20 Types Of Rum Best For Sipping

Rum is a no-brainer for refreshing cocktails such as daiquiris and Dark 'n' Stormys. But if you're able to get your hands on some high-quality rum, you might find that it's the perfect sipping libation. Rum, which is derived from distilled sugarcane or molasses, is often aged in wooden barrels, giving it a rounded and smooth profile. 

Rum dates back to the 17th century when sugarcane plantations were a dime a dozen on the Caribbean Island (via Eight Oaks Distillery). European colonizers on the islands were shipping refined sugar back to Europe, and enslaved locals helped to increase their output. It's believed that the enslaved people were the first to discover that if they fermented the leftover molasses from the copper sugar-refining stills, the result was a wonderfully tasty alcohol.

The relationship between rum and its island roots is still evident today, as people primarily tend to pair rum with festive, tropical cocktails such as piña coladas and mojitos. Dark rum is a rum that has been aged, sometimes with added color and spice (as per VinePair). 

White rums are aged in stainless steel and are meant to be a more subtle take on the spirit. Whether you're a fan of light or dark rum, both are perfect to sip neat. There are quite a few different types of rum that will make your mouth water as you sip and enjoy all the delicious flavors from this spirit. 

There are no official stipulations about the production methods or location of rum. That means that those who have the desire to try their hand at rum can do so as long as they know to craft something worthwhile. Barrell Craft Spirits, a Bourbon brand, got its hands on some Caribbean casks to craft several batches of rum. 

One of these rums, Tale of Two Islands, is a nod to the bold profile of Caribbean rums. This rum uses Jamaican pot still rum that is distilled and aged in Jamaica and then aged in whisky casks: Barrell creates both big, bold layers in a smooth package. Reddit User Tarquin_Underspoon refers to the rum as subtle and well-integrated. 

The initial layers of banana, sweetness, and spice are hard to miss, which help to keep this rum on track with its roots. But then there's a savory, vegetal line throughout the rum: Think mushrooms, roasted pumpkin, and tahini. Tale of Two Islands tastes like banana and passionfruit with some notes of honey and grapefruit. It's a big mashup of beautiful flavors, and it delivers exactly what a nuanced rum is supposed to. This is the rum for the skeptics who think they're beyond the point of surprise and delight!

XO on a bottle of rum indicates an "Extra Old" rum that is at least 6 years old, explains Rum Culture. "XO" can also refer to the salutation of hugs and kisses, which also aptly applies to how we feel about Mount Gay's XO rum. In many circles, this rum is known as a reference point for how an aged rum should taste. This isn't surprising considering that, according to VinePair, Mount Gay is the oldest commercially-produced rum in the world, dating back to 1703.

Mount Gay uses a blend of rums distilled in both traditional columns and double retort pot stills for the XO. The rums are then aged in former bourbon, whiskey, and cognac barrels sourced from American oak, giving the resulting rum round notes of dark chocolate, baking spices, cooked fig, and an unmissable hint of rum-and-raisin as Rum Revalations picked up. While it's still TBD whether or not Mount Gay's new XO blend will be as beloved as its old one (released before 2019), it's clear that Mount Gay is a master at crafting something that will bring joy with each sip.

Foursquare Rum has the benefit of having a long heritage of rum production. The distillery is located in Barbados on a plot that has existed as a sugar plantation since 1720. Today, the rums are blended by a fourth-generation rum trader and distiller. The brand is one that knows exactly where its strengths lie, and it plays those up by using creative casks to impart flavor and structure during the aging process. 

The Zinfandel Cask Blend, as its name suggests, uses old wine barrels for aging. And it does help to give this rum fruity, cocoa, and bready notes that are desired by rum lovers. 

One Reddit User describes it as a nice option for Bourbon lovers who want to finally dive into the world of rum. We like to think of this as a gateway rum. It's interesting enough to pique your interest without being unapproachable or wildly complex. 

Centenario doesn't give much production information about its Real Select Cask Reserve rum, but not everything needs to be explained. We're okay with the lack of details because this is a rum that will knock your socks off with each sip. There are some typical notes of molasses and caramel with some oak and vanilla in there to boot. 

It's got a nice sweetness that's not cloying but just enough to add some structure, as well as a lovely spice. We love all the charred notes in this rum: Toasted oak, wooed, smoky tobacco. It's enough to give the rum a real warmth and mysterious quality, helping to justify the hefty price tag (approximately $300). 

The rum is quite popular on Rum Ratings, with one reviewer declaring this as their favorite rum after tasting more than 500 other bottles. If you're searching for a complex, fruity, smoky rum to sip on with other rum lovers, this bottle is sure to impress. 

Mount Gay Barbados Rum's Black Barrel is aligned with the Caribbean process of double retort distillation (via Thirty One Whiskey). This is the most traditional style of distillation, one that calls for the usage of two small pots or 'retorts' in addition to the main still. This amps up the ABV to produce a stronger alcohol, and, as Revival Stillworks puts it, helps to refine the rum.

