What's New and Exciting in the Rum World?
JOY HUNNEYBALL - MUSWELL HILL STORE
What comes to mind when you think of rum? Pirates? Buried treasure? The Royal Navy?
Think again.
We're entering a new golden age of rum — one led by innovation, sustainability, and craftsmanship.
I've selected five standout producers from our expertly curated rum portfolio, who are bringing a fresh new perspective to the rum scene. They are combining new and innovative approaches to distillation and farming with age-old practices to produce some outstanding rums.
Takamaka – Seychelles' Rising Star
Takamaka is an exciting craft rum distillery based in La Plaine St Andre, Seychelles, led by brothers Richard and Bernard d'Offay. They're reinventing tropical rum by combining locally grown sugar cane, imported premium molasses, and pure spring water from their estate.
Their collection offers something for everyone, from a refreshing white rum selection to deep, spicy expressions.
Their wide range of rums begins with the Rum Blanc, whose soft, creamy character and aromatic undertones make it perfect for the base of your favourite tropical cocktail. Their Dark Spiced boasts notes of local spice, caramel, vanilla and papaya, while their Extra Noir is both punchy and sweet, pressed in both French oak and ex-bourbon casks to deliver a sumptuously dark-coloured rum. For even more complexity, their Zepis Kreol displays a remarkable depth of flavour, island sweetness mingling with cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, quatre épices and rich oak. On a level of its own, Le Clos Napa Laz is made from 100% locally farmed, non-hybrid varieties of sugarcane, with notes of green pepper, papaya, lime zest, minerality, and brioche.
The labels are invitingly vibrant, featuring leafy designs that wrap around the bottles and an oceanic turquoise colour scheme, complemented by matching boxes. From the humble cocktail staple to the collector's item, Takamaka has something for everyone. — Ideal for luxury rum gift sets or your next tropical tipple.
Rum Explorer – A World of Flavour
If you're looking to buy premium rum online and fancy discovering something new, Rum Explorer is for you. Rum Explorer specialises in sourcing rums from around the world, refining them at the home of renowned Calvados production, Château du Breuil, and releasing them to the world, giving curious and adventurous consumers a chance to discover new and authentic regions and styles of rum.
Here are just a few examples from their range. Their classic Caribbean Rum is a blend of rums from various Caribbean countries, resulting in a complex and aromatic rum with notes of roasted pineapple, candied fruit, and nuts. Moving a little further afield, all the way from Australia's oldest rum distillery, Beenleigh Distillers' 5-year-old, small-batch artisan rum boasts a silky and complex aromatic palate, thanks to ageing in ex-bourbon barrels. The floral expression is complemented by aromas of liquorice, cedar, and cinnamon, with a long finish. Moving on to Central America, what began as a bar in Belize City and now includes the Rum Heritage Museum, Travellers Distillery in Belize, presents Belize Travellers Distillers 2/3 years. Its fuller, more rounded feel and enhanced aroma come from the American oak barrel, once used for a Cognac-based spirit. On the nose, ripe banana and flower honey emerge. The palate is light and floral, leading into notes of citrus, cooked banana, and cocoa, with a cinnamon and raisin finish.
The labels and boxes display flowery fonts and designs, each product with its own unique colour scheme and floral stamp design. There is no doubt that Rum Explorer was designed for the truly adventurous.
Eminente – Cuban Elegance Meets Sustainability
Eminente is the creation of César Martí, the youngest Maestro Ronero (Rum Master) in Cuba. It is my go-to recommendation for customers looking for a gift due to its wild, animalistic, yet luxurious style. Their sleek bottles are inlaid with a scale design, which is a nod to the Cuban Crocodile. Their focus on luxury extends to their boutique bars in some of Europe's most lavish destinations. They offer a beautiful aged rum collection:
Made in the Cuban-Spanish style, their entry-level rum is the Ámbar Claro, crafted with light rum and 30% aguardiente (Cuban molasses eau-de-vie) and aged for three years. Aromas of chamomile, green apple and nuts are followed by a palate of poached pear and roasted spices and a finish of caramel cream and pepper. The next level up is their Reserva, made with light rum and 70% aguardiente and aged for 7 years in white oak ex-whisky barrels. On the nose, notes of dulce de leche, toasted almond, and coffee lead to a palate of cane sugar, prune, and Sichuan pepper, with a finish of pear, molasses, and chocolate. A rum and cigar pairing dream. Their final product is the Gran Reserva, which is made with light rum and 80% aguardiente and aged for 10 years. On the nose, aromas of flowers, coffee, red fruits and honey emerge. On the palate, notes of sandalwood, orange blossom, dried apricot, chilli pepper, and hazelnut emerge, followed by a finish of pine sap, caramel, and saffron, creating an exquisite and complex rum.
