Best Rums to Try in 2018

When most people think of rum, they picture the sweet but rough clear liquor that is central to many a tropical cocktail or the best rum cocktails for parties. There is, however, another completely different side to the spirit. Though it often takes a backseat to whiskies like bourbon and scotch, aged rum is a unique and delicious beverage that can be enjoyed by alcohol enthusiasts worldwide. Rum can be produced pretty much anywhere, but it is most popular in the area surrounding the Caribbean islands, including parts of North and South America. This list represents a sampling of some of the best rums from across the region, featuring a wide array of flavor profiles from smooth and fruity to dark and funky. Each rum on this list is delicious in its own way, and learning to enjoy the vast array of regional variances is key to understanding and enjoying one of the world’s most popular spirits.

Ron Zacapa is a blended Guatemalan rum that has enjoyed a surge in popularity over the past several years. Don't let the "23" fool you: the rums that make up this blend range anywhere from six to 23 years. While there are traces of 23-year-old rums in Ron Zacapa, you can be sure that the majority are not so old. Nonetheless, this is a tasty and easy-drinking sipping rum that is a great fit for special occasions when you want to share with friends, especially with such a luxurious bottle. While I can't say this is my personal favorite rum, especially with its high price point compared to similarly styled rums, the Ron Zacapa Centenario is well worth trying, and a perfect bottle for celebrating.

Diplomatico is a Venezuelan rum distillery that cranks our some of the best rums in the world. The crown jewel of their lineup is undoubtedly their Reserva Exclusiva, which is distilled from molasses in copper pot stills and barrel aged for twelve years. If the funkier, oakier flavors of some rums aren’t to your liking, then Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva is right up your alley. This rum features rich brown sugar tasting notes and a delightful aroma of dried fruit, guaranteed to please any palate.

You may recognize the name Angostura from one of the single most ubiquitous cocktail ingredients: Angostura bitters. While Angostura produces the industry standard of cocktail bitters out of their distillery in Trinidad and Tobago, they also have a line of tasty, molasses-y rums. Angostura 1919 is unfortunately not aged for 1919 years: it is, in fact, named in honor of an important year in the company's history. The rum is, however, aged for eight years in ex-bourbon charred oak barrels, making it a perfect option for whiskey enthusiasts trying to dip their toe into the world of sipping rums.

Plantation rum, produced in Barbados, is a goto label among rum enthusiasts. While not their oldest bottle, the 5-year Grande Reserve is one of my personal favorites and one of the best rums for daily use. Most of the flavor of blend comes from the time it spends aging in ex-bourbon barrels. However, it finishes aging in French oak casks, a process that accentuates the dried fruit and vanilla notes in this exquisite rum. If you find you enjoy Plantation's Grande Reserve, seek out their more specialized offerings like the XO and their Pineapple Rum.

Pyrat rum is a unique but approachable rum, produced by the same makers as the iconic Patrón tequila (you'll notice the bottles are a similar shape). Pyrat features many of the sweet flavors you'd expect from a barrel-aged rum like molasses and caramel, but far most prominent is the taste and aroma of orange. In fact, it almost tastes halfway in between a rum and an orange liqueur—in a good way! Pyrat makes a great sipping rum for those new to the genre, as it is smooth, sweet, and easy-drinking. Interestingly, there are no older or younger blends besides the classic: Pyrat XO Reserve is the standalone rum from this distillery.

As you explore the wide variety of rum in the world, you'll notice a few distinct styles. Every island and region has its own particular characteristics, but rhum agricole stands apart as a particularly unique style of rum. Originating in the French Caribbean, rhum agricole is uniquely distilled from sugar cane. While most rums are produced from molasses, the French-influenced agricole style is distilled from cane juice, resulting in a spirit that actually tastes quite different from regular rum. Young or unaged rhum agricole has a dry, vegetal flavor, while older rhums have a more balanced, rich, full flavor similar to cognac. Rhum Barbancourt Estate Reserve, a Haitian rhum, is a fine example of the latter, and one of the more accessible rhums of this style in the US. Plus it's a great rum to stay the winter blues.

For me, the history of rum is one of the most fascinating elements of this storied spirit. While all rum carries a piece of that history, Pusser's British Navy Rum has perhaps the strongest lineage, being a direct descendent of the rum that was distributed to members of the Royal Navy from the 18th century until 1970, when the daily rum ration was abolished. Flavorwise, let's not fool ourselves into thinking Pusser's tastes exactly like the grog distributed to British sailors over a century ago (it probably tastes much better than what they had), but the history is undeniable. Pusser's was founded about a decade after the rum ration was abolished, when an agreement was reached allowing the company to produce rum based on the Royal Navy's original recipe, which blends five rums from the West Indies.

Okay, so I know I said "go beyond the Bacardi," but this gem is an exception. Bacardi's flagship white rum has its place as a mixer and something to use for popular rum cocktails, but it's not something you want to sip straight. This Gran Reserva, however, is a different story. Aged ten years in the Caribbean, this rum has an incredibly smooth and oaky flavor. Complex tropical fruity note can be accessed in the aroma. The Gran Reserva is relatively new, so if you're having trouble finding it, Bacardi also has a slightly younger eight year rum (the "Ocho") which is the next best thing, and must easier to find in store.

Zaya is a label that flies somewhat under the radar. With so many "Gran Reserva" rums even on this small list, it's easy to understand how a couple rums get lost in the noise. Zaya Gran Reserva however, is definitely not a rum to overlook. Distilled and bottled in Trinidad and Tobago, this dark rum has a delightfully well-balanced and full bodied flavor profile due to being barrel aged for 12 years.

I've already mentioned that there are various regional styles of rum. Some of the boldest and most unique rums come from the island of Jamaica. Jamaican rums, such as those from the iconic Appleton Estate distillery, are characterized by a particular funkiness thanks in no small part to the copper pot stills used by distilleries on the island. Appleton Estate Rare Blend is among the finest examples of the Jamaican style, aged enough to provide complexity and a subtle oakiness, but not so much as to overpower the characteristic funk that makes Jamaican rums so interesting. I admit I have a personal bias toward this regional style, but there is no denying Appleton Estate Rare Blend is one of the best rums in the world.