White Rum 2019
 

Best White Rum - 2019

The Fifty Best White Rum Tasting

 

The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a "blind" tasting of 20 white rums with eighteen members of our spirits judging panel. Strict tasting rules were applied. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. Each of the white rums were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles, and served at slightly above room temperature. Only ice water, neutral unsalted crackers and chips were available to cleanse the palate.

The judges wrote down their impressions of each product on score sheets. The scoring was done on a 5-point system, with 5 as the highest. Double-Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges.

The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated. The country/state of origin and ABV are identified for each rum.



DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL WINNER

Ron Diplomático Planas
(Venezuela) 94 prf
Mellowed in small casks.

Nose: Sugarcane, cane sugar, brown sugar, faint vanilla, cream, coconut, bananas, pineapple, fig, pear, 7-Up soda, lemon, lime, spearmint, subtle jasmine, herbal, tarragon, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, cedar, oak, aromatic.

Palate: Sugarcane, dark brown sugar, molasses, root beer, caramel, clotted cream, creamy, coconut, banana, pineapple, papaya, passionfruit, apple, pink lady apple, lemon, lime, orange blossom, rose, sweet tea, spearmint, clover, eucalyptus, very surprising popcorn, almond, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking spice, spicy, pepper, soft, ultra-smooth.

Finish: Sugarcane, molasses, creamy, buttery, vanilla, honey, coconut, papaya, warm apples, pear, orange, lemon, bergamot, almonds, clove, allspice, cinnamon, spice, peppery, woody, nice heat, lingering nuttiness, fresh, big, smooth.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal

 



Ron Diplomático Planas




GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Drake's Organic White Rum
(Drake’s Organic Distilleries, NY) 80 prf
Distilled from USDA certified organic cane sugar. Aged in American white oak barrels. Filtered through coconut fiber.

Nose: Fig jam, mango, coconut, pineapple, banana, papaya, apricot, plum, lychee, pear, apple, sweet lime, bubblegum, subtle honeysuckle, rose, herbal, sage, cilantro, vegetal, Brazil nuts, almond, butter, grassy, grass skirt, a luau, aged old-vine wine.

Palate: White chocolate, nougat, sugarcane, vanilla, cream, whipped cream, clotted cream, honey, creamy banana, pineapple, plummy, sour orange, lime, honeysuckle, green leaves, grass, mint, peppermint, licorice, nutmeg, tobacco, full flavored, clean, smooth.

Finish: Caramel, vanilla, whipped cream, Juicy Fruit gum, sweet peach, banana, guava, lychee, herbal, eucalyptus, clove, nutmeg, allspice, baking spice, pepper, soft, smooth, easy to drink.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal

 



Drake's Organic White Rum




Cape Cod Great White Rum
(Astraluna, MA) 86 prf
A blend of Caribbean & New England white rums.

Nose: Butterscotch, Werther’s Original, vanilla, creamy, crème brulee, White Russian, Kahlua, coconut, pineapple, papaya, passion fruit, mango, banana, tangerine, orange, dried figs, subtle leafy, nutty, roasted pistachio, cardamom.

Palate: Butterscotch, creamy, praline, warm toffee, chocolate, mocha, sugarcane, brown sugar, powdered sugar, vanilla, coconut, pineapple, mango, guava, banana, toasted banana peel, fig, lemon, rosewater, grassy, spearmint, dill, tarragon, nutty, nutmeg, clove, spice, hot pepper, tobacco, good for mixing, rich, dessert-like, pleasant.

Finish: Butterscotch, nougat, chocolate, cocoa, vanilla, whipped cream, coconut, pineapple, bruised banana, banana peel, apple, orange, spearmint, tarragon, hot pepper, leather, smooth, really delicious.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal

 



Cape Cod Great White Rum




Shuga White Rum
(Karrikin Spirits Co., OH) 80 prf

Nose: Butterscotch, burnt sugar, dark chocolate, whipped cream, honey, pineapple, banana, papaya, apricot, pear, lemon, citrus, honeysuckle, elderflower, rose, lilac, violet, floral, fresh leaves, grass, rice, peanut butter, cedar, mineral, lake water, sake, plum wine.

Palate: Nougat, custard, sugarcane, walnut syrup, coconut, coconut water, banana, pineapple, dried pineapple, apricot, pear, citrus, orange, grapes, violets, elderflower, rosewater, herbal, grass, dill, mint, white pepper, cinnamon, licorice, cereal, sake, unfiltered sake, soil, wood, cedar, creamy, smooth, savory.

Finish: Sugarcane, molasses, creamy, zesty vanilla, pineapple, lychee, coconut water, figs, apple, pear, floral, rosemary, thyme, great spice, sharp pepper, nutty, oaky, madeira-like, well-balanced, complex, rich, savory.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal

 



Shuga White Rum




Atlantico Platino Ron Artesanal
(Dominican Republic) 80 prf
Finished in tempranillo casks.

Nose: Butterscotch, caramel, nougat, sugarcane, toasted sugar, wood sugar, chocolate, chocolate milk, cocoa powder, milk chocolate wafers, mocha, vanilla, buttery, cream, cream of coconut, Coco Lopez, coconut, coconut milk, dried apricots, dried figs, white flowers, light floral, spearmint, walnut, coffee, very light cinnamon, allspice, clean, fresh.

Palate: Chocolate, chocolate covered dates, cocoa, mocha, brown sugar, molasses, vanilla, vanilla wafers, clotted cream, whipped cream, creamy, buttery, coconut, banana, bitter melon, eucalyptus, almonds, hazelnut, nutty, coffee bean, clove, cinnamon, salty, smooth, silky.

Finish: Vanilla, vanilla shake, ice cream, whipped cream, creamy, buttery, coconut milk, chocolate, Bosco, honey, banana, raisins, demerara sugar, orange peel, peppermint, hazelnut, walnut, nutty, cinnamon, clove, spicy, white pepper, bright.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal



Atlantico Platino Ron Artesanal




Tanduay Silver Asian Rum
(Philippines) 80 prf

Nose: Molasses, sugar cane, caramel, cotton candy, piña colada, coconut, dates, pineapple, cranberry, lemon, dried apples, dried pear, dried fruit, banana peel, honey, vanilla, vanilla cream, coco butter, the beach.

Palate: Caramel, molasses, cane, butter, vanilla, vanilla ice cream, coconut, coconut crème, cream, pineapple, clover honey, Hawaiian flowers, cinnamon, dusty, earthy, musty, sweet pine, oak.

Finish: Caramel, molasses, brown sugar, cocoa, vanilla, coconut milk, pineapple, orange peel, hint of lime, cinnamon, earthy, oak, balanced.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal



Tanduay Silver Asian Rum




Crostwater White Rum
(Holy Water Distillery, PA) 82 prf
Distilled from cane sugar.

Nose: Sugarcane, brown sugar, molasses, pineapple, coconut, sweet apricot, pear, apple, lavender, herbal, sage, minty, cereal, nutty, tobacco, soil, earth, cedar, toasty oak, sherry barrel, fresh, agricole.

Palate: Praline, nougat, sugarcane, molasses, vanilla, cookie dough, pastry, toasted marshmallows, whipped cream, lightly sweet coconut, apple, cherry, orange, verbena, anise, herbaceous, mint, almond, pecan, nutty, white pepper, woody, oak, creamy, balanced, smooth, rich, sherry, agricole.

Finish: Vanilla, cream, marshmallow cream, sugarcane, burnt sugar, cocoa, maple syrup, banana, cherry, apple, bitter orange, licorice, sage, pecan, hazelnuts, nutty, nutmeg, spicy, white pepper, woody, oak, cereal, sherry, super-dry, flavorful, complex.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal



Crostwater White Rum




MuckleyEye East Coast White Rum
(Colt’s Neck Stillhouse Co., NJ) 80 prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, light mocha, sugarcane, powdered sugar, vanilla, cream, coconut, fruit gum, banana, pear, faint apple, lemon peel, herbal, elderflower, grassy, leafy, fresh vine, light vegetal, roasted nuts, chartreuse, empty bourbon cask.

Palate: Sugarcane, molasses, burnt sugar, vanilla, whipped cream, lemon custard, coconut, clover honey, guava, banana, figs, orange blossom, violets, verbena, licorice, eucalyptus, powdery mint, nutty, white peppercorn, smoky, fresh wood barrel, balanced, clean, soft, smooth, rich.

Finish: Nougat, vanilla, sugarcane, honey, tropical fruit, pear, orange peel, coconut water, honeysuckle, jasmine, flora, herbal, cilantro, spice, pepper, peppery, white peppercorn, mineral, woody, oak, well-balanced, clean, easy, silky, nice finish.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal



MuckleyEye East Coast White Rum




Brigham Rum
(Distillery 36, UT) 80 prf
Distilled from 100% natural cane & Rocky Mountain spring water. Copper still.

Nose: Caramel, brown sugar, burnt sugar, butter rum, nutty brittle, cocoa, faint milk chocolate, Froot Loops, Fruity Pebbles, pear, bergamot, Jif peanut butter, hazelnut, walnut, almonds, pecans, nutty, nutmeg, dark bran cereal, biscuits, mint, chervil, grassy, earthy, soil, smoke, new pine wood.

Palate: Chocolate, cocoa, creamy, mocha, burnt sugar, pear, papaya, coconut, green apple, grape, lilac, anise, hazelnut, nutty, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, tarragon, white peppercorn, pepper, cereal, Latakia tobacco, cedar, oaky, woody, nicely balanced, rich, bold, smooth.

Finish: Chocolate, egg cream, sugarcane, biscuit, lemon, grassy, almond, cashew, nutty, oregano, white pepper, hot pepper, coffee, soil, smoky, rhum agricole, creamy, smooth, flavorful, very pleasant, easy to sip.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal



Brigham Rum




Gaspar’s Silver Rum
(Tampa Bay Rum Co., Tampa, FL) 80 prf

Nose: Butterscotch, caramel, cream, butter-rum toffee, burnt caramel, brown butter, cotton candy, vanilla, vanilla extract, banana, plantain, pineapple, coconut, papaya, tropical fruit, dates, apricot, lemon, lilac, floral, herbal, light coffee, cedar.

Palate: Sugarcane, cane sugar, molasses, maple syrup, chocolate, crème brulee, custard, buttery, creamy, whipped cream, vanilla, coconut, apricot, dates, banana, banana peel, citrus sting, flowers, sage, herbs, pecan, spicy, light Agricole, mouth-watering, smooth, soft, complex, approachable.

Finish: White chocolate, crème brulee, chocolate pudding, brown sugar, burnt sugar, vanilla, apple, herbal, peppermint, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, spice, pepper, white pepper, wood, soft, mellow, pleasant, elegant.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal



Gaspar’s Silver Rum




SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Denver Distillery Silver Rum
(Denver Distillery, CO) 80 prf

Nose: Sweet cream of wheat, cinnamon toast crunch, corn, peach, apricot, melon, pear, apple, lemon, lime, chervil, honeysuckle, lilac, rose, floral, perfume, herbal, mint, spearmint, peppermint, oregano, nutmeg, smoke, cedar.

Palate: Chocolate, creamy, maple syrup, sugarcane, pear, peach, lime, lemon zest, verbena, ginger, rose, jasmine, lavender, floral, eucalyptus, herbal, mint, spearmint, anise, licorice, Red Hots! Cinnamon candy, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, earth, light smoke.

