With dark rum on the rise, the amount of choice is overwhelming. There are all kinds of rums, made in different ways and priced at different levels. The dark rum that you fall in love with is of course impossible to predict, but these are some reliably delicious bottles we love to begin your search. And if you already love the Pirate’s Drink and fancy a new go-to, you might just find your new favourite below too.
£15-25
Watson's Trawler Rum
In case you hadn’t already guessed from the name or bottle, this tawny red Dominican rum is in the dark Navy style, using aged spirits from Barbados and Guyana which are blended harmoniously in the UK. A treasure chest of flavours, expect candied orange zest, raisins and prunes, smoky oak, molasses, and toasted sugar. At this price, it’s perfect with just a splash of cola and lime but would also make a stunning Rum Old Fashioned.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £19.09
Havana Club Añejo Especial
A Cuban staple on UK supermarket shelves, Havana is a reliable benchmark for most rums, and their Añejo Especial is no different. Like other Cuban rums, it is light for a darker rum, with delicious soft caramel, spiced oak, honey, cinnamon, and vanilla cream to be enjoyed in a dessert-esque palate. If you’re looking for a well-rounded, mellow and easy-drinking dark rum then look no further. Sip straight or try this in a tasty Mai Tai.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £19.74
O.V.D. Demerara Rum
O.V.D? It stands for Old Vatted Demerara. So yeah, this is Old Vatted Demerara Demerara Rum but that’s not the only reason it’s memorable. Distilled from molasses in a wooden still in Guyana, it is eventually bottled in Glasgow and it’s in the UK that it has developed somewhat of a cult following. Renowned for a modern profile of rich toffee, sultana, buttery caramel, the thick and syrupy mouthfeel is to die for. Keep to cola mixes and mellower cocktails and you really cannot go wrong.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £23.24
£25-£35
Appleton Estate 8 Year Old Reserve
Appleton needed something special to celebrate their 250th birthday and this sweet and velvety smooth rum was the perfect present for themselves and us. Aged for 8 years in Jamaica, the warm spices, honey, and toffee marry together in precise harmony and it scooped Gold at the prestigious San Francisco Spirit Awards. We think this is made for sipping neat but there is no doubting how much it would elevate something like a Dark n Stormy.
Size: UK 700m/ UK 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £29.94 / $32.99
Alnwick Rum
Alnwick is an in-your-face dark rum with a big kick of spice. The recipe goes way back to Northumberland over 90 years ago, and currently uses a blend of rums from Jamaica and Guyana, combined in Holland and bottled in Scotland – what a journey. Gloriously rich with caramel, woody vanilla, Demerara notes and dried raisins, this is a lip-smacking liquid comparable to stronger Navy rums that will add great intensity to any rum cocktail.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £31.24
£35-45
Ron Abuelo 12 Year Old
This Panamanian Rum is finished in whiskey barrels to impart a distinct vanilla sweetness and subtle smoke. The astounding toasted elegance, sugary spice and rich creaminess won it a Gold gong at the 2009 Ministry of Rum Tasting Competition, so try for yourself and see what all the fuss is about.
Size: UK 700ml/US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £36.94 / $39.99
Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva
One of the region’s best-known brands, Diplomático is known for its unique mixes of distillation methods, and their Reserva Exclusiva is made using copper pot stills – the process allocated to their most complex rums. The molasses-based rum matures in whiskey barrels to fill out with oaky vanilla spice, peppery plum and Christmas cake reminiscence. Award-winning, super classy and gorgeous instead of whiskey in a Manhattan.
Size: UK 700ml / US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £40.95 / $41.99
Copeland Smugglers Reserve Overproof Rum
If it’s not the brooding beautiful design that catches your eye, then it might just be the 57.2%. Copeland, known for their gin, have released this double pot distilled number which rests in bourbon and Pinot Noir casks. The result is deep and dark depths of burnt caramel, vanilla orange intertwining in a flavour that is definitely intense, so you pour over a little ice, orange peel and a subtle mixer of your choice. When you’re in the mood for this, it’s a dream.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 57.2%
Find here: £44.95
£45+
Angostura 15 Year Old "1787"
This is likely to be unlike any dark rum you’ve tried before. Moving away from the mellow, smooth, and spiced rum blends, this is old-school sea rum packed with molasses and spices. The liquid is so characterful, with a taste that reminds you of rum’s heritage. Charred oak with rich dried fruits marries cinnamon and crunchy sugar in a fantastic Trinidadian rum made for explorative sipping.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £67.99
Appleton Estate 21 Year Old
21 years of tropical maturation blesses the carefully selected blends that balance out this spectacular Jamaican rum. Scotch-like in its complexity, elegance and smoothness, warming spices such as ginger and cinnamon dance with leathery raisins (way more appealing than it initially sounds by the way) in a silky mix that feels thick and full. The special packaging sets you up for big expectations and the amber nectar within definitely exceeds them.
Size: UK 700ml /US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £150 / $164.99
There are certain things that any fully fledged rum lover needs, so if you haven’t made your own dedicated home bar yet then check out these 7 Things Every Rum Lover Needs!