Think of spiced rum and a certain popular seafaring figure might be the first thing that springs to mind. But broaden your horizons like a buccaneer to discover a whole world of sophisticated spirits in the canon.
Spiced rum is essentially a flavoured rum. It’s distilled in the exact same way as any other molasses-based rum, but following that process and at some point during ageing, spices, aromatics and fruits can be added to impart additional flavours. While in the past, the method may have been developed to mask some of the less refined notes of the drink in question, distillation has since come on leaps and bounds. However, some distilleries continue to experiment with spiced expressions of their spirit – and to excellent results.
The best spiced rums often showcase some of the more traditional spices associated with the drink – including vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon – but some modern interpretations feature less common flavours. Just look to Honeybell Spiced Rum – awarded Silver at the IWSC 2022 – which uses English blossom honey as its star flavouring. Or top-scoring Hidden Loot Dark Reserve Spiced Rum from Naud, which has a Panamanian rum as its base spirit, and counts chilli and coconut among its ten fruits and spices. Trash & Treasure’s Spiced Botanical Rum even makes use of discarded and waste ingredients like fruit peel and garden weeds to achieve its signature flavour.
Read on for eight award-winning examples of spiced rum from this year’s IWSC – best enjoyed neat over ice and with a wedge of lime, mixed with your favourite tonics and sodas, or even in an especially warming hot toddy in the winter months.
HOW DO WE JUDGE THESE SPIRITS?
We run a tightly structured, rigorous spirits tasting process. That means that each spirit sample is pre-poured into numbered glasses and assessed blindly by the judges. Most importantly, our IWSC spirit judges are experts in their field, who work across all sectors of the drinks industry. For evidence, see our full list of judges.
HOW DO WE SCORE THESE SPIRITS?
Only the best spirits sampled receive a Gold or Silver award. For example, to win Gold, spirits have to score between 95 and 100 points. Meanwhile, Silver wines range from 90 to 94 points. Click here to read more on our scoring system.
MORE FROM CLUB OENOLOGIQUE
Club O is an exclusive community and the go-to platform for wine and spirit lovers. Our flagship Club Oenologique magazine offers even more insights for enthusiasts and collectors. Based in London, our editorial team tells informative, inspirational stories from the world of wine and spirits, gastronomy and travel, as well as covering recommendations and the latest trends in drink. You can take a look at our Explained series, for instance, where we’re tackling grape varieties, regions and styles of wine and spirits. Alternatively, visit our Ask the Sommelier section, where experts answer your wine-related questions.
Eight of the best rums from the IWSC 2022
Famille Naud, Hidden Loot Dark Reserve Spiced Rum
Honeybell, Spiced Rum
Barbican Botanics, Spiced Rum
Mounts Bay Distillery, Keynvor Cornish Spiced Honey Rum
Trash & Treasure, Spiced Botanical Rum
Ableforth's, Rumbullion!
The Custom Spirit Co., 114 Proof Spiced Rum
