Rum has moved a long way from the sweet, sticky grog of old. British distillers and blenders are making spiced, botanical and smoked rums that appeal to gin drinkers and whisky fans, while Jamaican “funk” (the powerful, fruity, high-ester style) has gone from niche to cult.
These ten bottles show how wide the category has become. They are the easiest way to find out what you like if you have only ever tried standard spiced rum, and several of them make very good gifts.
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The list
1. Rumbullion! Original
Caribbean rum, made in the UK · 42.6% ABV
Rumbullion! is a spiced rum from Ableforth’s, made with Caribbean rum and flavoured with Madagascan vanilla, orange peel and cloves among other spices. At 42.6%, it is stronger than most spiced rums, so the flavours stay lively rather than sweet. It makes a good Rum and Ginger Beer or a mulled-style winter drink.
Rumbullion!Spiced RumSpiced rum | United Kingdom | 42.6% ABV | 70cl
£34.95
View at Master of Malt2. Planteray Stiggins' Fancy Pineapple
Barbados · 40% ABV
A rum infused with Victoria pineapple, using both the fruit and its skin. It is a fruit rum that tastes of the real thing rather than syrup, with a rum character underneath that stands up to cocktails such as a Piña Colada or a pineapple Daiquiri.
PlanterayPineapple Stiggins' Fancy Flavoured RumFlavoured rum | Caribbean Blend | 40% ABV | 70cl
£36.59
View at Master of Malt3. Isle of Barra Island Dark Spiced Rum
Scotland · 38%
A Scottish dark rum from the Isle of Barra Distillers, infused with botanicals like carrageen seaweed, cardamom, coconut and orange. Designed for both premium serves and cocktails.
Isle of Barra DistillersBarra Island Dark Spiced RumSpiced rum | United Kingdom | 38% ABV | 70cl
£40.50
View at Master of Malt4. West Pier Yuzu & Orange Blossom Botanical Flavoured Rum
Brighton, England 45%
Brighton-based West Pier uses vapour infusion to make this botanical rum. A base rum from Guyana is infused with yuzu and orange blossom, with other botanicals and a touch of sugar.
West Pier DrinksWest Pier Yuzu & Orange Blossom Botanical Flavoured RumFlavoured rum | Guyana | 45% ABV | 50cl
£36.50
View at Master of Malt5. Foursquare Crisma Rum Cream
Barbados · 17% ABV
A rum cream liqueur from Foursquare, made with Barbadian cream and barrel-aged Barbadian rum rather than a neutral spirit. It tastes of cream, pineapple, orange and cinnamon, with a funky, rum-led edge that sets it apart from most cream liqueurs. Serve it over ice or in a coffee.
FoursquareCrisma Cream LiqueursRum liqueur | 17% ABV | 70cl
£27.35
View at Master of Malt6. Cut Smoked Rum
Jamaica · 40% ABV
Made at the Worthy Park Estate in Jamaica, this is billed as the first smoked rum in the UK. It is infused with Arabica coffee beans, smoked over burnt wood chips and rested in oak barrels, with no artificial sugars or flavourings. Coffee, cocoa nib, oaked vanilla and pipe tobacco lead on the nose, with brown sugar, leather and charred wood on the palate. A good choice if you like peated whisky.
Cut RumCut Smoked Dark RumDark rum | Jamaica | 40% ABV | 70cl
£30.50
View at Master of Malt7. Dunderhead Rum
UK blend · 42% ABV
A blend of Caribbean rums that includes a high-ester Jamaican rum, bottled in the UK. It is described as a big, funky rum that stays approachable and smooth. Brown sugar, banana and five-spice come through on the nose, orange zest, honey and clove on the palate, and toffee and molasses on the finish. It is a friendly introduction to funk.
DunderheadDark RumDark rum | Jamaica | 42% ABV | 70cl
£25.95
View at Master of Malt8. Pull The Pin Spiced Rum
Guyana · 37.5% ABV
A spiced rum made with Guyanese rum, rested in oak and infused with a blend of spices. The profile is smooth butterscotch with baking spice, cinnamon and brown sugar. It is bottled at 37.5%, so it is lighter than most others on this list, and it is easy to drink with ginger beer or cola.
Pull The PinSpiced RumSpiced rum | Guyana | 37.5% ABV | 70cl
£34.50
View at Master of Malt9. Lyme Bay Jack Ratt Lugger Rum
Devon, England · 40% ABV
Lyme Bay Winery in Devon ages Caribbean rum in bourbon-charred oak barrels at its winery, then flavours it with nutmeg, cloves, orange peel and a little vanilla. It is Devon’s first spiced rum, and a very good local alternative to the big brands.
Lyme Bay WineryJack Ratt Lugger Spiced RumSpiced rum | United Kingdom | 40% ABV | 70cl
£34.50
View at Master of Malt10. Hampden Estate Overproof
Jamaica · 60% ABV
Hampden is one of the most famous names in Jamaican rum for its powerful pot still style, and this is the overproof bottling at 60%. This is the “funk” in its purest form, so it is one for people who already love bold rum. Use it sparingly in punches and tiki drinks, or add a few drops of water to sip it.
HampdenEstate HLCF Classic Overproof Dark RumDark rum | Jamaica | 60% ABV | 70cl
£82.50
View at Master of Malt
