Worthy Park Madeira Cask

Kyle Rioux is a beverage guide and this system creator at Tiki Kai, a brand new bar in Hermosa Seaside, California. He calls Worthy Park Madeira Cask his “favourite pound-for-pound sipping rum.” It comes from the one single-estate distillery in Jamaica, so every thing is finished on Worthy Park’s personal land. “The standard of molasses they’re utilizing is finely managed as a result of they’re rising the sugar themselves,” he says. The rum is aged for eight years in ex-bourbon barrels after which spends one other two years in Madeira casks. 

“My hometown of New Bedford, Massachusetts, has the [most densely concentrated] Portuguese inhabitants anyplace in America, so I grew up across the flavors I discover on this particular rum,” says Rioux. “Issues like coriander and brilliant orange soar out on the palate for me. Indicative of Jamaican rum, this pot-still carries massive, daring flavors and an unbelievable aroma that sings of almond and vanilla from the barrel.”

Privateer Queen’s Share 4 12 months

One other Rioux favourite hails from Ipswich, Massachusetts. It’s helped to revive the legacy of New England rum, one in all America’s first unbiased industries that dates to colonial days. Rioux says that Privateer re-distills the “seconds,” the a part of the spirit between the center and the tails, a course of extra frequent in Cognac manufacturing. “Coming in at cask energy, this bottle begs to be sipped gradual and savored,” as he says it affords baking spices like nutmeg alongside mushy floral notes. “When you can’t discover the Queen’s Share 4 12 months, the Queen’s Share base mannequin can also be absolutely price a visit across the block.”

Rhum J.M. Terroir Volcanique

Rolón is a giant fan of Rhum J.M. Terroir Volcanique, a mix of three-year-old rums from Martinique which might be married and aged to seize the island’s volcanic terroir. “This can be a nice sipping rum,” says Rolón. “It has a little bit of funk, however [it] isn’t overwhelming for somebody new to the class.”

Holmes Cay Belize 2006

Holmes Cay sources and bottles distinctive, limited-release rums from world wide. Rolón loves its Belize 2006 bottling, a 16-year-old, single-origin rum that was aged in bourbon barrels and bottled at 61% ABV. It’s filled with stone fruits, caramel, and vanilla. “They do nice stuff,” he says. When you can’t discover this specific bottle, he suggests to search for different rums that Holmes Cay has bottled from Australia and Panama.

Ron Barceló Imperial

Ron Barceló Imperial is the one Dominican rum produced with 100% sugar cane juice from its personal plantation, says Willy Mesa, beverage director at Las’ Lap Miami. He says it has aromas of bitter cream, dried cherries, intense vanilla, pineapple jam, and caramelized nuts, with a “medium and exuberant physique with nice depth and steadiness.” 

Worthy Park Single Property Reserve

Mesa additionally offers a nod to Worthy Park. He says that this single-estate rum is distilled fully in copper pot stills, which provides it a heavy physique. “Every step within the distillation course of is measured and evaluated to make sure consistency and high quality,” he says. Mesa calls out flavors of sunshine vanilla and tropical fruits, with a buttery and creamy texture. 

Planteray Sealander

To make Sealander, Planteray chosen rums from three completely different islands and shipped them off on an ocean voyage for a second maturation earlier than they had been blended collectively. “I feel that this can be a bottle that satisfies skilled rum drinkers and folks simply getting into the class,” says Daniel Johnson, beverage director of Ma Der Lao Kitchen and Bar Sen in Oklahoma Metropolis. It’s 40% ABV and has a bit dosage, so it’s extra approachable than a lot of its overproof counterparts, he says. 

“The rum from Barbados contributes a wealthy, spherical physique, whereas the rum from Fiji provides a lighter fruit element,” says Johnson. “What makes this rum particular to me are the intriguing inexperienced, grassy, and nearly tarragon/anise flavors that the spirit from Mauritius contributes.” Total, he says the rum balances approachability and intrigue, and it offers drinkers a compelling narrative, all at an accessible worth.

El Dorado 15 12 months

“For me, a superb sipping rum is all a couple of steadiness of smoothness and complexity,” says Joao Diniz, head bartender at Moon in Houston. Diniz appears to be like for rums that steadiness their alcohol content material and have daring flavors that may stand on their very own. “A bottle I at all times attain for is the El Dorado 15-year rum, which has heavy brown sugar, vanilla, and low notes,” he says.