Distilleries & Brands
A-Z of Rum brands
Whilst rum’s origins are firmly rooted in the lush, tropical climes of the Caribbean, there are hundreds of brands all over the world. All you need is a still, some sugarcane juice or molasses, and perhaps a cask or two. Then you’re well on your way to crafting this sublimely varied, rich, historically important spirit! Given that, plus the rise of the cocktail movement, it's easy to understand why there are so many brands out there.
Historic Brands
Of course, you simply can’t discuss rum’s historic brands without mentioning the legendary Bacardi. Founded in 1862 in Cuba by Don Facundo Bacardi Massó, Bacardi revolutionised rum-making by making use of charcoal filtration, and maturation in white oak barrels. It has since moved to Puerto Rico, but its spiritual home is Cuba. In fact, the fruit bat adorning the logo is a reference to the fruit bats which lived in the original building in Havana.
Moving to Barbados, Mount Gay, stakes a claim as the world’s oldest commercial rum distillery. It has a deed dating all the way back to 1703! This is perhaps appropriate, as Barbados is often credited as the birthplace of rum. Mount Gay’s spirits exemplify the rich, aromatic style we typically associate with the island.
Jamaica, known for its rich, full-flavoured rums, is home to Appleton Estate. This is another historic operation, which has been going since 1749. Their rums are complex, with the unique “funk” attributed to the island's pot still distillation and tropical ageing.
Innovative brands
The contemporary rum scene has brought about all manner of craft and artisanal producers. These push the boundaries of traditional rum styles. Brands like Foursquare in Barbados and Clairin in Haiti represent this new wave. They have a strong focus on terroir, unadulterated production methods, and innovative cask ageing. They challenge the norms, offering rums that are distinctly expressive of their origins.
Rum around the world
Rum production has spread far beyond the shores of the Caribbean and South America. Today, countries like Australia, the Philippines, India, and even parts of Europe and North America are turning out wonderful examples of white and dark rums. Each region brings its unique touch, be it in the form of local ingredients, distillation methods, or ageing techniques.
In Australia, for instance, brands like Bundaberg source sugarcane locally and make a unique range of rum and rum-based liqueurs. Moving over to Asia, brands like the Philippines’ Don Papa make use of the rich, volcanic soils in the foothills of Mount Kanlaon to grow sugarcane, resulting in a rum with a fabulous fruity profile.
Finding the perfect rum
We offer an extensive selection of rums from numerous brands and distilleries across the globe. And yes, the sheer number of them might seem overwhelming at first, but fear not… pop on over to our Rum Page, and you’ll find rums categorised by their style, as well as our bestsellers and latest arrivals. This section is constantly being updated, showcasing the rums that are currently making waves among enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike.
And, if you’re new to the wonderful world of rum, we suggest taking a look at our Beginner’s Guide to Rum.
