White Rum
 

Best White Rum

The Fifty Best White Rum Tasting 2022

 

The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a "blind" tasting of 14 white rums with twelve members of our spirits judging panel. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. Strict tasting rules were applied. Each of the rums were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles, and served at slightly above room temperature. The judges wrote down their impressions of each product on score sheets. Double-Gold, Gold and Silver Medals are awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges. There were no Bronze Medals awarded for this tasting. Medals are provided based entirely on merit and only to products judged worthy of such award.

The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated. The distilleries, states, countries of origin and alcohol proofs are identified for each brand. Clicking on the brands' names will link to their websites.



DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Renegade Cane Rum Pre-Cask Hope
(Renegade Rum Distillery, Grenada, W.I.)  100° prf
Distilled from Cain variety sugar cane.


Nose: Butterscotch, buttery, molasses, sugar cane, dried fruit, pineapple, papaya, banana, dates, melon, tangerine, grass, tree sap, allspice, Agricole, funk, mineral, earth, rich.

Palate: Vanilla, creamy, clotted cream, burnt sugar, marzipan, honey, papaya, banana, guava, tropical fruit, pear, apple, citrus, mint, eucalyptus, black tea, a touch of pekoe tea, tobacco leaves, dried leaves, clove, pepper, hot pepper, cedar, wood, smoky, esters, funky, well balanced, round, rich.

Finish: Vanilla, creamy, honey, pineapple, apricot, dried apricot, sugared apricot, sage, subtle spice, cedar, woody, smoky, high ABV, powerful, pleasant, rewarding.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal

 



Renegade Cane Rum Pre-Cask Hope




Prichard's Crystal American Craft Rum
(Prichard's Distillery, TN)  80° prf

Nose: Butterscotch, fresh cream, sugar cane, powdered sugar, vanilla, marzipan, honeysuckle,mango, guava, pineapple, apricot, orange, orange peel, Juicy Fruit gum, sweet mint, herbal, eucalyptus, walnut, black walnut, white pepper, black pepper, musty.

Palate: Butterscotch, praline, Bananas Foster, vanilla, clotted cream, milk shake, honeysuckle, dried dates, apricot, tangerine, orange, orange peel, lemon, lime, citrus, ginger, spearmint, herbal, clove, nutmeg, allspice, tarragon, pepper, nutty, coffee, cedar, ripe, rich, creamy.

Finish: Chocolate, vanilla, cream, crème brûlée, dried figs, banana, mint, grass, nutty, oak, woody, smoky, complex, balanced, milky sweet, flavorful, rich, ripe, robust, delicate, silky smooth.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal

 



Prichard's Crystal American Craft Rum




Ron Pepón Blanco Ron Agricola
(San Juan Artisan Distillers, PR)  86° prf
Estate distilled from sugarcane juice.


Nose: Sugar cane, guava, papaya, pineapple, banana, apricot, pear, green plantain, lemon, citrus, burnt ginger, licorice, tea, dried hay, earthy, leather, musty, funk, esters, dunder, Agricole.

Palate: Vanilla, crème brûlée, sugar cane, brown sugar, dried dates, pineapple, overripe papaya, mushy bananas, banana skin, banana peel, cereal, elderflower, herbal, sweet grass, green grass, anise, tobacco leaves, hay, thyme, sage, burnt walnuts, old leather, esters, complex bite, funky, ripe, rich, robust.

Finish: Pineapple, banana, tamarind, orange, rose water, agave, eucalyptus, dried leaves, pepper, black pepper, spicy, dunder, well balanced, round, flavorful, rich, very pleasant.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal

 



Ron Pepón Blanco Ron Agricola




GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Renegade Cane Rum Pre-Cask Lake Antoine
(Renegade Rum Distillery, Grenada, W.I.)  100° prf
Distilled from Purple Tallboy variety sugar cane
.

