Our Surprising Findings: Great Rum expressions for under $30 in 2023
As a rum industry insider and contributor to TheRumLab, I’ve found that you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy a good rum. Throughout the year, I’ve experimented with a wide variety of rums and found truly remarkable jewelry for less than $30.
Today, I want to share these findings with you. It is not just a list of recommendations, but a personal exploration through the world of rum, highlighting those that offer an exceptional taste experience without compromising the pocket.
Affordable White Rums
In my personal and professional search for exceptional rums, I have found that white rums offer a versatility and purity that are perfect for both classic cocktails and enjoying alone. I have selected seven white rums that stand out for their quality and affordable price.
Bacardi Superior: A household name in the rum world, Bacardi Superior is distilled from sugarcane molasses and filtered through charcoal for a clean taste. It is ideal for mixing into your favorite cocktails without overpowering the other ingredients. You can find it in several online stores, such as the official Bacardi store, Drizly, Total Wine & More, Uptown Spirits, and Instacart.
Don Q Cristal: Originally from Puerto Rico, this white rum is an affordable and quality option. Made from molasses and aged from one to three years, it has a subtle sweetness with hints of vanilla and coconut, making it versatile for cocktails such as Mojito or Daiquiri. You can buy it at Total Wine & More, Drizly, Instacart, and Marketview Liquor.
Flor de Caña 4 Year Extra Dry: This Nicaraguan rum is made with sugarcane juice instead of molasses and aged for four years in oak barrels. Smooth and dry, with notes of tropical fruit and roasted almond, it’s perfect for classic cocktails. It is available in Flor de Caña, Total Wine & More, Drizly, and Caskers.
Probitas: Probitas is known for its balanced and smooth profile. It is a blend of rums from Barbados and Jamaica, distilled in both copper pot stills and columns. Its distillation and blending process results in a rum with clear notes of tropical fruits and a slight spicy touch. It is ideal for cocktails that require a rum with character but without overwhelming other flavors. It is available in Altamar Brands, Total Wine & More, Drizly and Uptown Spirits.
Rum-Bar: This Jamaican rum is famous for its intensity and rich flavor. Produced at the Worthy Park distillery, it is distilled in copper pot stills and is unaged, giving it a fresh and vibrant profile. Its predominant notes include green banana and soft spices, making it ideal for cocktails with a distinctive tropical touch.It is available in GotoLiquorStore.
Diplomatico Planas: A high-quality Venezuelan rum, Diplomatico Planas is a white rum aged up to six years and then carefully filtered to remove its color, preserving its complex flavor profile. With notes of coconut, white chocolate, and fruits, it offers exceptional smoothness, making it perfect for enjoying alone or in refined cocktails. It is available in ReserveBar, Ron Diplomatico and Drizly.
Rhum Clement: Produced in Martinique, this white agricultural rum is distilled from fresh sugarcane juice. Rhum Clement is known for its freshness and herbal notes. Its profile is distinctively earthy with nuances of citrus and sugarcane, making it an exceptional choice for cocktails seeking a unique and authentic character. It is available in Total Wine & More.
These options prove that you can enjoy high-quality white rums without spending too much.
Dark & Heavy
In this section, I would like to highlight three dark rums that are true emblems of flavor and depth. They are ideal for savoring alone or in cocktails that require a rich and complex character. I’ve selected these four dark rums that are not only delicious, but also surprisingly accessible.
Gosling’s Black Seal Bermuda Black Rum: Famous as the key ingredient in the Dark ‘n’ Stormy cocktail, this Bermudian rum has a rich flavor profile of molasses, vanilla, and caramel. You can find it on Goslings Rum, Total Wine & More, ReserveBar, and Drizly.
Plantation Original Dark Rum: Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, this rum combines rich flavors with accessibility. Double aged in bourbon barrels and finished in French oak barrels, this rum offers a smoky touch with distinct vanilla and caramel notes. It can be enjoyed in a wide range of cocktails such as Mai Tais, Rum Old Fashioneds and Jungle Birds. Available in Drizly, Plantation Rum, Curiada, Total Wine & More, and CaskCartel.
Diamond Reserve 151 Demerara Dark Rum: Produced by Demerara Distillers Ltd. (DDL) in Guyana, is a line of rums that embodies the spirit and flavor of the Demerara region. This region, known for its unique sugar cane and rich rum-making history, imparts distinctive characteristics to the Diamond Reserve Rum varieties. You can purchase Diamond Reserve Rum for under $30 at Total Wine & More.
El Dorado 12 Year: An elegant, award-winning rum from Guyana, El Dorado 12 Year Old is a superb example of Demerara rums. It can be enjoyed alone, over ice, or over a classic cocktail such as a Mai Tai. It is available from Drizly , Caskers, Uptown Spirits, Total Wine & More, and other retailers.
These dark, opulent rums are perfect for those looking for rich, complex flavors without spending too much.
The Best Cream-Based Rums
In our ongoing quest to uncover the best rum expressions at affordable prices, we’ve delved into a category that deserves special attention: cream-based rums. These liqueurs, perfect for enjoyment on any occasion, blend the richness of rum with creamy, delightful flavors. Below, we present an exclusive selection of the best cream-based rums under $30.
Ricura: A horchata-inspired cream rum liqueur from Barbados, more rum-forward and reminiscent of rice pudding. Universal Fine Wine & Spirits
Mangaroca Batida de Coco: A Brazilian coconut cream liqueur made with rum or cachaça and coconut pulp. Available in Slurp.
O’Riley’s or Sangster’s Rum Cream: Jamaican rum creams offering original coffee, coconut, and banana flavors. Sangster’s also includes a wild orange variant. Available in Liquor Store.
Ponche Kuba: A classic Barbados-based rum cream, known for its smooth, spicy, yet sweet flavor. Available in Checkers.
Orovana Rhum Cream Liqueur: A cream rum liqueur produced in Spain, made from a blend of rums from Trinidad and Jamaica, soft on the palate. Available in Instacart.
Wray & Nephew Rum Cream: A dessert-friendly rum cream liqueur produced by a major rum manufacturer. Available in Wine Searcher.
Blue Chair Bay Key Lime Rum Cream: A key lime-flavored rum cream, part of a line of tropically flavored rum creams. ABC Fine Wine & Spirits.
Conclusion
We’ve explored a variety of rums that prove exceptional quality and flavor don’t have to be at odds with affordable prices. From the versatile and smooth white rums, to the spicy ones with their rich aromatic profiles, to the dark and opulent ones full of depth and character, there are options for all tastes and budgets.
At TheRumLab, we believe that every bottle of rum has a story to tell, and each of these selections is a testament to the rich heritage and craftsmanship of the rum world. We invite you to explore these rums, whether enjoying them alone, over cocktails, or as part of a dining experience.
We hope these recommendations inspire you to explore the fascinating world of rum and find your own favorites.
Featured image:
