A cocktail is only as good as its weakest ingredient. It is easy to spend money on fresh limes, good ginger beer and decent ice, then pour in whatever generic white rum is at the back of the cupboard. The right rum makes more difference than almost anything else in the glass.
The best cocktail rums have enough character, and often enough strength, to stand up to lime, sugar, mint and ginger without getting lost. These ten are the ones to know, and each is matched to the drink it does best.
This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Which rum for which drink?
| Drink | Rum to reach for |
|---|---|
| Daiquiri | Veritas White Rum, Havana Club 3 Year Old |
| Mojito | Planteray 3 Stars, Havana Club 3 Year Old, Chairman’s Reserve White |
| Dark & Stormy | Gosling’s Black Seal |
| Mai Tai and tiki drinks | Smith & Cross Overproof |
| Rum punch | Wray & Nephew White Overproof, Duppy Share |
| ‘Ti Punch | Trois Rivières Blanc 50% |
| Rum Old Fashioned | Planteray Original Dark |
The list
1. Veritas White Rum
Barbados and Jamaica · 47% ABV
A collaboration between Foursquare in Barbados and Hampden in Jamaica, bottled by Velier at the Foursquare distillery. It blends Coffey column still rum from Foursquare with pot still rum from Hampden. It is mostly unaged and is bottled without filtration, with nothing added. The result is a white rum with real body, with vanilla, custard and tropical fruit alongside a hint of green, vegetal character. It is a great base for a Daiquiri.
FoursquareVeritas White RumWhite rum | Barbados | 47% ABV | 70cl
£36.95
View at Master of Malt2. Gosling's Black Seal
Bermuda · 40% ABV
Gosling’s has a trademark on the Dark ‘n’ Stormy name, and Black Seal is the rum the drink is built around. It is a dark, rich Bermudian rum that holds its own against a strong ginger beer. Pour it over ice, top with ginger beer and finish with a squeeze of lime.
Gosling'sBlack Seal Dark RumDark rum | Bermuda | 40% ABV | 70cl
Original price was: £29.25.£27.95Current price is: £27.95.
View at Master of Malt3. Smith & Cross Overproof
Jamaica · 57% ABV
A Jamaican pot still rum bottled at 57%, close to the old Royal Navy proof. It brings a pungent, funky, high-ester character that cuts through lime, sugar and other strong ingredients, which is why it is a favourite in tiki drinks, Mai Tais and punches. A little goes a long way.
Smith and CrossJamaica Dark RumDark rum | Jamaica | 57% ABV | 70cl
£43.95
View at Master of Malt4. Wray & Nephew White Overproof
Jamaica · 63% ABV
The classic Jamaican white overproof, and the rum behind countless rum punches across the island. At 63% it is very strong, so treat it as a flavouring as well as a base. It brings powerful tropical fruit, citrus and funk to a punch, and a little goes a long way.
J Wray and NephewWray and Nephew White Overproof White RumWhite rum | Jamaica | 63% ABV | 70cl
£29.15
View at Master of Malt5. Planteray 3 Stars
Trinidad, Jamaica and Barbados · 41.2% ABV
A blend of white rums from three islands, bottled at 41.2%. It is a clean, balanced rum with a little character from the Jamaican element, which makes it a dependable base for Mojitos, Daiquiris and other simple, citrus-led drinks. It was previously sold as Plantation 3 Stars.
Planteray3 Stars White RumWhite rum | Caribbean Blend | 41.2% ABV | 70cl
£24.95
View at Master of Malt6. Havana Club 3 Year Old
Cuba · 40% ABV
A light, aged Cuban rum that is the traditional choice for classic Cuban drinks such as the Daiquiri and the Mojito. It keeps things clean and dry without overpowering the lime and mint, so it suits anyone who prefers a gentler style.
Havana ClubOriginal Anejo 3 Year Old White RumWhite rum | Cuba | 37.5% ABV | 70cl
£21.50
View at Master of Malt7. Trois Rivières Blanc 50%
Martinique · 50% ABV
A rhum agricole made from fresh sugarcane juice on Martinique, bottled at 50%. The grassy, vegetal style of agricole is the foundation of the ‘Ti Punch, the simple drink of rum, lime and cane syrup that is made all over the French Caribbean. It is also a good alternative in a Daiquiri if you want something more savoury.
Trois RivieresBlanc Rhum AgricoleRhum agricole (blanc) | Martinique | 50% ABV | 70cl
£42.50
View at Master of Malt8. Planteray Original Dark
Caribbean blend · 40% ABV
A dark blend of Caribbean rums with a rich, rounded body. It is a good base for a rum Old Fashioned or any stirred drink where you want the rum to be the main flavour, and it also works well in a Dark & Stormy as an alternative to Black Seal.
PlanterayOriginal Dark Double Aged Dark RumDark rum | Caribbean Blend | 40% ABV | 70cl
£28.95
View at Master of Malt9. The Duppy Share Aged Rum
Barbados · 38% ABV
Made by Foursquare in Barbados, Duppy Share blends rums aged for five, eight and twelve years in ex-bourbon barrels. It is smooth and approachable, and it is a good value choice for rum punches or an easy highball when you want something with a bit more depth than a standard gold rum.
The Duppy ShareCaribbean Dark RumDark rum | Caribbean Blend | 38% ABV | 70cl
£28.95
View at Master of Malt10. Chairman's Reserve White
Saint Lucia · 40% ABV
A white rum from Saint Lucia Distillers, aged and then filtered to remove the colour. It has more weight and texture than most white rums, which helps it stand out in short, citrus-led drinks such as a Daiquiri or a Mojito.
St. Lucia DistillersChairman's Reserve White Label (40%) White RumWhite rum | Saint Lucia | 40% ABV | 70cl
£26.00
View at Master of MaltSetting up your home bar
If you only buy two bottles to begin with, make it a clean white rum for Daiquiris and Mojitos (Planteray 3 Stars or Havana Club 3 Year Old) and a bold overproof or pot still rum for tiki drinks and punches (Smith & Cross or Wray & Nephew). Add Gosling’s Black Seal when you want to make Dark & Stormys.
Buy Cocktail Making Gear Online
This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
