The best rum in the world, according to the San Francisco World Spirit Competition

Is there a better spirit to sip than rum? Many would argue not. Born in the tropics, rum exudes a laid-back energy that can instantly transport a drinker to the sandy beaches, crystal blue waters and sunny skies of their hometown. That ability to tap into this deep-seated joy has helped push rum sales to record highs in recent years.

Rum is no longer reserved for fruity blender drinks and has undergone a renaissance in the eyes of drinkers. Like its Mexican cousin, tequila, drinkers are discovering rum’s inherent craftsmanship and heritage that has existed quietly behind the scenes for centuries. This has led to increased demand for premium and super-premium rum, as mixologists build cocktails around it and drinkers discover its inherent drinkability.

All over the world today, established and emerging craft distillers are producing truly fantastic bottles. While that’s good news, it has also led to an abundance of wealth when it comes to choices when looking for the best of the best bottles. Luckily, the San Francisco World Spirit Competition (SFWSC) just released the list of finalists for the Best in Class Rum Awards. The overall champions will be awarded in October.

Called the “Oscars” of the spirit world, the SFWSC has been spotlighting the world’s best spirits for forty-four years. As one of the largest international spirits competitions, every bottle received is subjected to an extensive blind taste-testing panel of industry experts. Achieving a medal at the event (they award bronze, silver, gold and double gold) takes any bottle to the next level. But making the finalist list means something special that drinkers should immediately look for.

If you’re a rum lover or just interested in what all the fuss is about, we recommend getting your hands on one of the crème-de-la-cream of the category, extra-aged rum. Loaded with layers and flavors thanks to the time spent in the barrel, they perfectly emphasize the complexity found in rum. Here are the five finalists, each a double gold medal winner, in no particular order.

Saltwater’s Crew only 8 year old rum

This German rum perfectly highlights the growing global appeal of rum today. Made at Saltwater’s, a five-year-old distillery just outside Berlin known for its gins, it’s another little-known rum that has turned heads at SFWSC in recent years. Made from a worldly blend of rums from Trinidad, Panama, Nicaragua, Jamacia and Spain, it has tasting notes of caramel, toffee, molasses and leather. Best of all, it only costs $33.

Zacapa XO

Located in Guatemala, the Zacapa Distillery produces some of the world’s most renowned rums. One of the most distinctive aspects of their rum is the use of virgin sugar cane honey sourced from the first pressing of sugar cane. This contrasts with the molasses used in most other rums, resulting in a smoother and sweeter rum. Zacapa XO demonstrates their rum making prowess. Made from a selection of rums aged between 10 and 25 years in a system of whisky, sherry and wine casks, before finishing in French brandy casks, every sip is bursting with flavour. It costs $119 per bottle and is an ideal addition to any bar.

Flor de Cana 18

For more than a century, the rums from Flor De Cana, a family distillery in the heart of Nicaragua, have wowed judges and rum enthusiasts. Located at the foot of the San Cristóbal Volcano, the volcanic soil, enriched water and favorable climate allow the distillers to create unique and smooth rum. Flor de Caña 18 undergoes a meticulous aging process that imparts distinctive flavors and aromas, resulting in a rum with unparalleled depth, complexity and character. It costs $58 a bottle and exhibits flavors of butterscotch, raisins and honey with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and orange peel.

Mount Gay Single Estate Series

One of the oldest rum distilleries in the world, Mount Gay began making rum in Barbados in 1703; it has helped shape the discussion around rum. By using traditional copper pot stills and column stills in the distillation process, they tap into the unique terroir of Barbados. Part of what makes the rum unique is the molasses it makes on site and the coral filtered water used in the distillation process, sourced from the original well dug centuries ago. Their Single Estate Series of Rums is a limited edition bottling made entirely from pot still rum and aged in Bourbon and American Oak barrels. The flavors cost $400 per bottle and perfectly balance sweet and spicy flavors.

The ImpEx Collection 2007 15 YO Long Pond Rum Cask

Founded in 2008 as an importer of premium and rare spirits from around the world, ImpEx has expanded in recent years, creating several high-quality lines of their own award-winning products. In collaboration with notable small and medium-sized distilleries, they create unique bottlings. Their 2007 15 Year Old Long Pond Rum Cask is one such bottle. A Jamaican rum made at the famous Long Pond Rum Distillery, aged for fifteen years to produce a rum packed with distinctive funky tropical flavors of bananas and molasses with hints of oak and vanilla. It costs $120 per bottle.