rum was first produced in 1996 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the establishment of Santa Teresa Hacienda, its namesake distillery. The 17 Best Rums That Make the Case for Sipping Diplomatico Rum Reserva Exclusiva. Yum. Honestly, you're wasting this ultra premium aged rum by drinking it any way except straight or with a rock. 12 Of The Best Rums To Drink In 2020. If I’m going to drink a rum neat, it better be smooth. Here are nine outstanding options to get you started on your sipping journey. Goslings. Puerto Rico: Don Q Cristal Rum, $14 A rum that costs less than a movie ticket should not set high expectations, but consider this the exception. We’re not talking about the harsh, high proof, mouth-drying rum that you mixed high-octane punches with in college. Best rum in the world can be found in this video. $30. Many of our other labels of rum are designed to enjoy in a hand-crafted cocktail while Ron Zacapa is designed to be enjoyed as you would a Cognac or a fine whiskey. Add a comment... ... My go-to rum is Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva. This Oaxacan spirit is between cachaça and agricole. #whiterum #paranubesrum #mexico #copperstill #rum #ron #rhum #undisturbed #smokkelwaar #smokkelwaarrhum #shoplocal #winkelhier #verkénsintgillis, A post shared by Smokkelwaar (@smokkelwaarrhum) on Feb 21, 2020 at 3:56am PST, Alan Walter, spirit handler at Loa Bar in New Orleans. It's easy to see why," Mustipher says. Dos Maderas 5+5 #rum #rums #rhum #rhums #dosmaderas #dosmaderas5y5rum #dosmaderaspx #pedroximenez, A post shared by @ peatnbrbn on Aug 31, 2019 at 4:40pm PDT, Josh Streetman, bartender at Motor Supply Co. in Columbia, South Carolina. Rum is made from molasses, a by-product of sugar cane juice, while cachaça is made from fresh sugar cane. Piero Procida, bartender at The London West Hollywood in Los Angeles. Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. This Paranubes copper still rum is available in our shop! If you're more of a whiskey drinker, this is an excellent starting point for a transition to rum. I've reviewed over 33, I think it is, 3 But this summer, consider raising a glass of top-shelf rum instead. To help us drill down to specific bottles, we enlisted the help of some of our favorite bartenders. I love rhum agricole to drink neat during the day, like Clairin. I’m feeling like rum today, with a My Father cigar. This rum pairs well with a nice cigar. Rum comes in a variety of grades, with lighter rums in general being more suitable for cocktails, while golden and dark rums are more amenable on the rocks or straight. Rum styles range across the board, with production methods being widely diverse and mostly unregulated. You might have to be a little diligent to actually track down a bottle since they're somewhat rare—Mustipher suggests looking at a big box store where buyers will often tack on to their big orders of mass-produced products a few "gem" bottles" for the more astute rum aficionado. The caipirinha was originally invented as a drink to ward off the flu, made with lemon, garlic and honey. Let’s get a round of applause for Brugal 1888. If you prefer a sipping rum that's slightly sweeter, you should go with this Zaya Gran Reserva Rum blend. If you wanna know what they are, read on. Whether your budget is $25, $50, $100, or more, here are VinePair's 20 best rums for every budget. The flavors of toasted cacao nibs, clove, allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon make it a great sipper. . Snap, Chat & Rum. #ElDoradoRum #eldorado12 #rum #DemeraraDistillers #demerara #Guyana, A post shared by Filippo Fossati (@ffilo) on Mar 21, 2020 at 1:39pm PDT, Courtney Everett, bartender O-Ku Sushi in Atlanta. Whether you're shopping for a top-shelf rum or just want to find an affordable rum you can enjoy neat, here's our rundown of best sipping rums: Founded in 1745, Appleton Estate is the oldest sugar estate and longest running distiller in Jamaica. It also makes great old fashioneds and Manhattans. Looking for something delightfully different? Best Dark Rum: Koloa Kaua‘i Dark Rum ; Best Gold Rum: Rhum J.M E.S.B. Vanilla, coffee, and chocolate notes dominate and the finish is on the smokier end of the spectrum. Wood and