The result is an aromatic rum that's smooth and rounded from its finish in bourbon casks. But it actually sees the inside of a barrel more than once. Black Barrel is actually matured twice: First in American whiskey barrels and then in bourbon casks for its final finish. 

It's heavy on the butterscotch and the dried spices, as well as the gingerbread and lychee. When you sip it, you'll enjoy how full it is but also how distinct each of the flavors are. This rum has an approachable complexity that makes it enjoyable for novice and experienced rum lovers alike.

The rum world isn't without controversy. Ron Zacapa 23 Solera, for example, faced some backlash when it was revealed that the 23 on the label didn't indicate the average rum age, as suggested. Sure there is some 23-year-old rum in there, but Liquor.com points out that the average rum in Ron Zacapa 23 Solera is closer to six years old. Of course, rum lovers felt deceived. But the good news is that Ron Zacapa 23 Solera is still a worthwhile wine in terms of taste.

It's a great example of a sweetened rum that tastes great. There are some key rum aromas, such as vanilla, cocoa, and butterscotch, followed by some nutty notes of banana and toffee. Ron Zacapa 23 Solera is aged in an array of barrels that once held American whiskey and sherries, which helps to create the warm and rounded feel of the rum. We appreciate the rum world's quest for transparency, and while it may not get there with Ron Zacapa's 23 Solera, it's still a nice way to get your hands on a decent rum.

Venezuela is not in the world's top rum (and distilled fermented sugar cane spirits) exporting countries, according to Statista, but that doesn't prevent it from joining the ranks as producing worthwhile rums. Pampero's rums are made by drawing on inspiration from Venezuela's cowboys, called Llaneros. 

The brand's Aniversario pays homage to this distinct culture by crafting a rum that is meant to be enjoyed slowly to pull out the interesting notes. This dark rum uses a blend of the brand's rarest rums and has notes of cocoa, dried fruits, and orange rind.

This is an elegant rum, if ever there was one. It's smooth on the palate and has a hint of sweetness. Difford's Guide notes that the long finish has whiffs of tobacco and coffee. At 80 proof, it's not going to be the biggest powerhouse of a rum, but that's precisely what makes it enjoyable. It's subtle enough to be pleasant but layered enough to be interesting: It offers the best of both worlds.

Havana Club might be one of the most recognizable rums on the market. Its bold black, red and white label is ubiquitous. And since it offers 7 different styles of rum, there truly is something for everyone. Havana Club, as its name suggests, is a Cuban brand. While the details of how this rum is distilled and aged are not completely clear, we can gather from the label that Havana Club 7 years does undergo an average of seven years of aging. 

That time in ex-Bourbon casks has accomplished its mission. Havana Club 7 Years is a robust and full rum that has the distinct characteristics of molasses. The Rum Howler even picked up some baking spices, tobacco, and dried fruit in there, as well. There's also a smokiness, which gives the rum a bit of mystique and harkens back to old cigar clubs, which may have inspired this rum.

While there are certainly other, more craft brands of rum to go for, with this rum, Havana Club reminds us why it is a big player in the rum world.

Considering Jamaican rum's reputation, one might assume that Appleton rum will be a rich and powerful rum. That assumption wouldn't be totally wrong, and it's one of the characteristics we adore most about Appleton Estate rums. The brand's 21-year-old rum is the oldest in its regular assortment, and it is aged in Jamaica for 21 years. 

It has a delicate floral scent and an unmistakable nuttiness, followed by baking spices, cocoa, coffee, and vanilla notes. It also has notes of caramelized banana and bread pudding, as Tastings.com points out. 

It's difficult to express how exciting this rum is, but it checks every box on any self-respecting rum lover's list. It's a Jamaican rum through, with its smooth peppery finish and complex aromas. But most importantly, this is perfect to sip. If you've wanted to try a top-notch Jamaican rum, then Appleton Estate's 21-year-old rum, aged in Nassau Valley Casks, is a safe bet.

If you see Rhum Agricole on a bottle of rum, you might know that while it's technically rum, some key differences may set it apart from your beloved drink (via Distiller). Rhum Agricole, often shortened to just Rhum, is a type of rum that is distilled from fresh sugarcane juice instead of from molasses like many other rums. This difference results in more vegetal notes. 

Rhum J.M has been producing Agricole in Martinique since 1845. During this time, the brand has perfected the art of old rum. The brand, with its XO (very old) Rhum, leverages column distillation and ages the spirit in toasted Bourbon casks for 6 years. Rum Revelations picked up on the oak right away, but there were also some heavy red fruit nuances, which bring a nice line of brightness to the rhum. 

The Rhum Agricole grassiness is unmissable and does work well with the other characteristics of the rum to keep it really balanced and round. This is certainly not your standard rhum, but if you're into sipping rums, you'll probably fall head over heels at first sip.