Prime shelf rum is turning into simpler and simpler to seek out — and more durable and more durable to pin down right into a cohesive prime 10 listing. For the fifth 12 months, we’ve tried all the identical, trying again on the 12 months that simply ended to pick our 10 favourite bottlings. Sadly, most of the value tags on these rums are pretty luxe — with bottles almost 30 years outdated, single barrels, one-off experiments, or the entire above. Apologies upfront if it’s a must to select between one among these and that new Xbox.
As all the time, you’ll find extra nice choices on our earlier prime 10 rums of 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019. You may as well search a number of shops at wine-searcher to seek out the perfect costs on all these merchandise and extra.
1. LM&V Flag Collection Guyana 1998 – A single cask launch from the rum wizards at La Maison & Velier: This monster of a rum spent 2 years in bourbon barrels in Guyana, adopted by 22 in Europe, in Port casks. Dense with molasses and barrel char, the rum takes you on a journey to espresso bean, cola, chocolate, and extra – all filtered by way of the inimitable fruit that Port barrel growing old gives. Evenly however appropriately candy and impossibly wealthy with taste, it’s the one A+ ranking we gave to a rum in 2023. 118 proof. $300
2. Appleton Property Rum 17 Years Outdated Legend – The mai tai is arguably my favourite cocktail, and the rum that impressed it was a bottling of Wray & Nephew, made at Appleton again within the Forties. Final 12 months, the distillery determined to recreate the flavour of this prized rum utilizing some well-aged inventory, all 17 years outdated or extra, similar to the W&N authentic. The experiment was an enormous success, and whereas it’s onerous to fathom placing a $500 rum right into a tiki drink, I did it anyway. The spicy, earthy, peppery qualities of the rum labored completely within the drink. After all, you may as well sip it solo in case you’re into that type of factor. 98 proof. $500 [BUY IT NOW FROM RESERVEBAR]
3. Plantation Rum Fiji Islands 2009 – Our prime choose from Plantation’s 2023 “Beneath the Sea” assortment was this 100% pot nonetheless rum from Fiji, 13 years outdated – 10 on the island, 3 in France. Blatantly fruit-forward and in your face, it’s a tropical fruit bomb, layered with coconut, burnt sugar, and a raisiny underbelly. It’s a bit candy owing to a light-weight sugar dosage, so plan accordingly – we predict the additional enhance of sweetness works delightfully nicely within the combine right here. 99 proof. $75
4. Appleton Property Rum Hearts Assortment 1993 29 Years Outdated – The oldest however not the costliest rum on this listing is a brand new rarity from Jamaica’s Appleton, a well-aged, pot-distilled rarity that simply retains coming and coming at you. Cherry, torched marshmallow, barrel char… it’s all folded right into a dense core thick with molasses and untamed by time. Be free with the water. 126 proof. $300 [BUY IT NOW FROM RESERVEBAR]
5. Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum Barbados 2002 Pot Nonetheless – Pure pot nonetheless rum from the Foursquare distillery which spent 20 years growing old within the UK earlier than bottling. The very essence of Barbados’ most famous distillery is on full show right here, loaded with dense molasses and woody tannin, layered with overripe citrus beneath. Keep it up because it wants time to develop in glass earlier than showcasing its charms in full – that are many, assorted, and pleasant. 102.2 proof. $349
6. Isautier Conventional 16 Years Outdated – Isautier is hardly a family identify within the rum world – it’s based mostly on Reunion Island, within the Indian Ocean – however this bottling from LM&V might assist to alter that. The hearty column distillate, which went into barrel in 2006, however time in glass ultimately makes approach for a stunning fruitiness – blueberries, blue raspberries, then coconut and vanilla. It’s altogether a wall of taste that in the end finds its approach to a vibrant, tiki celebration. 114 proof. $150
7. Papa’s Pilar Rum Legacy Version 2022 – Boutique rum-maker Papa’s Pilar drops restricted version rums at a daily clip. This expression, which we didn’t see till early 2023, might be the perfect one but, a mix of rums from Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Venezuela, and Florida that’s completed in French oak apple brandy casks. Complicated and holiday-friendly, the rum showcases baking spice, chocolate, orange peel, and different wintry notes you don’t typically discover within the rum world. 88 proof. $100
8. Bhakta Jamaican Rum 1990 – Raj Bhakta acquired began with brandy. Now he’s turned his sights to rum as nicely, beginning with this vintage-dated mix of two Jamaican rums, one from 1990 and the opposite from 1985. Completed in Armagnac casks, it’s a one-off, cask-strength monster that may by no means be repeated. Whereas its unbelievable age suggests a frightening expertise, the flavour is definitely fairly gentle and energetic, with florals, citrus, and ample sweetness. Gentler than its abv would counsel. 124 proof. $500
9. Bayou Rum Reserve Choose Barrel – 2023 marked our first spherical with Louisiana-based Bayou Rum, which is placing out quite a lot of spectacular, high-end, and progressive merchandise. Our favourite so far is batch #2 of this providing, a pot nonetheless rum that’s solera-aged in bourbon barrels. Brilliant notes of citrus begin issues off earlier than shifting into extra conventional fare – candy with molasses and spice, then berries and fig jam. Glorious, particularly at this value. 80 proof. $45 [BUY IT NOW FROM THE BOTTLE CLUB] [BUY IT NOW FROM RESERVEBAR]
10. Mount Homosexual Single Property Collection 23_01 – In 2023, Barbados’ Mount Homosexual launched a rum that was the primary of its sort for the distillery: Rum created from estate-grown sugar cane. A tiny plot of some hundred acres needed to be harvested over two years, and the ensuing rum is a mix of 5 and 6 12 months outdated spirit. It’s a well-recognized bottling for the operation, pretty heavy on char with an earthy, savory high quality that masks the underlying fruit for a time. Whereas extra spectacular for its creation and uniqueness, it’s nonetheless very fulfilling by itself deserves. 110 proof. $400