Eminente is not only making strides in rum production but also in sustainability. Undertaking a three-year project in partnership with a Cuban farm, they are creating a seed bank to preserve and enrich local biodiversity, with plans to donate any profits back into the community. So when you buy their rum, you're also supporting a good cause.
Dictador – Colombia's Collector's Choice
With bold design and even bolder taste, Dictador is one of Colombia's leading collector's rum bottles. Led by Master Blender Hernán Parra Arango, their expressions offer both beauty and depth with age.
The D12 Blend is a harmonious blend of richness and smoothness, achieved by combining rums aged between five and twelve years in American Oak casks. On the nose, prominent notes of leather, maple syrup, and tobacco are followed by a palate of fruit and honey, complemented by creamy spices. Tobacco reappears on the finish, along with coffee and a light oakiness. In contrast, the D20 Blend utilises rums aged between seven and twenty years, resulting in a more complex and refined product. Aromas of coffee, toffee, seeds, smoky honey and oak lead into a palate of roasted honey, cocoa and nuts. The finish is all citrus and oak, with a rare texture that adds to its matured complexity. The next level up is the Aurum, with its exquisite metallic gold packaging. Hernan Parra Arango's favourite selection. Matured for 25 to 35 years in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, this rum boasts incredible depth, with aromas of Colombian coffee, vanilla, roasted honey, and oak. On the palate, spice and oak complement an exceptionally smooth mouthfeel, followed by a long, spicy, chocolate-filled finish. The Platinum follows with its equally stunning silver bottle, also aged 25 to 35 years, this time matured in re-charred American Oak ex-bourbon and port casks for an intense, complex and irresistibly smooth rum. On the nose, notes of white chocolate, honey, and parfait caramel emerge, leading into a palate of Colombian coffee, fudge, and vanilla. Light oak emerges for a sweet yet delicate finish—a true luxury rum gift.
Whether you're looking for a fresh addition to your drinks cabinet or a collector's item that'll sparkle on your shelf, Dictador has the perfect rum for you.
Cut Rum – British Innovation in a Bottle
UK-based Cut Rum is all about using the best ingredients, equipment and rum from around the world to create new and unique rums. Created with a blend of hand-crafted rum from Trinidad and Jamaican rum from the Lluidas Vale, one of just five estates still producing sugar cane and rum since the last significant drought. The rum is produced in pot stills made by award-winning Scottish still makers Forsyths and aged in ex-bourbon barrels. With a focus on natural ingredients, Cut Rum sources vanilla and peppercorns from Madagascar, coriander seed, cinnamon and aniseed from South India, and nutmeg from the West Indies.
All these spices are infused in their Spiced Rum, along with ginger and lemon peel. On the nose, notes of vanilla, toasted orange, and pancake batter emerge, followed by a bold, creamy palate of sea salt, pepper, and caramel. For those who prefer something a little stronger, their Overproof Rum is infused with the same spices but distilled at an ABV of over 60%, resulting in greater complexity and depth. Aromas of pancakes, waffles, and motor oil are present, while on the palate, notes of vanilla, coconut oil, cinnamon, and butterscotch are discernible. A very special overproof rum, but the other rum in their collection is perhaps even more exciting. The Smoked Rum is the very first smoked rum to be made in the UK. After being infused with Arabica coffee beans, it's smoked with burnt wood chips and left to rest in oak barrels. On the nose, notes of cocoa nib, oaked vanilla, coffee and pipe tobacco lead into a palate of leather, matchstick smoke, charred wood and brown sugar.
But it's not just the rum itself that's modern and innovative. Bold font and shiny metallic colours make the labels stand out from the crowd. As their manifesto states: "No pirates. No sea monsters. No pin-up girls. Just the best-tasting rum for people who know the difference."
From bold new blends to heritage-rich expressions, the world of rum continues to evolve, and these standout brands are leading the way. From smoky overproof experiments to luxurious aged Cuban rums and vibrant tropical styles, there's never been a better time to explore what's out there. At Amathus, we're proud to bring together a curated collection that showcases the best of both tradition and creativity. From Jamaican rum specialists in the UK to aged Caribbean rum delivery, our range includes everything from smooth sipping rums and bold cocktail bases to rare collector's items. So, if you're looking to buy premium rum online, explore our collection and discover your next favourite bottle.
