Best Rum To Buy Online: Top 10 Rum Brands

1. Flor de Caña 18 Year Old Centenario

Although it’s far from the most expensive rum, Flor de Caña offers an authentic and natural experience with its carefully crafted concoctions. While some brands will add an age statement according to the oldest batch used in a blend, this expression only features 18-year-old rum.

They’re aged in different American oak ex-bourbon casks and then blended before bottling to create a consistent flavour. Flor de Caña adds no sugars, colourings, or additives. Therefore, it produces a refined and elegant flavour profile, which you can learn more about in our full review.

2. Admiral Rodney HMS Princessa

A modest and little-known brand from the small island of Saint Lucia, Admiral Rodney is a fascinating distiller. In Saint Lucia’s history, the island had been fought over by the British and French no less than 14 times!

Admiral Rodney pays homage to the ships that broke the French blockade’s line in the final battle that decided the island’s fate. Meanwhile, the HMS Princessa was one of the first ships to engage the French at the Battle of the Saints.

Its balanced flavour profile is remarkably delicate for an English-style rum. While others can be quite verbose, HMS Princessa is refined with notes of vanilla and tobacco.

3. Barceló Imperial

Voted the best rum in the world by the Beverage Testing Institute of Chicago twice in a row, Barceló offers great value given its modest price. Additionally, the brand is the first rum to have obtained Carbon Neutral Status under the Bilan Carbone License.

Aged in ex-bourbon barrels for up to 10 years, it delivers a unique bouquet of red apples with hints of pear and caramel. If you have a modest budget, it’s a must-have for your drinks cabinet.

4. Foursquare Nobiliary

Foursquare is another small English-style brand that has distinguished itself thanks to its artisanal approach. Its rum is distilled using a traditional copper pot still with a twin column Coffey still, which is then aged for no less than 14 years.

At 62% ABV, it’s the strongest rum on this list and it could even be considered an overproof rum. Furthermore, it features no sugar, colouring, or any other additives.

Consequently, it’s a smooth and balanced rum with a harmonious and gentle tableau of flavours.

5. Appleton Estate 21 Year Old

Jamaica’s celebrated J. Wray and Nephew distillery is well-known for its Appleton Estate rum. Lavish and richly-flavoured, it’s a defining specimen of the English-style of rum production with a bold bouquet and a velvety mouthfeel.

A discernably premium option, this expression is aged for no less than 21 years. This is a detail worth mentioning as many age statements indicate the oldest rather than the youngest batch used in the blend.

6. Mount Gay XO Rum

Mount Gay is an English-style rum that operates from Barbados like Foursquare. The expression’s name, “X.O.”, shouldn’t be regarded as an age statement but rather than it is aged in cognac casks.

The process offers a greater level of complexity with a distinctive roundness in its flavour and mouthfeel. It delivers notes of dark chocolate with hints of dates and baking spices.

7. Ron Brugal 1888 Gran Reserva

Another excellent expression from the Dominican Republic, Brugal’s 1888 blend is composed of rum first aged for between 6 and 8 years in ex-bourbon casks before being transferred to sherry barrels for at least 6 years.

It reveals a bold vanilla flavour profile with hints of citrus over a light and delicate mouthfeel. For the price, it’s a worthwhile addition to your collection!

8. Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva

A classic and celebrated rum that is well-known around the world, Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva offers a great balance between flavour and price point. Its spirits are aged for up to 12 years in white oak ex-bourbon casks.

Its syrupy mouthfeel and bold flavours are instantly recognisable and the Reserva Exclusiva is very easy to drink. It’s a versatile choice for accompanying a wide range of cigars without feeling either under or overpowered.

9. Ron Zacapa 23

Zacapa is a Guatemalan distiller that has embraced the Spanish tradition of Solera ageing, which you can learn about in our guide on how rum is made.

As a result, the batches of different ages mature together, marrying their flavours and varying levels of maturity. Zacapa’s solera can contain spirits that are up to 23 years old. During the ageing process, the spirit is transferred between American whiskey, sherry, and Pedro Ximénez wine barrels.

Consequently, it has a lively flavour with a rich spectrum of aromas and notes. Although a bottle will contain rum as young as 6 years old, it’s remarkably mature with a playful palate.

10. Santa Teresa 1796

Often overlooked in favour of Diplomático, Santa Teresa is another Venezuelan rum brand. Known for its penchant for rugby, the German-founded brand has also mastered the Solera system for ageing its rum.

Its barrels contain rum that is up to 35 years old, which is matured using French Limousin and American white ex-bourbon oak. The result is a wonderfully rounded flavour profile with a balanced body yet delicate and savoury notes of tobacco and labdanum.