Nose: Butterscotch candy, vanilla, sugar cane, honey, dark honey, ripe banana, pineapple, passion fruit, cherry, raspberry, complex florals, fresh black tea leaves, herbs, fresh hay, dried hay, tanned leather, volatile esters, dunder, funky, Agricole.

Palate: Brown sugar, burnt sugar, dried fruit, pineapple, banana, pear, apple, mashed plantain, biscuit, rose, mint, grass, dried hay, herbal, tarragon, clove, pepper, cedar, oak, smoky, well balanced, rich, big flavor.

Finish: Vanilla, candied orange, orange peel, apricot, pear, green banana, juicy, Hawaiian Punch, spicy, smoky, cedar, wood note, funky, complex, balanced, smooth, silky, tasty.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal

 



Renegade Cane Rum Pre-Cask Lake Antoine




Whaler's Cove Silver Rum
(Fog’s End Distillery, CA)  90° prf
Distilled from 100% sugar cane
.

Nose: Butterscotch, burnt sugar, distant vanilla, honey, dried pineapple, passion fruit, sour apple, citrus, ginger, herbal, anise, tea leaves, dried hay, pecan, clove, allspice, five spice, saline, musty, new barrel, pine, ripe, rich.

Palate: Pineapple, citrus, fig, dates, dried apricot, dried fruit, Christmas cake, anisette, orange blossom, floral, herbal, grassy, dried hay, coffee, mocha, clove, hint of charred wood, oak, cedar, ripe, rich.

Finish: Lemon, lime, bright citrus, orange peel, dried dates, dried pear, ginger root, spearmint, hazelnut, clove, wood, oak, round, rich, tasty.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal

 



Whaler's Cove Silver Rum




Renegade Cane Rum Pre-Cask Nursery
(Renegade Rum Distillery, Grenada, W.I.)  100° prf
Distilled from Yellow Lady variety sugar cane.


Nose: Pineapple, mango, passion fruit, peach, banana, tropical fruit, candied pears, raspberry, cranberry, apple sauce, wild honey, honeysuckle, elderflower, ginger, hay, beans, olives, brine, roasted, woody, barrel, esters, funk, Agricole, vodka martini, rich.

Palate: Rich ripe papaya, banana, coconut, cherry candy, green apple, maple syrup, burnt sugar, Cheerios, licorice, light anise, ginger, clove, cinnamon, allspice, tarragon, pink peppercorn, peppery, big bite of pepper, oak, funk, rich, tasty.

Finish: Candied ginger, apricot, pear, Hawaiian Punch, floral, black tea, coffee note, pepper, green pepper, toast, smoky, hickory, woody, interesting, mellow, great.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal

 



Renegade Cane Rum Pre-Cask Nursery




SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Bonampak White Rum
(Rones de Mexico Distillery, Chiapas, MX)  80° prf
Distilled from sugar cane juice & molasses.


Nose: Praline, white sugar, crème brûlée, light vanilla, peach, apricot, banana, papaya skin, lemon/lime peel, orange zest, citrus, ginger, mixed florals, slightly perfumed, herbal, eucalyptus, hay.

Palate: Nougat, custard, heavy cream, Creamsicle, brown sugar, maple syrup, coconut, dried apricots, lime, lime zest, lemon peel, ginger, mint, elderflower, star anise, licorice, cinnamon, clove, nutty, mocha, tobacco leaf, dried leaves, white peppercorn, creamy mouthfeel, silky mouthfeel, rich, smooth drinking.

Finish: Vanilla, dried fruit, lemon peel, citrus, minty, nutmeg, tarragon, spicy, mellow, approachable, soft, silky smooth, rich, velvety.


Silver Medal
   Silver medal



Bonampak White Rum




Purkapile Rum
(Red River Brewing Company & Distillery, NM)  80° prf.

Nose: Butterscotch, crème brûlée, light cream, sugar, coconut, guava, peach, mango, ripe plantain, banana skin oil, banana leaves, agave plant, ripe lime, elderflower, lilac, spearmint, fennel, raw cashew, roasted nuts, grain, coconut husk, dry hay, leather.

Palate: Butterscotch, vanilla, custard, burnt sugar, maple syrup, dried figs, apricot, pear, banana, green apple, ripe sour apple, ginger, lilac, spearmint, cereal grain, hay, coffee grinds, peppery, spicy, slight brine, ripe, smooth, bright.

Finish: Passion fruit, ripe pineapple skin, coconut, almond, mint, black pepper, peppery, well balanced, powerful, robust, smooth, soft, gentle, buttery, creamy, flavorful.


Silver Medal
   Silver medal



Purkapile Rum




Rum Dog Rum
(Edmonstone & MacMillon, SC)  90° prf.

Nose: Vanilla, honey, pineapple, banana, honeydew, melon, pear, grapes, subtle citrus, white flowers, biscuit, allspice, rich.

Palate: Cane, maple sugar, clotted cream, marzipan, dried papaya, honeydew melon, peach, mango, grape, lemon, lime, sweet lime, orange blossom, elderflower, herbal, peppermint, creamy mouthfeel, rich.

Finish: Mango, candied orange, green apple, carrot, licorice, white pepper, spicy, wood, sweet, nice, pleasant.


Silver Medal
   Silver medal



Rum Dog Rum




Campesino Silver X Rum
(TN)  80° prf.
Blended from Trinidad & Nicaragua rums. Aged min. 2 yrs.


Nose: Vanilla, sugar cane, pineapple, coconut, dried hay, Mentos.

Palate: Sugar cane, white chocolate, honey, pineapple, citrus, coconut, grain, nutty, dried hay, pine, touch of funk, good balance, soft, well-conceived.

Finish: Vanilla, mint, lingering pepper, cedar, pine, soft, easy, clean, fresh, an elegant ride.


Silver Medal
   Silver medal



Campesino Silver X Rum




Barber Lee Piloncillo White Rum
(Barber Lee Spirits, CA)  80° prf.

Nose: Butterscotch, molasses,vanilla, burnt orange, guava, banana, passionfruit, pineapple, coconut, fig, apple slices, lime, grassy, eucalyptus, cactus, hay, new wood, cedar, bay rum, funk.

Palate: Praline, butter, coconut, cherry, pear, plantain, banana peel, newly harvested grains, dried hay, mint, tea, sage, pepper, leather, brine, mineral, cedar, oak, burnt wood, spicy, moss, funk, Agricole.

Finish: Sugar cane, pineapple, apple, green apple, green grass, tarragon, mocha, cedar, oak, slightly tannic, slightly briny, creamy mouthfeel, soft, smooth, drink neat, super interesting.


Silver Medal
   Silver medal



Barber Lee Piloncillo White Rum




KLYR Clean American Rum
(Holy Water Distillery, PA)  80° prf.
Distilled from cane sugar & brown sugar.


Nose: Coconut, dried pear, pear, green apple, kiwi, Sprite, banana, banana peel, burnt sugar, marzipan, sweet cereal, floral, nutmeg, slight black pepper.

Palate: Custard, powdered sugar, burnt sugar, crème brûlée, coconut, ripe guava, papaya, mango, dried mango, green banana, lime peel, light citrus, elderflower, light mint, anise, licorice, almond, walnut, spicy, mocha, cedar, minerality, velvety mouthfeel, well balanced.

Finish: Basil, light anise, nutty, peppery, spicy, mineral, limestone, wood, round, pleasant, mellow, silky.


Silver Medal
   Silver medal



KLYR Clean American Rum




St. Johnsbury Distillery
Pirate Dan's Vermont Rum

(VT)  80° prf.

Nose: Papaya, guava, coconut, fig, watermelon, cranberry, red berry, green apple, fruit punch, Kool-Aid, lime, Sprite, vanilla, honeysuckle, lilac, lightly floral, green leaves, mint, interesting.

