White rum, also known as light or silver rum, is a type of rum aged for a shorter period than darker varieties, such as gold or dark rum.
It’s made from sugarcane juice or molasses and is typically aged for one to three years in oak barrels or stainless steel tanks. During the aging process, the rum takes on a light color, which ranges from clear to pale yellow.
White rum is often used in mixed drinks, such as the Mojito, Daiquiri, and Piña colada, and cooking and baking. It’s also commonly used as a base for liqueurs and cordials.
Due to its light and smooth taste, it’s often preferred by drinkers who aren’t used to the heavier and more complex flavor of aged rums.
White rum is known for its delicate, smooth, light aroma with fruit and sugar notes and its lightly sweet, clean, and crisp taste.
Due to its light flavor profile, it’s also often used in rum-based cocktails to complement other ingredients rather than overpower them.
Also check: 20 Best Dark Rum Brands
If you’re a white rum lover, here are 15 top-shelf white rums you can try.
Best White Rum: 15 Options You Must Try!
If you’re new to white rum, here’s a list of top-shelf white rums you can try, such as the following:
1. Plantation 3 Stars White Rum
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Plantation 3 Stars White Rum is a premium blend of aged rums from Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad. The rum is aged for 1 to 2 years in oak barrels before being blended and bottled.
One of the unique characteristics of Plantation 3 Stars White Rum is its use of double aging. The rum is first aged in the tropical climate of its origin country, then transported to France, where it’s aged again in small oak barrels.
This process gives the rum a complex flavor profile with notes of vanilla, caramel, banana, and spices.
The rum is bottled at 41.2% ABV, and it’s recommended to be served neat or with a light mixer. It’s often considered one of the top-shelf white rums, praised for its complexity and balance of flavors.
Plantation 3 Stars White Rum can be used in various cocktails, such as the Daiquiri, Mojito, and Pina colada, and as a base for tropical punches.
Also check: 15 Best Coconut Rum for Cocktails
2. Diplomático Planas White Rum
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Diplomático Planas is a white rum produced by Destilerías Unidas, a Venezuelan distillery. It’s made from sugarcane juice and is aged for up to six years in American oak barrels.
Diplomático Planas White Rum is known for its smooth and complex flavor profile, with notes of tropical fruits, such as banana and pineapple, as well as vanilla and caramel. The rum is bottled at 47% ABV.
It’s a versatile rum that can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks, but it also can be used in a variety of cocktails like Daiquiris and Mojitos or even in tropical drinks like Pina colada.
Diplomático is an award-winning brand and is considered a top-shelf white rum.
More: 20 Tropical Rum Cocktails For Summer
3. Appleton Estate Reserve White Rum
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Appleton Estate Reserve White Rum is a premium white rum produced by the J. Wray & Nephew Ltd distillery in Jamaica. The rum is made from a blend of column still and pot still rums that have been aged for a minimum of five years in oak barrels.
This white rum is bottled at 40% ABV. It has a smooth and complex flavor profile, with notes of tropical fruits, such as pineapple and banana, and hints of vanilla and spice.
Appleton Estate Reserve White Rum is considered a top-shelf white rum, recommended to be served neat or with a light mixer.
4. El Dorado 3 Year Old White Rum
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El Dorado 3 Year Old White Rum is a premium white rum produced by Demerara Distillers Limited in Guyana, South America. The rum is made from molasses and is aged for three years in oak barrels.
El Dorado 3 Year Old White Rum is known for its smooth and balanced flavor profile, with notes of tropical fruits, such as banana and pineapple, and hints of vanilla and caramel.
The rum is bottled at 40% ABV, and its recommended to be served neat or on the rocks and can also be used as a base for cocktails or in cooking and baking.
El Dorado’s production process starts with the traditional method of using a combination of both pot and column stills.
Its aged rums are blended and aged using the solera system, giving them a consistent and smooth character. The brand is also the holder of some of the oldest aged rums in the world.