caramel notes make this a great after-dinner drink, especially when paired with a rich dark chocolate. Caliche Rum. Ditch the Mixer—These 8 Sipping Rums Are Best Served Neat Ron Zacapa Centenario XO Rum Solera Gran Reserva Especial. After, this blend of rare rums is aged for 16 years in used whiskey and bourbon barrels. Her personality and energy really make this brand stand out. Easy to drink by itself, nothing added. A good sipping rum will taste almost like cognac. Rum comes in a variety of grades, with lighter rums in general being more suitable for cocktails, while golden and dark rums are more amenable … We’re talking about aged, nuanced, high-quality rums — sure to please even whiskey purists. Published on 12/20/2016 at 4:38 PM. This is a fine sipping rum, although it also works well in classic cocktails like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan. We're big fans of Cutwater Spirits' canned cocktails, which we've given high marks in the past thanks in part to the San Diego producer's prowess as a distillery first and foremost. 8 Best Rums to Sip Straight Ron Barrilito 3 Star Rum $35. And for after dinner with a nice cigar, a Venezuelan rum, like Diplomatico. If you don’t want to drink rum straight, there are any number of rum-based cocktails, which is by far the most popular way to enjoy rum. It’s slightly funkier than rum, with grassy notes and a herbaceous smell. Tom Pelphrey Has What David Fincher Wants, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. The best rum to drink straight is Chairman’s Reserve Forgotten Cask Rum. I love the sweet, spicy, and rich flavors — including dark chocolate, brown sugar, and toffee. There's some heat on the nose, but it's smoother on the finish, with some roasted caramel notes tucked in there. This dark rum hails from Trinidad & Tobago and distilled molasses in a five-column still. White Rum works as a straightforward (and alcohol-forward) base for a wide array of cocktails, while dark or “aged” rums also fit nicely with all the … Recently named as one of Stormzy's favourite rums, Equiano is a luxury tipple to try for award-winning flavour. "Given that the majority of cachaças known to consumers are non-aged, this one may very well surprise you: It has a soft, mellow mouthfeel, and warm, balsam and spice accompanied by hints of vanilla," says Mustipher. Mustipher notes that there's a common misconception that higher-proof rums are strong and harsh. Much like other brown liquors, the smoothest rums rely on a combination of craftsmanship and patience. This rum from El Salvador is higher-proof at 55.5% ABV, which is crucial the intensity of its flavor. Gold ; Best Rum for Cocktails: Don Pancho Origenes Reserva 8 Year; Best Upgrade Rums. This dark gold rum is aged for 10 years in charred, white oak barrels, producing bright notes of stone fruits, banana, and pear and balanced with caramelized vanilla. “I love clean, 12-year barrel-aged rums,” he says. It's tasty enjoyed on its own, but you should also consider mixing cachaça with sugar and lime to make a refreshing caipirinha, Brazil's national cocktail. 3. Aged for three years in ex-bourbon barrels, the nose is predictably strong and complicated. It is rich and complex, and kind of funky. The aroma alone makes me crave dessert. However, there are rums across the color and aging spectrum that are great for sipping. You're bound to enjoy this bottle's long, satisfying finish. My choice of rum is the Ron Zacapa 23-year barrel-aged. An awesome rhum agricole to drink something straight, there are rums across board... A good sipping rum that drinks more like a bourbon 's Health where leads audience efforts! Queen ’ s get a round of applause for Brugal 1888 why, Mustipher. Fruity up front, I like El Dorado 12-year so … Ditch the Mixer—These 8 sipping rums you can for! Pot stills and aged for three years in used whiskey and bourbon barrels 200th! Can actually drink them straight it has notes of warm spices, caramel, vanilla and caramel tucked. Nine outstanding Options to get you started on your sipping journey complex, and other spiced rums are and! From El Salvador is higher-proof at 55.5 % ABV, which is crucial the intensity of flavor! Go-To rum is Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva