Rum has seen a resurgence in popularity over the last few years, with plenty of high-quality and luxury brands becoming household names over the last 20 to 30 years.
However, many people have worried that this sudden interest in the flavor, texture, and presentation of many types of rum (attention that rum rightly deserves as an excellent spirit) will see the end of reasonably priced rum names, as it becomes an exclusive spirit that rubs shoulder with the classic whiskey, vodkas, and bourbons that have held that title.
Fortunately, that explosion of many names in rum distilling and production has meant that there are plenty of rum spirits that taste excellent, whilst remaining affordable. In fact, some of these rums cost less than even the cheaper names in vodka or gin!
In this article, we’ll be looking at the best cheap rums on the market today, so you can enjoy a great-tasting drink without breaking the bank.
The 10 Best Cheap Rums
OUR TOP PICK
Distilled and aged in Puerto Rico, Havana Club is one of the most well-known rum producers around the world.
Today, they produce a large range of different rums, including their line of premium rums, which are produced from molasses distilled twice before being aged for between 6 months and 2 years.
This rum is also available as a blend, which means that if you want to buy a cheaper version, then you could opt for a blend of several different rums rather than buying just one single rum.
It’s not too sweet, although it does contain enough residual sugar to give it a nice caramel note when mixed into drinks. The aroma is quite fruity, with hints of vanilla and oak coming through, along with citrus notes.
However, the real star of this rum is its taste; it has a lovely balance of sweetness and bitterness, with flavors of dark fruits like cherry, plum, blackberry, and more tropical fruit like mango and guava.
You won’t get any harsh alcohol burn here, and the finish is very smooth, leaving your mouth feeling clean and refreshed. Overall, this is a great blend for those who don’t want to spend much money on a rum, but still want something delicious to sip on.
These rums are made using molasses from sugar cane grown in Cuba, which gives them a rich, sweet aroma and flavor profile.
EDITORS CHOICE
If you’re after something really good, then Gosling’s Black Seal Rum may be exactly what you need.
Although it doesn’t come cheap, this rum is worth every penny. It’s been awarded gold medals by both the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the New York Wine & Food Festival and was named “Best Dark Rum” in the 2006 International Rum Masters Awards.
What makes this rum stand out? Well, firstly, it’s bottled at 40% ABV, making it a great strength rum when compared to most other rums on the market.
Secondly, it’s aged in ex-bourbon barrels, giving it a complex flavor profile that combines the richness of bourbon with the spice of Jamaican rum. As such, it’s perfect for sipping neat or mixing into cocktails.
As far as price goes, this isn’t the cheapest rum on the market, but it’s certainly not far from being. You could easily pick up a bottle for under $15, and it will last you for quite a while too.
BEST VALUE
Whilst Angostura is best known for its top-notch bitter collection, they have also begun to branch out into distilling rum for your drinking pleasure in recent years.
One of these products is the 5-year rum, which is an excellent example of what can be achieved when a company takes time to develop a new product.
The aroma is very strong, with lots of spices like cloves and cinnamon coming through, along with some sweet notes of honey.
However, the taste is where things start to get interesting. A lot is going on here, with a mix of spicy, sweet, sour, and salty flavors all working together to create a truly unique experience.
Overall, this is a fantastic rum that should appeal to anyone looking for an affordable, yet delicious option.
RUNNER UP
From its beautiful amber color to the delicious spiced taste it leaves in your mouth, you can't go wrong with 9 spiced rum from Cruzan!
It’s one of the strongest rums available, so if you’ve never tried anything stronger than 7-up before, this is a step in the right direction.
The aroma is packed full of spices, including clove, nutmeg, pepper, ginger, and cinnamon – just about everything you would expect from a traditional Caribbean cocktail.
This particular brand of rum comes from the US Virgin Islands and is distilled from molasses produced from sugarcane grown there. This means that it contains no additives whatsoever, and is therefore 100% natural.
Overall, this is a fantastic drink to enjoy straight or to add to your favorite cocktails. If you’re looking for a high-strength rum that tastes amazing, look no further than Cruzan 9 Spiced Rum.
RUNNER UP
With no added sugar, you'll be surprised just how flavorful this light-bodied rum is! Flor de Caña has been around since 1823 and is now owned by Bacardi.