Finish: Cocoa, sugarcane, burnt sugar, lavender, white flowers, dill, dry tarragon, herbs, mint, anise, lightly peppery, earthy, woody, rich.


Silver Medal
   Silver medal



Denver Distillery Silver Rum




Taildragger White Rum
(Tailwinds Distilling Co., IL) 80 prf
Distilled from sugarcane molasses.


Nose: Sugarcane, molasses, pineapple, banana, coconut, guava, pear, green apple, lemon, apple skin, green grapes, roses, violets, bay rum cologne, anise, leafy, grassy, dill, mint, dried herbs, nutmeg, peppery, mineral, musky, cedar, light agricole, delicate.

Palate: Papaya, pineapple, apricot, peach, black cherry, pear, lemon, tangy dried fruit, agave, mushroom, violets, eucalyptus, light mint, almond, walnut, allspice, thyme, white peppercorn, tobacco, tea leaf, grassy, moss, forest floor, earthy, peat, mineral, woody, oak, tropical, soft, complex.

Finish: Banana, pineapple, pear, grassy, mint, black tea, walnut, coffee, spicy, peppery, leather, wet stone, mineral, oak, cedar, woody, smooth.


Silver Medal
   Silver medal



Taildragger White Rum




Vitae Spirits Platinum Rum
(Vitae Spirits Distillery, VA) 80 prf
Distilled from American sugar cane molasses & Blue Ridge Mountain water.

Nose: Butterscotch, caramel, custard, crème brulee, honey, molasses, maple syrup, buttercream, melted butter, buttered popcorn, cereal, coconut, banana, pineapple, mango, unripe cut apple, anise, grassy, leaves, leafy, wood sap, mossy, soil, earthy, cedar, agricole.

Palate: Crème brulee, cookie dough, creamy, vanilla, cream soda, chocolate, sugarcane, guava, mango, dried fruits, buttered bread, cereal, buttered popcorn, olives, grassy, green leaves, herbal, mint, hazelnut, creamy cinnamon, tarragon, light spice, white peppercorn, cedar, well balanced, velvety, soft, extremely smooth, a good mixer, perfect for sipping.

Finish: Caramel, sweet cream, burnt sugar, coconut, banana, tangerine, spearmint, menthol, muted spice, light pepper, peppery, smoked BBQ, musty shed, soft oak, great finish.


Silver Medal
   Silver medal



Vitae Spirits Platinum Rum




Twenty Boat Cape Cod White Rum
(South Hollow Spirits, MA) 80 prf
Twice distilled from 100% sugarcane.

Nose: Nougat, sugarcane, marzipan, caramel corn, honey, lemon, cereal, oatmeal, biscuit, bread, pizza dough, hops, floral, herbal, grass, hay, mint, elk licorice, cashews, nutty, clove, light peat, soil, agricole, fresh, clean laundry.

Palate: Nougat, brown sugar, sugarcane, pear, pear juice, sour apple, rose, violets, orange blossom, herbaceous, herbal tea, anise, eucalyptus, mint, spearmint, almond, nutty, tea leaves, allspice, baking spices, white pepper, black pepper, soil, smoky, woody, very oaky, rich, creamy.

Finish: Praline, chocolate, mocha, sugarcane, powdered sugar, honey, pear juice, ginger, banana peel, wintergreen, mint, almond, allspice, pepper, peppery, musty, woody, cedar, smooth, nice easy finish.


Silver Medal
   Silver medal



Twenty Boat Cape Cod White Rum




Bones Virgin Islands White Rum
(St. Thomas, V.I.) 80 prf

Nose: Sugarcane, brown sugar, sweet rice water, vanilla, coconut, lemon-lime, lilac, jasmine, elderflower, violets, floral, spearmint, eucalyptus, tea leaves, fresh-cut grass.

