Top 10 best rums in the world ranking
(Image credit: Kraken / Don Papa / Karisimbi)
The rum market is booming. It's worth over £12 billion a year, roughly equalling gin revenues and is only continuing to grow. But we'd argue that it's a far more versatile drink, and the different types of rum, from aged to spiced, excel in totally different situations.
In its simplest form, rum is a clear liquid distilled from different forms of sugar, including demerara and molasses. However, this is often followed by barrel ageing in oak casks, and, like some modern craft beers, some also have fruit or spices added.
This means you can get all sorts of different kinds of rums, like white, golden, dark, navy, spiced and fruit rum - and even combinations of those key types. Traditionally, rum comes from the Caribbean, but these days you can get it from all over the place, including Devon.
Here’s our taste-tested selection that we think every rum lover should try, which we have separated by region.
Additional reporting and taste testing: Marc Chacksfield
What we're drinking
From the ocean-aged complexity of Goslings Spirited Seas to the honey-spiced warmth of Wildjac Premium Honey, and the rich, conservation-d
The 10 best rums in the world for a perfect sip
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 m
10 Best brands of RUM For Every Mood
Rum is not just a spirit. It is much more than that. It is an experience to be relieved and cherished. Whether enjoying it with your mates or mixing it in a cocktail or simply sipping it neat, there is that best rum available for every mood and every occasion. The best rum drinks brands, whether it’s Old Monk Rum Or Bacardi and Rum or even the array of white rum brands, ensure the best drinking experience for your every mood anytime anywhere.
10 BEST BRANDS FOR RUM
From party starters to smooth sippers, there are several top rum drinks brands.
OLD MONK RUM
A popular Indian brand, Old Monk Rum comes with a proud long-standing tradition of trust and ratability.
- Follows a distinctive aging process in oak coasts.
- Offers a smooth, rich flavor. This springs from its distinctive aging process.
- Ideal for sipping or mixing into your favorite cocktails.
- Delivers comfort with warmth after a long day, whether you are in a relaxed mood or looking to just unwind.
A great choice if you’re looking to savor sweet, fuller-bodied rum.
BACARDI
Think of Bacardi, think of a brand that’s synonymous with pure enjoyment.
- Light and smoo
The site is now over 3 years old. The site as it appears now was “re-booted” back in December 2014. Which was pretty much when it began getting a meaningful amount of views. We’ve now reviewed over 300 different rums, with many more in the pipeline. Out of curiosity I thought I would see how many rums I have given the 5 star treatment. The search was quite interesting. I was quite surprised by some of the omissions – only garnering 4 or 4.5 stars. I’ve also tried not to flood the list with rums from the same distillery to keep a bit of variety.
Anyway here is a list of 10 rums which I consider to be the best and most varied I have tried so far on my rum journey. Click on the title of each rum to read the full review.
10. Bristol Black Spiced Rum
The first entry in the countdown is perhaps surprisingly a Spiced Rum. At the time of the review it was the only rum on the site to get the 5 star rating. Since then I have re-scored a couple of classic rums but it is still the only Spiced Rum to get a top score. Without doubt the best Spiced Rum you can get and well worth picking up if you see it. It may seem pricey for a Spiced but its well
best selling rum brands in the world
Market Analysis
The global rum market is projected to generate $17.11 billion in combined revenue (at-home and out-of-home) by 2025, with at-home sales expected to flourish at a CAGR of 3.28% through 2030 1. The Merged States leads in at-home revenue ($2 billion in 2025), while premiumization and regional diversification pilot growth. Key trends include:
- Dark rum dominating premiumization, with the super-premium tier growing at a 6% CAGR 10.
- Ready-to-drink (RTD) rums gaining momentum, projected to grow 12% in volume by 2027 2.
- Spiced rum maintaining popularity, valued at $7 billion in 2024 and expected to reach $10 billion by 2030 2.
Global Rum Market Revenue Breakdown (2025)
Chart data sourced from 1.Top-Selling Rum Brands in 2025
The following brands dominate global sales and industry recognition:
Brand Category Key Highlights Source Bacardi White/Flavored Top-selling rum for 7 consecutive years; house pour in 20% of global bars 26. 26 Havana Club Dark/Aged Second-best-selling rum; 15% of bars rank it in top-three pours 26. 26 Planteray Spiced/Flavored Third-best-