Staple Varieties

You don’t have to be a rum collector to cover the basics.

Bacardi Reserva Ocho (8-Year)

A column still aged rum (④). This is an excellent introductory rum—as is the 10-year variety. It is smooth enough to sip and versatile enough to be used in most cocktails. Bacardi has impressive distribution and this rum is available in many grocery stores.

Gosling’s Black Seal

A black blended rum (⑤). Aside from being the cornerstone of a Dark ‘n Stormy or a Cuba Libre, Gosling’s is a great choice whenever a recipe—baking or cocktail—calls for a “dark” or “black blended” rum. It is superior to Myer’s dark rum in every way.

Journeyman Road’s End

A pot still lightly aged rum (①). Journeyman makes two varieties: an unaged regular proof and a lightly aged overproof. They are both excellent.

Appleton Estate Reserve (12-Year)

A blended aged rum (③) with enough pot still rum and years of aging to make it richer and more complex than, say, the Bacardi 8-Year. In addition to being a delight on it’s own, it is perfect for many cocktails. It is a good rum to expand your palate.

Rhum Barbencourt Réserve Sépciale (5 star/8-Year)

A readily-available cane coffey still aged rum made from fresh cane juice. This is a good introduction to this style of spirit. In a pinch, it can be used as a subistiute for an AOC rhum agricole or cachaça.