Palate: Praline, chocolate, sugarcane, vanilla, creamy, coconut cream, whipped cream, honey, lemon, blossom, herbal, mint, eucalyptus, white pepper, mineral, cedar, woody, balanced, bouncy, velvety, smooth.

Finish: Mocha, molasses, vanilla extract, oatmeal, porridge, coconut, figs, citrus, anise, jasmine, nutty, spicy, white pepper, mineral, nutty, wood grain, woody, well balanced, smooth, surprising, relaxing.


Silver Medal
   Silver medal



Bones Virgin Islands White Rum




Inland Sea Rum
(Lakeward Spirits, NY) 80 prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, treacle, brown sugar, vanilla, cream, banana, ripe plantain, coconut, lychee, dates, star fruit, lemon, lime, cherry, Juicy Fruit gum, sweet dough, almond, nutty, banana leaf, olives, black salt, clean linen.

Palate: Vanilla, vanilla bean, nougat, demerara, toffee, honey, ripe banana, ripe plantain, date puree, buttery, creamy, coconut, orange peel, lime, lemon grass, grassy, tobacco leaves, pepper, earthy, smooth.

Finish: Vanilla, salt water taffy, toffee, molasses, coconut, ripe plantain, orange peel, grassy, baking spices, musty, well balanced, tasty.


Silver Medal
   Silver medal



Inland Sea Rum




Tanduay White Rum
(Philippines) 80 prf

Nose: Molasses, sugar cane, toffee, vanilla, bananas foster, ripe plantain, melted sugar, pastry, orchids, flowers, green beans, mountain creek water, bright.

Palate: Toffee, caramel, caramelized brown sugar, vanilla, honey, cantaloupe, ripe plantain, crunchy snap peas, green beans, vegetal, lemony, mint, tobacco leaves, peppery, nice spice, gently sweet, mineral.

Finish: Caramel, toffee, brown sugar, sweet cane, vanilla, orange blossom honey, banana, ripe plantain, lemon, vegetal, almond, pepper, peppery sweetness, tobacco leaves, clean, rich, velvety, pleasant.


Silver Medal
   Silver medal



Tanduay White Rum



BRONZE MEDAL WINNERS

Topper's Caribbean White Rhum
(St. Maarten) 80 prf
Distilled from sugarcane molasses.


Nose: Cocoa, apricot, berries, tangerine, apple, figs, coconut, dried fruit, cereal, floral, herbal, grass, eucalyptus, mint, menthol, mineral water, musky, woody.

Palate: Chocolate mousse, mocha, buttercream, maple syrup, sweet candy, complex red berries, strawberry, coconut, passionfruit, orange, lemon-lime, citrus, banana peel, lilac, herbal, mint, nutty, almond extract, pepper, coffee grounds, chalky, leathery, peat, rich.

Finish: Chocolate, Andes mint, brown sugar, sweet cane sugar, dragon fruit, anise, mint, spearmint, herbal powder, cinnamon, tarragon, spice, nutty, pepper, baby powder, clean, fresh, easy to drink.


Bronze Medal
Bronze medal



Topper's Caribbean White Rhum




Bahama Blue “Everything’s Cool” Rum
(Colorado) 80 prf
Unaged white rum with color added.


Nose: Praline, penny candy, blueberry muffin, Double Bubble gum, cherry, blueberry, banana, guava, coconut, violets, fennel, peppermint, clean.

Palate: Molasses, blueberry muffin, blueberry, peach, passionfruit, coconut, bubblegum, honeysuckle, rosewater, floral, eucalyptus, minty, grassy, herbal, sage, nutmeg, spice, baking spice, pepper, salt, cream, wood.

Finish: Butterscotch, vanilla, sweet cream, creamy, mango, tropical fruit, dried orange peel, violet, rosewater, floral, herbal, licorice, minty, grassy, musty, spicy.


Bronze Medal
Bronze medal



Bahama Blue “Everything’s Cool” Rum

 

 

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