See full version: Best sipping rums in the world
About Tanduay Gold Rum (SRP: $19.99/750mL; 40% ABV)
A full-bodied rum with a deep golden hue, Tanduay Gold is aged up to 7 years in bourbon barrels, with a taste profile of mature honey with hints of toasted oak, almond, and vanilla.
In the U.S., Tanduay Gold and Silver Rums are currently available in California, New York, Florida, and Illinois. Tanduay’s U.S. volume grew 114% YOY, comparing the first half of 2018 to the first half of 2017. In April 2018, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition named Tanduay Silver Rum “Best White Rum” and gave it a double gold medal; that same month, the Beverage Testing Institute (Tastings.com) gave Tanduay Gold Rum a gold medal, rated it 93 points, and called it “Exceptional.”
Tanduay has executed varied, nimble marketing activities across the U.S. over the last 12 months. For example, Tanduay was named an Official Partner of the Golden State Warriors and opened a Tanduay Rum Club inside of Oracle Arena. Tanduay is also The Official Rum of Barclays Center and the Brooklyn Nets; Presenting Sponsor of the 40/40 CLUB; as well as Associate Sponsor of the arena's BROOKLYN SHOW platform. Tanduay was also featured at events ranging from a James Beard House dinner to the Daytime Emmy Awards to a private event with Cardi B. In California, Tanduay Rum can now be found at retailers in Golden State Warriors blue and gold “Strength in Numbers” collectable boxes. [links]
Tanduay’s exceptional tradition in making rum dates back to 1854. The sugarcane fields are planted on volcanic soils in the Philippines’ humid sub-tropical climate and fed by pure spring waters, all of which contribute to Tanduay’s distinctive taste. The rums destined to go into Tanduay Silver are aged for up to 5 years, while the rums destined for the Gold expression are aged up to 7, both in bourbon oak barrels. The company is currently ageing approximately 120,000 200-liter barrels to meet future demand. [links]
We’re #1! Tanduay is officially the world’s best-selling rum @tanduayusa #DistinctlyFilipino Tweet here
About Tanduay Silver Rum (SRP: $19.99/750mL; 40% ABV)
Aged up to 5 years in bourbon barrels, and lightly filtered to bring down its color to a light golden hue yet keeping its flavor and character. The palate is well-balanced and rich, with notes of green ripe fruits with hints of burnt sugar, mandarin, and vanilla. [links]
From Brooklyn, NY: Distilled from grade A, non-GMO molasses in Bushwick, Brooklyn, Owney’s Rum harkens back to the prohibition era, when rum distillation was not uncommon in New York City. The Noble Experiment NYC, founded by Bridgit Firtle, is currently the only rum distillery in Brooklyn. (We’ll see how long they can say that.) more
From Scotland (by way of Cuba): Samaroli’s other sought-after bottle of rum goes by the name “Caribbean” only in the US. Elsewhere? It’s called “Cuba.” Same bottle — same label, even, save for the one word. But what’s in a name? As with the Demerara, the rum was distilled in the country noted by the title — so we’ll say “the Caribbean”, for Signori Samaroli’s sake — and aged for 7 years in casks in Scotland. more
From Ipswich, MA: But if you’d prefer to keep it in the homeland, look no further than Privateer International. Based just outside of Boston in Ipswich, Massachusetts, Privateer seeks to restore and renew Colonial rum aesthetics. The “True American” aged rum is made from grade A American molasses and boiled brown sugar, double distilled, aged in French, American and Hungarian oak barrels and finished in Bourbon, brandy and sherry casks. Learn more about their methods here. more
Tasting Note: Not unlike the Samaroli Demerara, the Caribbean is lighter, with a less overpowering mouthfeel than most, with a pleasing and paradoxically light earthiness balancing out sweet, subtle notes of banana and vanilla. All this, and just a touch of spice.
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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. "In Haiti, Barbancourt is so woven into the fabric of drinking culture that it easily qualifies as a national treasure. It's easy to see why," Mustipher says. This light, clean, approachable rum is distilled using a centuries-old tradition that grew from the French methods of creating cognac. 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.
Where has all the rum gone? Hopefully in a rocks glass.
You'll probably recognize the brand name, but there's a good chance you haven't sampled the world's largest privately held spirits company's more premium offerings. 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. There's also a Gran Reserva Ocho (which is aged for eight years) that's slightly less expensive, but still a good sipper. here
Best Rum Under $30
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— Darnell Holguin, co-founder of Silver Sun Group and beverage partner at Las’ Lap in New York, New York. [links]
“Rhum Clément VSOP is my go-to sipping rum. It has a beautiful herbaceous quality that is met with roasted banana, coffee, and brown sugar. Perfectly complex to be enjoyed on its own, over ice or with your favorite cigar.” more
Whatever and wherever it comes from, when it is done right it should never be cloyingly sweet. The best labels are nuanced and complex, demonstrating all sorts of tonalities ranging from earthy and grassy to smoky and savory. Here are some examples of that versatility as recommended by professional sippers; a handful of rums to be slowly enjoyed as you would a sherried scotch or well-aged Bordeaux.
"The Foursquare Exceptional Cask Series are some of my favorite rums to drink and serve neat because of the honesty, integrity, and transparency with which they are made, what they represent for Barbados, and above all, how delicious they are. They are full-flavored, with well-balanced wood and spice alongside many of the underlying tropical and dried fruit notes that I have to come to expect from Foursquare. Everything is well-integrated, elegant, and refined, and a delight to drink for seasoned rum heads, to whisky and brandy lovers, and to those new to aged spirits. "
— Christian Siglin, of Fernside in San Diego, CA here
Whiskey is no longer the go-to sipping spirit these days. Rum has really come into its own, with aged and dark expressions, as well as unaged white and flavored, that are as complex and delicious as the most sophisticated bourbon or scotch. There are many different brands to choose from, each offering a unique take on the spirit based on geography, maturation method, and distillation. Here are some of the best sipping rums available now, from budget to splurge-worthy, with some advice from experts in the bar industry.
This Venezuelan rum is not cheap but provides one of the most luxurious sipping experiences in the dark aged rum category. Diplomatico Ambassador is matured in ex-bourbon barrels for at least 12 years before being finished in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks for another two. This finishing process, frequently used in scotch whisky, is the defining feature of this rum, imbuing it with a rich brown color and sweet and spicy notes.
Facundo Paraiso is an ultra-premium expression from Bacardi, one of the best-known names in rum worldwide. “It uses rums aged up to 23 years,” says Brendan Bartley, head bartender for Bathtub Gin Speakeasy Bar. “Once blended, it’s finished in ex-cognac barrels. The French oak gives the rum a softer oak finish, letting the beautiful sophisticated flavors come through. The nose gives you vanilla, biscuit, cherry, and milk chocolate qualities, and the palate gives more richness of nuttiness, stewed fruits, salted caramel qualities.”