5. Mount Gay Silver Rum
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Mount Gay Silver Rum, also known as Mount Gay Eclipse Silver, is a premium white rum produced by Mount Gay Distilleries Ltd in Barbados. The rum is made from molasses and is aged for a minimum of two years in oak barrels.
Mount Gay Silver Rum is known for its smooth and light flavor profile, with notes of tropical fruits, such as banana and pineapple, and hints of vanilla and caramel.
The rum is bottled at 40% ABV and can be served neat, on the rocks, in cocktails, or with a light mixer.
Mount Gay Silver Rum is well-known for being the oldest rum producer in the world, with records dating back to 1703.
The brand’s rum has a reputation for quality and tradition and is considered one of the most iconic rums in the Caribbean.
6. Brugal Añejo Rum
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Brugal Añejo Rum is a premium aged rum produced by the Brugal Distillery in the Dominican Republic. The rum is made from molasses and sugarcane juice and is aged for up to five years in American oak barrels.
Brugal Añejo Rum is known for its smooth and complex flavor profile, with notes of vanilla, caramel, and cocoa and hints of tropical fruits such as banana and pineapple. The rum is bottled at 38% ABV.
Brugal Añejo Rum is typically enjoyed neat or on the rocks, and it can also be used as a base for cocktails, like Old fashioned, or in cooking and baking.
Brugal is a well-established brand in the Caribbean rum market. Its añejo rum is considered a classic and highly recommended for enthusiasts looking for an aged rum with a smooth, rich and complex flavor profile.
7. Ron del Barrilito 3 Star White Rum
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Ron del Barrilito 3 Star White Rum is a premium aged rum produced by Hacienda Santa Ana in Puerto Rico. The rum is made from molasses and is aged up to 10 years in American oak barrels.
Ron del Barrilito 3 Star White Rum is known for its complex and nuanced flavor profile, with notes of caramel, vanilla, wood, and spices and subtle hints of tropical fruits. The rum is bottled at 43% ABV.
Ron del Barrilito 3 Star White Rum is typically enjoyed neat or on the rocks and is considered a sipping rum. It’s not usually used as a mixer in cocktails but rather savored as a standalone spirit.
Ron del Barrilito 3 Star White Rum is considered a top-shelf aged rum, and it’s praised for its complexity, balance, and depth of flavors.
The brand has a long history of producing rum, dating back to 1825, and it’s considered a highly sought-after rum among enthusiasts and collectors.
8. Zacapa XO White Rum
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Zacapa XO White Rum is a premium aged rum produced by the Zacapa Distillery in Guatemala.
The rum is made from a blend of rums aged 6 and 25 years in a solera system of American oak barrels previously used for aging sherry, port, and cognac.
Zacapa XO White Rum is known for its rich and complex flavor profile, with notes of caramel, toffee, vanilla, and dried fruits and subtle hints of tropical fruits. The rum is bottled at 40% ABV.
Zacapa XO White Rum is typically enjoyed neat or on the rocks and is considered a sipping rum that can also be used as a base for cocktails, such as rum Old fashioned.
This rum is often considered luxurious and highly recommended for enthusiasts looking for a top-shelf aged rum with a rich and complex flavor profile.
9. The Real McCoy 3-Year White Rum
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The Real McCoy 3-Year White Rum is a premium aged rum produced by Foursquare Distillery in Barbados. The rum is made from molasses and aged for at least three years in American oak barrels.
The Real McCoy 3-Year White Rum is known for its smooth and well-balanced flavor profile, with notes of tropical fruits, such as banana and pineapple, and hints of vanilla and caramel. The rum is bottled at 40% ABV.
The Real McCoy 3-Year White Rum can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks, and it can also be used as a base for cocktails, such as a Daiquiri, Mojito, or Piña colada.
The brand is named after the famous prohibition-era rum runner Bill McCoy, who was known for smuggling high-quality rum into the United States.
10. Hampden Estate White Overproof Rum
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Hampden Estate White Overproof Rum is a premium aged rum produced by the Hampden Estate distillery in Jamaica.
The rum is made from pure single-estate sugarcane juice and aged up to 7 years in American oak barrels.
Hampden Estate White Overproof Rum is known for its unique and potent character, with a high alcohol content (usually around 57-63% ABV) typical of Jamaica’s traditional style.
It has a strong and complex flavor profile, with notes of tropical fruits, such as banana and pineapple, and hints of vanilla, caramel, and spices, floral and grassy notes with a touch of funkiness characteristic of rums produced at Hampden.
Hampden Estate White Overproof Rum is typically enjoyed in small amounts, as it can be quite strong, and is recommended for mixing in cocktails due to its high alcohol content.
Some cocktails made with Hampden Estate White Overproof Rum include Mai Tai, Zombie, and Painkiller.
Hampden Estate White Overproof Rum is considered a top-shelf aged rum, and it’s praised for its unique and complex character. It’s a must-try for rum enthusiasts and those looking for a traditional style of Jamaican rum.
It’s also considered a rare and hard-to-find product due to the small quantity produced.
11. Rhum J.M Blanc Agricole
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Rhum J.M Blanc Agricole is a premium aged rum produced by Rhum JM in Martinique in the French West Indies.
The rum is made from sugarcane juice instead of molasses and is aged for up to three years in oak barrels. This style of rum production is known as “rhum agricole” and is specific to the French Caribbean islands.
Rhum J.M Blanc Agricole is known for its unique and complex flavor profile, with notes of tropical fruits, such as banana and pineapple, and hints of grass, vanilla, and spice. The rum is bottled at 50% ABV.
Rhum J.M Blanc Agricole can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks, and it’s considered a sipping rum.
It can also be used as a base for cocktails traditionally made with white rums, such as Daiquiris or Ti’ Punch (a traditional French Caribbean drink made with rum, lime, and sugarcane syrup).
Rhum J.M Blanc Agricole is a top-shelf rum and a must-try for rum enthusiasts and those looking for a traditional style of Rhum Agricole.
12. Ron Zacapa Centenario Sistema Solera 23 White Rum
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Ron Zacapa Centenario Sistema Solera 23 White Rum is a premium aged rum produced by the Zacapa Distillery in Guatemala.
The rum is made from a blend of rums aged 6 and 23 years in a solera system of American oak barrels previously used for aging sherry, port, and cognac.
Ron Zacapa Centenario Sistema Solera 23 White Rum is known for its rich, smooth, and complex flavor profile, with caramel, dried fruits, chocolate, vanilla, and wood notes. The rum is bottled at 40% ABV.
Ron Zacapa Centenario Sistema Solera 23 White Rum is typically enjoyed neat or on the rocks and is considered a sipping rum. But it can also be used as a base for cocktails.
The Ron Zacapa Centenario rum is a rich, smooth, complex spirit with a unique profile and a great choice if you’re looking for a top-shelf aged rum.
13. Cana Brava 3 Year White Rum
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Cana Brava 3 Year White Rum is a premium aged rum produced by the SBS Distillery in Panama. The rum is made from molasses and aged for at least three years in American oak barrels.
Cana Brava 3 Year White Rum is known for its smooth and well-balanced flavor profile, with notes of tropical fruits, vanilla, and caramel, as well as a subtle hint of oak and spice. The rum is bottled at 43% ABV.
Cana Brava 3 Year White Rum can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or as a mixer in cocktails such as Daiquiris, Mojitos, and Piña coladas.
Panama is known for its unique rums due to the blending of Caribbean and Central American styles, with Cana Brava being one of the most renowned brands with a reputation for quality and authenticity.
Its aged rums are considered a benchmark in the aged rum category and a perfect representation of traditional Panamanian rum.
