The end of the year is fast approaching and thus, I feel the need to tell you what my top rums of 2025 were. The rules are simple, I look at all the rums I’ve tried this year and pick my 10 favorites that I wrote a review for during 2025. Pretty simple rules, now on to the list!
With that being said let us kick off the list.
#1: Habitation Velier Savanna HERR 2025
How could it be anything but this? Back in 2018, I had this first iteration of this rum and it blew my mind. This year’s release was no exception and is a singular experience of flavor that everyone who drinks rum should try. It is not only my rum in the year, but also pretty firmly my favorite rum I have ever had. HERR can do no wrong in my book. Pungent, Juicy Fruit Gum, Heavy Raspberry, it is just tart and amazing in every way.
If there was an opposite example of the Savanna HERR, the Mhoba Shaldon is that. It is so Savory and soupy, like distilled beef bouillon. Really one of the best-unaged cane juice rums I have had and simply one of the best rum’s I have had period. It has a distinct rainwater note that rocketed it up to near the top of the rums of the year list for me.
3. Alambique Serrano Cartier 30 Batch 2
Batch #1 was on this list last year, but Batch 2 makes another appearance as this was the year of three perfect rums for me. Fruity with loads of apple and pear skin, Cheese Rind, Rain Water, Spices, a wallop of fruity and savory flavor meld into a perfect rum experience. These top three rums this year are things that need to be in your rum bar.
4. Savanna HERRline 8 Year 2019
Now here was something I did not expect to try this year, an aged Savanna HERR. I worried the cask would smother it, but that base HERR distillate beat the Cognac cask into submission. Tons of dark fruits, spices, and a big bunch of bubblegum showed Savanna HERR Can more than stand up to any cask you throw it in. More please, Savanna distillery.
Another bottle from Alambique? Yes, I make the rules here. This was a different and incredible bottling from them, viscous, fruity, with citrus and brine that makes for a kind of apple pie like drinking experience, which is impressive for this cane juice pot distilled unaged rum.
6. Alambique Serrano Vida Nativa Blend #1 Pico Canoa
Behold the first aged rum on our list and it is our friends at Alambique Serrano again! I had to put this incredible rum on my list. It is so distinct and can be summed up in three words, Watermelon Jolly Rancher. Now, it is like a farmy watermelon jolly rancher, but it is still impressive and makes one of the best jungle birds I have ever had too.
Now onto the first Jamaican rum on my list, which probably shocks a great many people considering the rums I love. This rum was a 100% cane juice, pot distilled, high ester rum from Worthy Park that great folks in Rochester New York politely bullied into being bottled. Its bright, pungent, briney, and has that classic over-ripe banana. A real standout this year in the rum world.
Foursquare regularly releases great rum and to me, this was their best release of aged rum they’ve done so far. Its got some real off-profile notes from all the other releases like Star Anise and Raspberry which accent the base dark chocolate and coconut flakes so well. Truly the best bottle of Foursquare I’ve tasted to date.
9. Velier Caroni 1996 23 Year “The Last”
Yes this is super unobtainable ghost distillery Caroni rum, but damn if it isn’t the best Caroni I’ve had and one of the best rums I tasted this year. It’s the best balance of tropical fruit and mechanics garage floor from them Ive had to date.
10. Renaissance Clouded Leopard 5 Year Bordeaux
Finally, to end our list of top rums for the year, we have a bottling of rum from Renaissance Distillery from Taiwan. It’s a cough syurp forward tropical fruit blast that really showed me how great the rums from Renaissance could be. I had to have one, even at the high prices. It’s a powerful rum that will make you sit and ponder.
Honorable Mention:
Papalin Jamaica High Ester Overproof 5 Year
I couldn’t write about the best rums of the year and not at least mention this amazing thing. It may have just missed my top 10 list but its a rum all rum fans should be aware of. Its got cement glue, heavy tropical fruits and spices too. Its amazing to sip on neat and is a killer in cocktails. Best of all it comes in at a very affordable price of around $60. Its one I will keep on my shelf as much as I can
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