The Spaniards introduced sugar cane to the Caribbean centuries ago, and today the region remains the world’s leading producer of rum in both volume and variety.
Made from fermented sugar cane juice or molasses, rum appears in an impressive array of styles—New York City alone offers more than 400 different bottlings. Despite that diversity, most rums fall into four broad categories: light, gold, dark and spiced.
Light rums (also called white or silver) are typically light-bodied with a gentle molasses note and a clean finish, making them ideal for cocktails. Popular examples include Atlantico Platino (Dominican Republic), Barbancourt White Rhum (Haiti), Don Q Cristal (Puerto Rico), Rhum J.M. White (Martinique) and Tommy Bahama White Sand (Barbados).
Gold or amber rums are usually medium-bodied and have spent time in oak barrels, which gives them their color and adds depth of flavor. They tend to be richer than light rums and work well both neat and in mixed drinks. Notable gold rums include Atlantico Reserva (Dominican Republic), Bacardi Gold (Puerto Rico), Cruzan Single Barrel (St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands), Don Q Gold (Puerto Rico) and Gosling’s Gold (Bermuda).
Dark rums (sometimes called black rums) are fuller-bodied with more pronounced, robust flavors—often featuring molasses, caramel and spice notes—and a deep color from extended aging or the addition of caramel. Examples to try are Angostura 7-Year-Old (Trinidad and Tobago), Appleton Estate Extra (Jamaica), Bacardi Select (Puerto Rico), Myers’s Original Dark (Jamaica) and Stolen Dark (Trinidad and Tobago).
Spiced rums are typically based on gold rum but are blended with spices and sometimes caramel, which can deepen their color and add aromatic complexity. These rums are popular in cocktails and for sipping. Well-known spiced rums include Captain Morgan Black, Clarke’s Court Spicy Rum (Grenada), Montecristo Spiced (Guatemala), Oakheart Genuine Spiced (Bermuda), Rhum Barbancourt Pango (Haiti) and Vizcaya VXOP Cask 21 (Dominican Republic).
Availability and prices vary across the United States, and the best choice depends on how you plan to use the rum—mixing, sipping or exploring regional styles. The Caribbean’s long history with sugar cane continues to yield a vibrant and varied rum culture that offers something for nearly every palate.