Palate: Butterscotch, crème brûlée, vanilla, powdered sugar, cane, honey, short cake, strawberry, apple sauce, apple, lemon/lime, citrusy, ginger, eucalyptus, almond oil, nutmeg, tarragon, chalky, mineral, leather, candy sweetness.

Finish: Orange, citrus, guava, strawberry, burnt sugar, flowers, minty, mocha, black pepper, woody, mineral, soft, intricate.


Silver Medal
   Silver medal



St. Johnsbury Distillery Pirate Dan's Vermont Rum




Erie Distillery White Rum
(PA)  80° prf

Nose: Confectioners’ sugar, white sugar, banana, green apple, lime notes, citrus, herbal, grassy, eucalyptus, licorice, lightly peppery.

Palate: Praline, white sugar, cream, unsweetened whipped cream, honey, coconut, green apple, lime skin, citrus blossoms, lavender, grassy, dried leaves, licorice, nutmeg, thyme, spice, pink peppercorn, white pepper, leather, touch of smoke, subtle sweetness.

Finish: Anise, licorice, peppermint, apple skin, dried lime skin, floral, white pepper, mineral, complex, rich, creamy, smooth, great for a cocktail.


Silver Medal
   Silver medal



Erie Distillery White Rum

 


 

A brief history of rum.
Rum is a sugar cane distilled spirit that is directly influenced by terroir, tradition and technique. Sugar cane can be grown anywhere in the world that hosts a tropical climate, but the Caribbean was usually considered as the predominant producer of rum.

White rum is also known as "silver" or "light" rum. It is light-bodied, light in color and lightly sweet in flavor. As is all rum, white rum is produced from sugarcane juice and molasses, and normally has a short distillation period. But unlike gold, dark and aged rums which are matured in charred oak casks, white rum is mellowed in plain oak casks or stainless steel tanks for about a year, then filtered. By aging the spirit in this way, the final product remains clear. Rhum Agricole is produced mainly in the French West Indies. The main ingredient in Rhum Agricole is sugarcane, with a tasting profile defined by dry, grassy notes. This differs from rums produced from molasses with sweeter, vanilla flavors.

Rum in the Americas.
During the 18th century, the 159 distilleries in New England produced huge quantities of quality rum from molasses shipped to the colonies from the islands. More rum was made in Colonial America than in the Caribbean, and rum became the colonists' most popular spirit. Twelve million gallons of rum were consumed annually by the early colonists. After the Revolution, as the trading of molasses was restricted by the British, Americans switched to home-grown products such as corn and grain. The American whiskey industry was born, and whiskey replaced rum as the tipple of choice. Most New England distillers closed shop, but rum production continued in the Caribbean, shipping most of the product to Europe.

George Washington, the first President of the United States of America, knew the value of supplying the public with a little rum. When running for a seat in the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1758, Washington gave out 28 gallons of rum and 50 gallons of rum punch, as well as wine, beer and cider – to 391 voters. It cost his campaign £50 (about $8,000 today), but he won his seat.
The strangest rum fact: When Admiral Nelson died in the Battle of Tralfager, his body was preserved during the voyage home in a cask of rum before it was laid to rest.

Following World War II, rum became hip in pre-Castro Cuba where luxury hotel bars in Havana became notorious for their rum-based cocktails. Ernest Hemingway's favorite cocktail was made with white rum at the notorious Cuban bar El Floridita. Then in the late 50s early 60s there was the Tiki Bar craze, such as Trader Vic's with its exotic rum cocktail concoctions.

White rum continues its popularity to this day. Within the last five years, production of rum has seen a resurgence with over 700 distilleries currently producing rum in the U.S. Ironically, most people are unaware that they are drinking white rum – the base spirit in a Mojito, Daiquiri, Rum & Coke, and Piña Colada – since it doesn't change the color of the drink.

 

 

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