14. Flor de Caña 4-Year-Old White Rum
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Flor de Caña 4-Year-Old White Rum is a premium aged rum produced by Flor de Caña Distillery in Nicaragua. The rum is made from molasses and aged for a minimum of four years in oak barrels.
Flor de Caña 4-Year-Old White Rum is known for its smooth and well-balanced flavor profile, with notes of tropical fruits, vanilla, caramel, and a subtle hint of oak and spice. The rum is bottled at 40% ABV.
Flor de Caña 4-Year-Old White Rum can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or as a mixer in cocktails.
Flor de Caña brand is one of the most well-known rum producers from Nicaragua and is considered one of the most iconic rum brands from Central America.
Its rums are known for being aged longer than the industry standard, which adds depth and complexity to the final product.
15. Havana Club 3 Años White Rum
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Havana Club 3 Años White Rum is a premium aged rum produced by Havana Club International in Cuba. The rum is made from a blend of rums aged for a minimum of three years in oak barrels.
Havana Club 3 Años White Rum is known for its smooth and well-balanced flavor profile, with notes of tropical fruits, vanilla, and caramel, as well as a subtle hint of oak and spice. The rum is bottled at 40% ABV.
Havana Club 3 Años White Rum can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or as a mixer in cocktails like Daiquiris, Mojitos, and Piña coladas.
The brand is one of the most well-known and iconic rum brands from Cuba, with a long history and tradition of rum-making dating back to the 19th century.
Havana Club’s production process is closely monitored to maintain the smoothness and balance of the rum, with a strict aging process and a secret blend of rums.
Havana Club 3 Años White Rum is an excellent example of a traditional Cuban rum, and it’s considered a must-try for rum enthusiasts and those who are looking for a smooth and well-balanced aged rum.
Related Questions
Is Bacardi a Good White Rum?
Bacardi is a well-known rum brand producing various rum products, including white rum. Some people consider Bacardi a good white rum, while others may have a different opinion; it all depends on your personal preferences.
The most popular white rum by Bacardi is Bacardi Superior – aged for a minimum of one year in white oak barrels and has a light fruity flavor with notes of vanilla and almond.
Also check: Bacardi Rum Prices And Sizes
What’s the Smoothest Rum?
Aged rums tend to be smoother than younger rums. This is because the aging process allows the rum to develop a more complex flavor profile, which can result in a smoother and more rounded taste. Some of the smoothest rums include:
- Ron Zacapa Centenario Sistema Solera 23
- Mount Gay XO
- Appleton Estate Reserve Blend
- Hampden Estate White Overproof Rum
What’s the Most Top Shelf Rum?
The most top-shelf rum is Ron Zacapa Centenario Sistema Solera 23. Still, there are other high-quality rums like Hampden Estate White Overproof Rum, Appleton Estate 21Year Old Reserve, and Plantation Xaymaca Special Dry.
What’s the Number 1 Rum in the World?
The best rum is a matter of personal taste and preference. There are many high-quality rums, and Hampden Estate Pure Single Jamaican Rum is considered a high-quality rum, and it’s among the top rums in the world.
What Are the Best White Rums for Mojitos?
Some popular white rums often used in mojitos include Bacardi Superior, Havana Club Añejo Blanco, Mount Gay Silver, Flor de Caña 4 Year White Rum, and Don Q Cristal.
What’s the Best White Rum for Cocktails?
The best white rum for cocktails can vary depending on personal taste, but some popular options include Bacardi Superior, Havana Club Añejo Blanco, Mount Gay Silver, Flor de Caña 4Year White Rum, and Don Q Cristal.
What’s the Best White Rum for Pina Colada?
Some of the best white rums for Pina Colada are Bacardi Superior, Cruzan Silver, Malibu, Pyrat XO Reserve, and Parrot Bay Coconut Rum.
Closing Thoughts
White rum is a versatile spirit commonly used in various cocktails.
It’s best to experiment with different types of white rum to find the one that suits your taste preference. Try any of the white rums above and enjoy.
Also, share your favorite white rum in the comment section below.
