11 must-try rums from around the world

The diversity of rum is closely tied to its geographical origins, with each region developing its own production methods and traditions.

• Rums from Latin America and Spanish-speaking Caribbean countries (Cuba, Guatemala, Panama, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela) are often made from molasses and distilled in column stills. They typically offer a smooth and rounded profile, sometimes enhanced by specific ageing methods like the solera system.
• Rums from the English-speaking Caribbean and Guyana (Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad, Grenada, Guyana) are mostly produced from molasses, distilled in either copper pot stills or traditional column stills. These rums tend to be more intense and aromatic, ranging from heavy Jamaican rums rich in esters to Navy-style blends historically issued to British sailors.
• Rums from the French West Indies and the Indian Ocean (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Marie-Galante, Réunion) often follow strict legal frameworks, especially for agricole rums, which are made from the fermentation and distillation of fresh sugarcane juice. These regions also produce more unusual styles, such as Grands Arômes from Réunion, known for their heavily fermented and powerful profiles, similar to some Jamaican or Guyanese rums.

Neisson Distillery

It was on the lands of La Thieubert that brothers Adrien and Jean Hildebert Neisson founded their distillery in 1932. At the time, it was a small operation equipped with a new Mariolle Fives-Lille mill, powered by a steam engine dating back to 1880, and a traditional chimney. In 1952, a Savalle column still was added to the setup.

In 1986, Claudine Neisson-Vernant took over the family distillery. With the help of her son, Grégory Vernant, she initiated a series of modernisations to the production process, ensuring the legacy of Neisson would continue into the future.

Over the years, Neisson rums have earned a strong reputation on the global market, notably by winning several IWSC medals for expressions such as L’Esprit white rum and Rhum Bio Par Neisson.

In 2012, Grégory Vernant-Neisson launched the transition to organic farming, aiming to convert 49 hectares of cultivated land in Le Carbet and Saint-Pierre.

Discover a rum from the Neisson distillery

Papa Rouyo Distillery

The name of the Papa Rouyo Distillery was no accident. It pays tribute to Charles Albert Ruscade, known as Papa Rouyo, the son of a master planter on the Portland estate.

However, he was not the one to found the distillery that now bears his name. In 2012, his grandson, with the support of a collective of local planters, chose to name their micro-distillery on the road to Sainte-Claire in Goyave in his honor.

Discover a rum from the Papa Rouyo distillery

Karukera Distillery

Karukera is a relatively young company founded in 2006 by Grégoire Hayo and François Longueteau Sr., on the Marquisat de Sainte-Marie estate.

Grégoire Hayo, then financial director at the Damoiseau distillery, aimed to elevate the production of aged agricole rum, a segment still underdeveloped in Guadeloupe compared to Martinique. Together, they founded Marquisat de Sainte-Marie with the goal of refining the maturation of locally produced rum by aging the distillate in their cellars, with a particular focus on French oak barrels.

Discover a rum from the Karukera distillery

Hampden Distillery

The Hampden rum distillery in Jamaica was originally established as a sugar plantation in 1753 by Archibald Stirling.

In 1779, the Great House of Hampden was built and served as a rum warehouse until the early 20th century. The estate changed ownership in 1827, becoming property of the Kelly-Lawson family, who expanded operations to include the construction of a dock during World War I for exporting sugar and rum.

Historically producing rum for merchants and blenders, Hampden launched its first official bottlings of aged rum from its own warehouses in 2018, marking a new era for this legendary distillery.

Discover a rum from the Hampden distillery

Maison Planteray (formerly Plantation)

Passionate and meticulous, Alexandre Gabriel took the helm of the historic Maison Ferrand distillery in 1989. Despite initially limited sales, he was immediately captivated by cognac and began expanding his knowledge and distribution network.

In the 1990s, he traveled across the Caribbean to discover and select the finest rums, creating the “Plantation” range—renamed “Planteray” in 2024—which highlights the terroirs of each rum.

In 2012, his expertise was recognized when he was named Rum Master Blender of the Year and Distiller of the Year.

Today, he is the president of Maison Ferrand and continues to focus on producing quality spirits that reflect their origins, including cognac, Citadelle gin, and Planteray rum.

He has also invested in the West Indies Rum Distillery and the National Rum of Jamaica to ensure the quality and supply of his products.

Discover a rum from the Planteray brand

Isautier Distillery

Founded in 1845 by Louis and Charles Isautier, Isautier is the oldest rum production facility on Réunion Island, remaining active for nearly two centuries. From the start, the Isautier brothers were passionate about sugarcane, launching a family business that has now spanned six generations.