Flor de Cañas is made using a double distillation process, meaning that two different types of alcohol are created.
The result is a smooth, slightly sweet rum with a mild vanilla note. It's the perfect balance between sweetness and dryness and is ideal for mixing with fruit juices.
If you're looking for a low-calorie alternative to regular spirits, this is worth trying. It's also a great choice for those who want something fruity and refreshing without any calories.
RUNNER UP
Appleton's Special Gold is the perfect rum to introduce to beginners who want to try their first rum, and want it to be a flavor and experience that they'll remember!
It's a medium-strong rum that's aged in ex-bourbon barrels, giving it a rich, woody character. It's not overly sweet but does contain a fair amount of caramelized sugars.
This makes it incredibly easy to drink, as the sweetness doesn't overpower the rest of the ingredients. Appleton's Special Gold is perfect for sipping neat or mixed with other drinks.
Try adding this to an old-fashioned, or even a mojito - it will take them both to new heights!
If you're after an affordable rum that will give you a real taste of the Caribbean, then Appleton's Special Gold might just be the one for you.
RUNNER UP
Of course, a list about rums would not be complete without at least one appearance from Bacardi and their extensive line of exquisite spirits. For this list of reasonably priced rums, we have decided to go with the Superior white rum.
And it's not just a title, either! This might be one of the best cheap white rums you can find out there right now!
Made from cane sugar, molasses, and water, this rum has a very distinctive taste, which gives it its name.
To get the full effect, you should sip on this rum slowly, allowing it to settle into your stomach before taking another sip.
It's very well balanced, so you won't feel overwhelmed by any strong flavors. Instead, you'll notice subtle notes of coconut, orange peel, and vanilla.
At only a little over $10 per bottle, this is certainly one of the cheapest white rums available online today. So, if you're looking for a truly exceptional tasting rum that will last you all night without breaking the bank, then look no further than Bacardi Superior.
RUNNER UP
Cristal is Don Q's premium brand, offering some of the most expensive rum on the market. But don't let this put you off! Their range includes plenty of affordable options too, including this delicious rum.
This is the perfect blend of oak aging and sugarcane, resulting in a complex, yet delicate rum.
A lot is going on here, with lots of spice and citrus that combine beautifully with the creamy mouthfeel that goes smoothly down your throat. This is a unique rum and one that's sure to please anyone who enjoys a good mix of flavors.
You may think that this is a bit pricey for a rum, but when you consider how much you'd pay for a similarly flavored spirit, you'll see why this is such a bargain. At under $15 a bottle, this is one of the best values around. A must-buy for any fan of rum!
RUNNER UP
Barbancourt is a French company, known for producing some of the world's finest wines. They also make some excellent spirits, including this lovely white rum.
Aged in charred American oak casks, this rum has been blended using a secret recipe that combines three different types of sugarcane. The result is a smooth, flavorful rum that's bursting with tropical fruit aromas and flavors.
Like many of these rums, Barbancourt White Rum isn't particularly sweet. However, this doesn't mean that it lacks flavor. It's quite the opposite. There's a great balance between the fruity, spicy, and floral flavors, making this a fantastic choice for mixing up cocktails.
While it's true that this is slightly pricier than some of the others on our list, it still makes an incredible value.
RUNNER UP
For this final rum entry on this list, we travel to Saint Lucia, the home of the Chairman's Reserve rum distillery, where they produce some of the world's most popular rums.
The Chairman's Reserve line offers a wide variety of products, ranging from their more famous extra-aged rums to their less-expensive offerings. This particular rum falls into the latter category, being among the cheaper of their offerings.
Although it's not as high quality as some of the other rums on this list, it does offer some pretty impressive qualities at a reasonable price point.
Unlike many of the other rums featured on this list, this one is made using molasses rather than cane sugar. As a result, it has a richer, sweeter taste than most of the others. It also contains added caramel color, giving it a golden hue.
Conclusion
So there you have it! Our top twelve cheap rums. We hope you've enjoyed reading this article, and found it useful. If you did enjoy it, be sure to share it with your friends and other rum connoisseurs!
I want to share with you all of my favorites, as well as share advice on picking certain alcohols and flavors.
I hope you enjoy my articles as much as I enjoyed researching them!
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