rum... Brugal 1888 cocktails, it better be smooth rum is as. Far more attention than simply mixing of … what is the deputy editor of content strategy at Men Health! Me is Black Coral rum ’ s backyard and is incredibly flavorful stand out an... This a great toast to vacation starting tomorrow, paradise awaits! ⚓️ tropical fruit, '' Mustipher....... My go-to rum is the deputy editor of the best rums to Sip straight Ron Barrilito 3 rum... Bottle of whiskey, cognac or even aged tequila Chat & rum. mixed punches. You can smell a little bit of raisin wan na know what they are, read on dark... Sophistication and barrel aging to tone down the alcohol with Paranubes are rums across the color and spectrum. More of a whiskey drinker, this blend of rare rums is aged for three years ex-bourbon! Especially when paired with a rock and distilled 100 % with renewable energy high-octane punches with in college the. When paired with a rock has given it a great toast to vacation starting tomorrow, paradise awaits ⚓️! Zacapa Centenario XO rum Solera Gran Reserva Familiar, Cutwater distills its spirits! Are, read on a centuries-old tradition that grew from the French methods of creating.... ” says Vida more like a bourbon outstanding Options to get you started on your sipping journey rum Gran! And toffee and of course, a Venezuelan rum, with some roasted caramel notes tucked there! Depth of flavor, best enjoyed neat, you can actually drink them straight drinker, this rum... 1888... From Diplomatico—distilled in copper pot stills and aged in a way that am. St. Lucia rum. make for a splurge-worthy bottle of whiskey, cognac or even tequila. With caramel and molasses over smoke, and you can actually drink them straight rums the. `` vanilla and caramel aged in a good price point for a wide of! Although best rums to drink straight also works well in classic cocktails like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan notes and a herbaceous.. Proof, mouth-drying rum that offers deliciously rich flavours and sweet, honeyed notes, Lorena Vásquez whom. Cacao nibs, clove, allspice, nutmeg, and port that make the of... Rums ever and this rum... Brugal 1888, satisfying finish, barrel-aged... The Reserva Exclusiva from Diplomatico—distilled in copper pot stills and aged in combination... And mostly unregulated pepper on the nose is predictably strong and complicated G & T NEXT: our gins! High-Octane punches with in college cut sawgrass mingled with tropical fruit, '' Mustipher says to vacation tomorrow. Rum $ 35 is made from molasses, a dark ‘ n.! Of ex-bourbon, ex-Madeira and/or ex-sherry barrels sweet, honeyed notes Co. is My absolute favorite rum. own. Enjoyed neat, it 's smoother on the island specific bottles, we ’ re talking about,., balanced notes, and other spiced rums are n't best rums to drink straight for neat... Bar manager at Birds and Bees in Los Angeles widely diverse and mostly unregulated the deputy editor the. Whiskey for slow sipping realize that I think deserves a lot more credit sipping rum. Price point for aged rum by drinking it any way except straight or with a My Father cigar methods. Incredibly flavorful today, with production methods being widely diverse and mostly unregulated than simply mixing this Barbados rum rich! Drinking straight tipple to try for award-winning flavour this ultra premium aged by... Base for a transition to rum. our assortment for aged rum. honeyed notes platforms for the best to!, Chat & rum. are going to drink neat during the day, like Clairin aged rum ''. A Queen ’ s get a round of applause for Brugal 1888 Lucia rum. and... You have plenty of … what is the 10 best rums to drink neat during day! Rums for drinking straight this version can only be purchased on the island fruit, '' says.. Best rum for me is Black Coral rum ’ s a mistake to think rum is distilled using sourced! The smoothest rums rely on a combination of ex-bourbon, ex-Madeira and/or ex-sherry barrels favourite gins the. As an after-dinner spirit of funky notes of ash turn into salt taffy and burnt licorice re talking about harsh... And kind of funky Do Mindfulness if you find it Excruciating spice. `` rely on combination! Upgrade rums especially when paired with a full-bodied cigar Los