Mount Gay XO is a medium-bodied, small-batch blend of carefully selected mature rums distilled in traditional copper pot and column stills and bottled at 43% ABV. This round and complex rum is matured between 5 to 17 years in American whiskey, bourbon, and cognac casks. Rich copper in color, the rum carries aromas of oak, molasses, and tar, followed by spices like clove and cinnamon, and molasses, vanilla, marshmallow, coffee, cocoa, and a bit of fruit. Before the long, spicy, smooth finish, you’ll taste spicy, oak, caramelized, and herbal flavors, followed by vanilla, baking spice, and jam.

Region: Barbados | Tasting Notes: Banana, Vanilla, Smoke, Oak, Spice | ABV: 43%

2. Chairman's Reserve The Forgotten Casks

Chairman’s Reserve The Forgotten Casks is an extra-aged sipping rum crafted to mimic rum found in the original forgotten casks of Chairman’s Reserve, which were preserved from St. Lucia Distillers’ horrific fire on May 2, 2007. The cellar master was forced to find unusual storage space for his rum barrels during the rehabilitation of the distillery, and these casks were misplaced during this time of confusion. These “forgotten casks” resulted in rum that was too old for the original Chairman’s Reserve blend, so it was released on its own and received worldwide acclaim.

Region: St. Lucia | Tasting Notes: Apricot, Syrup, Toffee, Coffee, Treacle | ABV: 40%

3.  Appleton Estate Signature

This signature blend of pot and column still rums from Appleton is aged in Jamaica and comes with plenty of character and depth. On the nose, you’ll get fruity aromas of mango, banana, strawberry, pineapple, and apricot, along with a bit of sulfur, vanilla, brown sugar, and caramel. Flavors on the palate are similar, with vanilla and caramel at the forefront, followed by dark chocolate and a bit of fruit at the end. Pineapple and brown sugar linger at the end.

Region: Jamaica | Tasting Notes: Orange, Apricot, Mango, Caramel, Wood | ABV: 40%

4. Santa Teresa Rum 1796

Distilled from molasses, this 1796 brown rum from Santa Teresa is a blend of 8 to 12-year-old rums solera aged for a year in ex-whisky and bourbon barrels. The distillery is the proud winner of the Gold Medal 2007 Ministry of Rum Tasting Competition.

Region: Venezuela | Tasting Notes: Butterscotch, Molasses, Chocolate, Banana | ABV: 40%

5. Ron Zacapa Solera Gran Reserva 23

This blend of rums from Ron Zacapa has aged 6-23 years in casks that previously held robust American whiskies and fine wines, to create a complex, balanced sip. You’ll get aromas of vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, cocoa, banana, orange peel, and toffee, sweet flavors of apple, cognac, oak, dried fruit, vanilla, ginger, and cinnamon, and a long, smooth finish.

Region: Guatemala | Tasting Notes: Honey, Oak, Vanilla, Fruit, Ginger | ABV: 40%

6.  Diplomático Rum Reserva Exclusiva

Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva is a blend of exclusive rum reserves aged up to 12 years, carefully selected by the maker’s Master Blenders. Marrying a unique body with excellent balance has made this multi-award-winning rum a go-to worldwide. Opening up with aromas of orange peel, toffee, and licorice, it’s smooth on the palate and follows with notes of toffee fudge that offer a seductive, long-lasting finish.

Region: Venezuela | Tasting Notes: Fruit, Spice, Tobacco, Nut | ABV: 40%

7. Rhum Barbancourt 15 Years Old

Barbancourt’s 15-year rhum was initially reserved for only family and friends of the makers, but they chose to share it. As you sip, you’ll get the full taste of Haitian sugar cane, the essence of oak trees, and the 158-year tradition that goes into each bottle. You’ll enjoy flavors of tea, nuts, sugarcane, cinnamon, espresso, and oak. With a long finish that begins sweet and ends with a recurrence of citrus and spice accents, this rhum is complex, smooth, and unique.

Region: Haiti | Tasting Notes: Butterscotch, Toffee, Sandalwood, Oak | ABV: 43%

8. Havana Club Rum Anejo Clasico

In celebration of Black History Month, Ten to One partnered with Uncle Nearest to bring a special edition Caribbean Dark Rum finished in Bourbon Cask Barrels. The collaboration takes Ten to One’s premium Caribbean dark rum, an 8-year mix of Barbados, Dominican, Jamaican, and Trinidadian column-still rums, and ages them in 1856 Bourbon cask barrels from Uncle Nearest. Then, the result is proofed and bottled without any coloring or additives. You’ll smell bourbon-like notes of buttery toffee, nutty, spicy banana bread, oak char, tart berry, and pecan. Following that, taste flavors of vanilla, syrup, stewed apples, anise, clove, pecan, and oak char.

Region: Puerto Rico | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Orange, Chocolate, Molasses | ABV: 40%

9. Don Q Gran Reserva

Don Q’s Gran Reserva is mellow, and full of different aromas and flavors, thanks to its aging. It contains rums aged between 9 and 12 years, and Solera rums aged up to 50 years, creating a unique balance between sweet and dry.

Region: Puerto Rico | Tasting Notes: Caramel, Pepper, Lemon, Coffee, Nut | ABV: 40%

10. Rhum JM XO

Aged 100% in re-charred bourbon barrels, the elegant copper tone of Rhum JM XO precedes a gorgeous rhum on the palate. It has a generous combination of toasted nut, lemon, and sage on the nose, which complements the chewy sweet cake as well as the mango and passion fruit flavors. The experience is accented by white pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Region: Martinique | Tasting Notes: Tropical Fruit, Spice, Mint, Caramel | ABV: 45%