Under the leadership of Antoinette Isautier from 1865, the distillery gained international renown and won numerous awards for the quality of its rums.

In the early 20th century, Alfred Isautier innovated by creating the triangular bottle that has become iconic for the brand.

In 1970, Isautier launched its first rhum arrangé, following a local tradition that blends white rum with spices, leaves, and bark.

Then, in 2010, the distillery introduced new rhum arrangé expressions in a distinctive bottle called Quadra, and since 2016, the company has regularly won awards for these products. In 2015, their 7-year-old aged rum was named “Best Spirit in the World” at the Spirits Selection competition.

Discover a rum from the Isautier distillery

Renegade Distillery

In 2020, Mark Reynier and his partners established the Renegade Distillery in Upper Pearl, a town in the parish of Saint Andrew in northeastern Grenada.

From the outset, the distillery owned over one hundred hectares of sugarcane fields, spread across eight sites along the island’s southern and eastern coasts.

The uniqueness of these plots lies in their careful selection based on geological and climatic characteristics, which influence the aromatic profiles of the pure juice distillates. In total, there are five cane varieties across forty distinct plots.

To produce its rums, the distillery is equipped with two stills: a double-retort pot still and a Coffey still.

Discover a rum from the Renegade distillery

Providence Distillery

Opened in 2018 in Haiti, Providence Distillery is the result of a collaboration between the Linge de Berling family, heirs to a Haitian rum-making dynasty, and La Maison & Velier, a partnership between La Maison du Whisky in France and Velier in Italy.

The new distillery was built in Port-au-Prince on the historic site of Habitation Sarthe Providence, a former sugarcane and rum production estate.

Inspired by the discovery of Clairins, traditional Haitian artisanal rums, the founders chose to establish the distillery there to continue this tradition using ancestral and organic methods.

In January 2019, the distillery began producing its first Providence spirit, marking the start of a new era for Haitian rum, with plans to expand the range to include white and aged rums.

Discover a rum from the Providence distillery

Dictador Distillery

In 1751, Severo Arango y Ferro arrived in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, tasked with overseeing and developing trade between the Americas and Spain. Due to his strong and authoritative personality, he quickly earned the nickname “Dictador,” which later inspired the name of the Dictador distillery.

In 1913, one of his descendants, Don Angel Núñez, founded his own company, Destilería Colombiana. He expanded its influence and increased the distribution of spirits and wines.

The family business continued to thrive until it became part of a larger group, which helped it gain recognition and expand its presence in the international market. It is also distinguished by its use of cane honey instead of molasses in rum production—a choice that forms part of its identity and expertise.

Discover a rum from the Dictador distillery

Takamaka Distillery

Founded in 2002 by Richard and Bernard d'Offay, the Trois Frères Distillery is located on the island of Mahé in the Seychelles archipelago, situated in the Indian Ocean.

Takamaka rums, partly made from locally grown sugarcane cultivated on the island’s distinctive granite soil, not volcanic, reflect the uniqueness of their terroir, setting them apart clearly from other rum-producing regions.

Takamaka offers two types of rum: a heavy agricole rum, distilled in pot stills and highly aromatic, and a light rum, produced through column distillation. It is by combining these two styles that the d’Offay brothers develop their full range.

Discover a rum from the Takamaka distillery

Don Papa Distillery

The Bago - Don Papa distillery was founded in 1902 on the west coast of Negros Island, in Bago, the historic sugar capital of the Philippines.

Acquired by San Miguel Corporation in 2003, it processes 9,000 tonnes of sugarcane daily.

The name Don Papa was inspired by Dionisio Magbuelas, known as Papa Isio, a leader of the Philippine revolt between 1896 and 1898.

A unique feature of the Don Papa distillery is that its barrels are rested at the foot of Mount Kanlaon, the highest point on Negros Island, standing at 2,435 meters.

Discover a rum from the Don Papa distillery

La Maison du Whisky has three boutiques in Paris:

• 20 rue d'Anjou, 75008 Paris
• 6 carrefour de l'Odéon, 75006 Paris
• 11 rue Tiquetonne, 75002 Paris

In each of these boutiques, you'll find a wide selection of whiskies, rums, sakes, and other fine spirits.

Follow our tasting calendar for upcoming events, or visit the Golden Promise Whisky Bar, which offers an extensive selection of whiskies and other spirits by the glass.

You can also discover other articles about armagnac.