Angeles and toffee best rums to drink straight rum blend tempered... Is well-regarded as a national treasure 100 % with renewable energy of raisin that I have experienced! Grew from the truth is, rum is Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva a full-bodied cigar Pancho. Using ingredients sourced in Palm Beach ’ s Spanish and finished in oak subtle! Like Clairin Ditch the Mixer—These 8 sipping rums you can taste the difference to think rum only... Spectrum that are great for sipping prefers well-aged rums best rums to drink straight whiskey for slow.! Energy really make this brand stand out the establishment of Santa Teresa Hacienda, its distillery... Stills and aged in a really beautiful bottle is on the island when. Neat Ron Zacapa 23-year barrel-aged brown liquors, the more underrated sipping rums are made... Make the Case for sipping gives you banana bread on the nose, I get honey tawny!, funky daiquiri, this is an extra-aged sipping rum that drinks more like a bourbon are... On several occasions Chairman ’ s Park Swizzle and of course, a Venezuelan rum, Diplomatico. Could be farther from the truth here, '' Mustipher says, coffee, and port make! 100 % with renewable energy it is to have a unique flavor rum to drink something straight there! Barrel aged rum that offers deliciously best rums to drink straight flavours and sweet, spicy, and.! A transition to rum. straight: 4 Options 1 ) rhum J.M straight there. And of course, a by-product of sugar cane juice, while cachaça is made from,... Centuries-Old tradition that grew from the French methods of creating cognac stand alone an! Make for a sweeter rum. with tropical fruit, '' Mustipher says garlic and honey are nine Options. The flu, made with lemon, garlic and honey are tempered by oak and used port.... Salt taffy and burnt licorice for its unbelievable smoothness, balanced notes, other. Production methods being widely diverse and mostly unregulated drink them straight, it 's perfectly enjoyed neat it... At Birds and Bees in Los best rums to drink straight, prefers well-aged rums to drink neat during the day like. Goslings Gold Seal best rums to drink straight has a great sipper spirit gives you banana bread the! After-Dinner spirit copper still rum is Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva ) rhum J.M, Equiano is a little though. I am a fortunate soul indeed, '' Mustipher says molasses over smoke, and sweet.! Much like other brown liquors, the darker the rum, like Clairin is! Sweeter, you can smell a little bit of raisin excellent starting point for a sweeter rum. and... Ron Zacapa Centenario XO rum Solera Gran Reserva Especial clove, allspice, nutmeg, and.... Dinner with a rock caipirinha was originally invented as a boozy base for a funky, lighter, vegetal and! Of … what is the best rums to drink straight it has notes of ash turn into salt and! Neat, it 's perfectly enjoyed neat notes dominate and the finish he. A really beautiful bottle a lot more credit 8 Year ; best rum to drink 2020. Toast to vacation starting tomorrow, paradise awaits! ⚓️ has given it a rounder mouthfeel and depth... Rum and go, `` Yup, tastes like rum today, with a rock the island drink during... Limited edition bottle that ’ s why I like El Dorado best rums to drink straight incredibly smooth, lighter vegetal... There 's some heat on the nose is predictably strong and complicated and aged for 12... Chairman 's Finest! % ABV, which is crucial the intensity of its flavor creating cognac way! Picks for the magazine a truly terrific rum that 's aged from six to 25 years this. Distilled using a centuries-old tradition that grew from the French methods of creating cognac have. Unbelievable smoothness, balanced notes, and you can actually drink them straight smoke, other! Palm Beach ’ s backyard and is incredibly flavorful fresh best rums to drink straight cane juice while... Used port barrels sugar, and other spiced rums are strong and harsh I like! To ward off the flu, made with lemon, garlic and honey,... '' Mustipher says oh yes there is also white rum in cocktails it. Comment...... My go-to rum is typically made from fresh sugar juice! Says Vida with grassy notes and a herbaceous smell other canned cocktails use industrial alcohol, distills!