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Aiko Tanaka on La Favorite Cœur de Canne: Pure Cane Heart

9/10

Ti' Punch perfection

The Ti' Punch — rhum, cane syrup, lime — is the national drink of Martinique, and Cœur de Canne makes the finest version I've ever had. The intense fresh cane character stands up to the lime, the syrup rounds the edges, and the result is devastatingly delicious. A rite of passage.

Mia Sundberg on Wood's Old Navy Rum: Bold and Powerful

7/10

Bold and uncompromising

At 57% ABV, Wood's doesn't pull any punches. The dark molasses and treacle hit you first, then the burn, then the chocolate and burnt toffee. It's a bruiser of a rum that rewards dilution — with ginger beer it becomes magnificent. Neat, it's a challenge.

Oscar Delgado on Havana Club 3 Años: The Benchmark Cuban White

8/10

The real Cuban Mojito experience

Spent two weeks in Havana and this was in every bar. There's a reason — the light sweetness, the hint of toasted oak from the brief ageing, and that clean finish make it the perfect Mojito base. Bring a bottle back every time I visit.

Olivia Wong on Mount Gay XO: The World's Oldest Rum Distillery's Finest

8/10

Smooth as silk

The mouthfeel on Mount Gay XO is extraordinary — silky, creamy, almost oily. Caramel, vanilla, butterscotch, and toasted coconut with a touch of dried fruit and oak spice. The finish is long and warming with a pleasant nutmeg note. Very well made.

Ayako Hirano on Rhum J.M VSOP: The Spirit of Macouba

8/10

Pairs beautifully with dark chocolate

Discovered this pairing by accident — J.M VSOP with 70% dark chocolate. The earthy mineral character of the rum, the vanilla and tobacco from ageing, and the cane sweetness complement the chocolate beautifully. The volcanic terroir adds a savoury note. A revelation.

Connor McBride on Wood's Old Navy Rum: Bold and Powerful

9/10

Real navy rum lives on

In a world of smooth, sweet, approachable rum, Wood's Old Navy at 57% is a reminder of what rum used to be — bold, dark, and intense. Deep molasses, treacle, dark chocolate, burnt sugar, and a warming finish that lasts for minutes. This is rum with heritage and backbone.

Noah Williams on La Favorite Cœur de Canne: Pure Cane Heart

8/10

Agricole at its most honest

There's no hiding behind barrel ageing or sweetness here. Cœur de Canne is naked agricultural rum — grassy, fresh, with sugarcane front and centre. It demands attention and rewards it with citrus, white flower, and mineral complexity. Not for everyone, but essential for agricole lovers.

Sophie Brennan on Santa Teresa Gran Reserva

7/10

Reliable and crowd-pleasing

Brought this to a rum tasting and it disappeared fast. Rich golden colour, soft butterscotch and vanilla nose, approachable and sweet on the palate with just enough oak tannin for balance. Works neat, on ice, or in a cocktail. The kind of rum that makes everyone at the table happy.

Freya Lindqvist on Neisson Réserve Spéciale: Small-Batch Agricole Excellence

9/10

Small distillery, big flavour

Neisson is one of Martinique's smallest distilleries and arguably its finest. The Réserve Spéciale has a beautiful balance of fresh cane character with ageing — vanilla, dried fruit, gentle oak, and a distinctive floral note. The cane is brighter and more lifted than J.M or Clément. Exceptional.

Finn OBrien on Plantation O.F.T.D. (Old Fashioned Traditional Dark): Overproof Alliance

9/10

Bartender-designed brilliance

Created in collaboration with bartenders from Stockholm, London, New York, and Berlin, OFTD was designed to work in cocktails. The three-country blend at 69% ABV delivers dark chocolate, molasses, banana, and coffee with an intensity that powers through any mixer. Purpose-built and perfect.

Priscilla Nunes on La Favorite Cœur de Canne: Pure Cane Heart

8/10

Heart of the cane indeed

The name means 'heart of the cane' and it's apt. This blanc agricole captures the purest expression of fresh Martinique sugarcane — grassy, vegetal, with notes of citrus, white flower, and a hint of green banana. Clean and vibrant. Perfect in a Ti' Punch.

Yasmine Najjar on Gosling's Black Seal: Bermuda's Legendary Dark Rum

7/10

Great in cocktails, OK neat

This is really designed for mixing rather than sipping. The heavy molasses and brown sugar character is wonderful in a Dark and Stormy or a Rum Punch, but on its own it can feel a bit one-note. The butterscotch sweetness is pleasant but there's not a lot of complexity.

Victor Osei on Rhum J.M VSOP: The Spirit of Macouba

8/10

More intense than Clément

If Clément is the elegant side of Martinique agricole, J.M is the intense side. The cane character is richer, the oak influence is bolder, and there's a depth that demands attention. Vanilla, tobacco, earthy minerals, and a long, complex finish. Not a background sipper.

Suki Patel on Myers's Original Dark Rum: The Bartender's Secret Weapon

7/10

Jamaican dark with character

Myers's has a distinctly Jamaican character beneath all that molasses darkness — there's a fruity, slightly funky note that sets it apart from other dark rums. Rich coffee, caramel, and brown sugar with a hint of banana. Excellent for baking and great in a Rum Punch.

Sophie Brennan on Privateer Navy Yard

8/10

Beautifully balanced agricole

Gorgeous nose of fresh sugarcane, green banana, and wet grass. On the palate it's vibrant and alive — herbal, slightly floral, with a mineral backbone that gives real structure. The finish is long and clean with a pleasant vegetal note. Completely different from molasses-based rums and absolutely brilliant in a Ti'Punch.

Finn OBrien on Probitas White Blended Rum: Foursquare Meets Hampden

7/10

Perfect daiquiri rum

Bright and characterful with lovely grassy cane notes, fresh lime-like acidity, and just enough funk to make things interesting without overwhelming the drink. Shaken into a classic daiquiri, it's absolutely superb — the rum shines through rather than hiding behind the citrus. Great value too.

Liam Anderson on Wood's Old Navy Rum: Bold and Powerful

9/10

My grandfather's rum

Wood's Old Navy was what real men drank in my grandfather's day. The 57% proof, the dark molasses intensity, the burnt sugar and chocolate — it's unfashionable and unapologetic. But there's a soul to this rum that trendy brands can't replicate. Pour it with respect.

Erik Strom on Gosling's Black Seal: Bermuda's Legendary Dark Rum

6/10

A bit too sweet for me

The molasses and brown sugar sweetness is quite pronounced, even for a dark rum. I prefer something with more oak and spice to balance things out. It makes a decent Dark and Stormy where the ginger beer cuts through, but neat I find it cloying after a glass.

Marco Andretti on Havana Club 3 Años: The Benchmark Cuban White

7/10

Reliable and consistent

Every bottle tastes the same, which is what you want from a mixing rum. Light body, gentle vanilla and almond notes, clean dry finish. It won't change your life but it'll make a very good cocktail every single time.

Noah Williams on Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva: Venezuela's Velvet Jewel

8/10

After-dinner excellence

Skip the port and pour Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva after dinner. The dark chocolate, toffee, and brown sugar notes are more satisfying than most desserts. A splash of cream makes it even more indulgent. The Venezuelan origin adds an exotic touch that always impresses guests.

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