Top 10 award-winning rums for National Rum Day
If you’re looking to buy a bottle of rum to celebrate National Rum Day, our list of top 10 award-winning rums as recognised by our Rum Masters 2014 could ease the decision process for you.
We roundup the best rums to enjoy on National Rum Day from our very own award-winnersThe Cuba Libre cocktail, comprising a blend of white rum, cola and lime was made to celebrate Cuba’s independence from Spain and the landing of Coca-Cola in the country in 1900.
Fast forward more than 100 years later and there is an extensive array of rums on the market enticing consumers and bartenders alike to swap white rum for a different style.
As proven in this year’s Rum Masters, there is a wealth of experimentation and quality to be found within the category, from the deep, chocolatey characteristics found in dark rum to the vegetal notes of auricle.
Click through to the following pages to discover the top 10 winning rums for National Rum Day (16 August) based on the best Master award-winners of The Spirits Business’ Rum Masters 2014.
Joseph Banks 7YO Golden Age Rum
Category: Gold up to 7YO
Medal: Master
This unique rum comprises a blend of no fewer than 23 different rums from eight distilleries in seven origins, including Trinidad, Jamaica, Guyana, Barbados, Guatemala, Panama and Java.
Its varied combination brings together flavours such as earthy and tropical fruit notes, a hint of wood plus a touch of spice to give an overall “complex, full-flavoured blend that is sophisticated, but not sweet”.
Santa Teresa Añejo Gran Reserva
Category: Gold up to 7YO
Medal: Master
Hailing from Venezuela, Santa Teresa Añejo Gran Reserva is blended from premium rums and aged in oak casks for up to five years.
Winning the highest accolade in this year’s Rum Masters, it is described as offering notes of citrus, coconut and banana, making it an excellent choice for mixing with cocktails this National Rum Day.
Ron Millonario XO Rum
Category: Gold over 12YO
Medal: Master
The Gold over 12YO category was described as “the highest quality of the competition” in this year’s Rum Masters by judge Luca Cordiglieri, head bartender at China Tang at the Dorchester.
Created from molasses and distilled in column stills before maturing in American oak barrels, Master-winning Peruvian rum Ron Millonario XO makes the perfect sipping rum with its flavours of creamy golden syrup and cooked fruits.
Botran Solera 1893
Category: Gold over 12YO
Medal: Master
As its name suggests, this dark rum is aged in Guatemalas using the Solera System in American oak barrels that have formerly contained Sherry and Port wines.
Distilled from concentrated virgin sugar cane syrup, Botran Solera 1893 is aged for up to 18 years and its “robust and succulent” taste is said to give notes of candied fruits and spices, roasted cocoa and citrus fruits.
Enjoy on its own, with ice, or mix with Champagne and citrus juices, coffee or chocolate liquor, or exotic fruit juices and ginger, as recommended by Botran.
Pusser’s Rum
Category: Dark up to 7YO
Medal: Master
For more than 300 years until the 18th century, sailors of the British Navy were issued with a pint of the “original navy rum” from the ship’s purser as part of a daily ration, and would drink it neat.
Resurrected in 1979 by founder and CEO Charles Tobias, Pusser’s rum proves popular today with its “complex notes of prunes, dates, liquorice and dark chocolate”.
Pusser’s Navy Rum 15YO
Category: Dark over 12YO
Medal: Master
Handcrafted in small batches, Pusser’s Navy Rum 15YO is a blend of rums from stills in Guyana and Trinidad and provides flavours of “fig, oak, peach and dark chocolate”.
Sip neat, on the rocks or in an Old Fashioned or Rusty Nail cocktail.
Very Old Rhum Damoiseau 10yo 2001 Vintage
Category: Rhum Agricole
Medal: Master
Matured for 10 years in ex-Bourbon barrels before its bottling in 2001 at 42% abv, Very Old Rhum Damoiseau 10yo 2001 Vintage offers a “mellow” taste to start before evolving into a long finish with hints of dried fruit and orange.
Ron de Jeremy Spiced Rum
Category: Spiced Rum
Medal: Master
A light amber coloured seven-year-old rum from Panama, Ron Jeremy The Adult Rum is handcrafted by 72-year-old Cuban master distiller Francisco “Don Pancho” Fernandez.
Vanilla and raw sugar cane flavours present themselves on the palate balanced with notes of oak, fruits and spices.
“I love Ron de Jeremy – the taste is long and full, and the finish is smooth, which suits me perfectly,” Fernandez says. “And I love the idea. Ron means Rum! I am very proud of my Ron and I hope my many friends all over the world will have a chance to try it. Cheers!”
Westerhall Jack Iron Rum
Category: Overproof
Medal: Master
Bottled at 70%abv, this overproof expression packs a delicious punch.
Its recipe is top secret, but we do know it is aged in wooden charred oak casks, which contribute to the rum’s “surprisingly smooth taste”.
Suggested serves include straight up or followed by cola, tonic water or the more unusual choice of coconut water.
