Quality & Flavor

The 10 best rums in the world for a perfect sip

Take a world-tour of the finest aged rums, each crafted for maximum depth and enjoyment neat

By: Andrea Pérez, Susana Baticón

MAY 30, 2025 2:41 PM EDTMAY 30, 2025, 2:41 PM EDT

Rum traces its roots to Caribbean hotspots like Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Venezuela, regions where sugarcane farms have thrived for centuries, supplying the heart of every great rum. Traditionally, it was a favorite of sailors and pirates for its ease of storage and transport aboard ships; rum even served as a form of currency in maritime trade. Today, those same historic distilleries produce the best Caribbean rums you can buy in U.S. liquor stores and online retailers.

From light, mixable white rums to full-bodied, barrel-aged expressions, top rum brands transform cane molasses or fresh-pressed juice into spirits with layered aromas of vanilla, oak, spice and tropical fruit. Whether you’re building classic cocktails like a Mojito or Daiquiri or like to enjoy a pour neat, these premium aged rums deliver a tasting experience you’ll want to explore sip by slow sip.

Here are 10 of the finest aged rums guaranteed to elevate your home bar and rum tasting adventures.

1/10

Barceló Imperial

Hailing from the Dominican Republic, every Barceló rum meets the country’s strict regulations: producers must grow their own cane, ferment, distill and then age the spirit in oak barrels on Dominican soil for at least one year.

Barceló Imperial is the most iconic expression. Crafted from meticulously managed sugarcane, the purest water and first-use American oak barrels (formerly bourbon), it’s aged under the island’s perfect climate. Aromas of buttercream, dried cherries, vanilla, pineapple jam and caramelized nuts give way on the palate to a full, exuberant body with notes of carrot-cake ice cream, cola nut, mocha and toasted oak.

2/10

Brugal Doble Reserva

Another Dominican gem is the Brugal Doble Reserva. A rum that strikes a perfect balance between tradition and innovation. This smooth, well-balanced rum is a blend of spirits aged in both sherry and whiskey barrels, harmonizing woodsy and sweet notes.

Its elegant, modern bottle reflects a 135-year legacy and commitment to excellence. Double-aged, it offers spicy, citrus and tropical fruit aromas alongside red-berry undertones. On the tongue, it’s fruity, spiced and toasty, finishing dry with a whisper of sweetness.

3/10

Santa Teresa 1796

A refined Venezuelan rum marrying local tradition with Speyside-style Scotch whisky elegance, Santa Teresa 1796 is dry, smooth and exquisitely balanced. Its flavor profile, wood, dried spices, malt, toffee, dates, nuts and apricot appeals to both rum aficionados and whisky lovers.

Produced at Hacienda Santa Teresa in Aragua, where cane is grown, musts are distilled, aged and bottled, this brand boasts over 220 years of heritage. Since 2004, it has held Venezuela’s Controlled Designation of Origin for rum.

4/10

Zacapa Centenario 23 Gran Reserva Solera

Distilled in Guatemala and distributed by Diageo, Zacapa Centenario 23 is a multi-award-winning marvel. Its 23-year solera process unfolds in three stages: first in American bourbon barrels, then in Sherry and Pedro Ximénez casks.

Launched in 1976 to celebrate Zacapa’s centenary, it’s elegant yet approachable, offering aromas of caramel, vanilla and nuts, plus spicy, toasty notes on the finish with a gentle sweetness.

5/10

Diplomático Reserva

Owned by Brown-Forman, this Venezuelan super-premium rum made history when Wine Enthusiast crowned it “Spirit Brand of the Year” in 2018, the first rum ever to earn that title.

Crafted from pure cane honey and aged up to 12 years in oak, it captivates with orange peel, toffee, caramel and licorice aromas, and a long, flavorful finish of toast and vanilla.

6/10

Insólito de Ron Matusalem

The world’s first pink rum, Insólito Matusalem, seduces with both elegance and originality. Limited to just 8,000 bottles, this blend of aged rums is charcoal-filtered and matures three years in Tempranillo barrels, yielding a delicate rosé hue.

Hand-carved bottles house a sensory journey of fruit, tea, vanilla and sweet spices, an ode to its Cuban-Spanish founders who, in 1872, distilled rum in the style of brandy and Sherry.

7/10

Flor de Caña Centenario 12 Years

Nicaragua’s Flor de Caña is the world’s first Carbon Neutral, sustainably produced spirit. With family-run roots dating back to 1890, it’s distilled using 100% renewable energy and naturally aged at the foot of an active volcano, no sugar or artificial ingredients added.

The 12-year expression opens with red-berry, honey and toasted-nut aromas, leading to vanilla and spice on the palate with a long, silky finish.

8/10

Arehucas Añejo Selección Familiar 18 Years

From Gran Canaria’s historic Arehucas distillery, founded 1884 and royal supplier since 1885, this family-owned rum is aged 18 years to remarkable depth.

Expect pronounced notes of wild rosehip, fresh cane juice, sponge cake, oak and vanilla. Its rich bouquet and elegant structure reflect a century-plus of craftsmanship.

9/10

Arguably the world’s most renowned rum, Havana Club was founded in 1878 by José Arechabala and nationalized in 1960. Today, it’s co-owned by Pernod Ricard and Corporación Cuba Ron. The Selección de Maestros expression undergoes a two-stage aging: first in older oak barrels, then blended and finished in specially selected younger casks.

Intensely aromatic with pecan and smoky hints, it delivers bold flavors of cacao, coffee, sweet tobacco and toasted spice, ideal neat or in classic cocktails like the Daiquiri, Mojito or Cubalibre.

10/10

Mount Gay XO

Barbados’ oldest rum distillery, Mount Gay, has been crafting spirits since 1703. The XO expression blends rums aged between 8 and 15 years in charred American oak barrels, delivering lush aromas of banana bread, vanilla and sun-ripened tropical fruits.

On the palate, you’ll find rich oak, nutmeg and warm baking spices alongside dark chocolate undertones. The finish is medium-long, with toasted almonds and a hint of black pepper lingering gracefully.