The World’s Best Rum—According To Top Rum Experts

Every year, the world’s leading rum experts gather to taste through the creme de la creme of the rum world. This year, over 60 different rums from seven different categories were blind tasted, and one has emerged as the best in the class.

Drum roll, please.

Martinique’s Trois Rivières Triple Millésime 2006-2014-2016 (an extra-aged rum that blends three vintages, aged in ex-bourbon and ex-Cognac casks) was crowned World Champion at the seventh annual Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth this week, with its Triple Millesime winning double gold in the region’s top rum competition.

“Trois Rivieres’ Triple Millesime truly stood out as a remarkable expression of Caribbean rum-making,” said Alexander Britell, editor and publisher of Caribbean Journal and founder of the Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth.

What makes Trois Rivières’ rum so special? Cellarmaster Daniel Baudin cherry picked the best rum from three different vintages: 2006, 2014, and 2016. The 2016 vintage, aged in ex-bourbon barrels is fresh, while the 2014 is aged in both ex- bourbon and -Cognac barrels is aromatically complex. It’s all tied together with the award-winning 2006 vintage.

“This year was our best field yet, featuring an impressive assortment of premium, rare rum and rhum Agricole from top producers around the Caribbean,” Britell continued.

Joining Trois Rivières in the ‘World Championship’ category — which includes both molasses rum and rhum agricole, and features rare, ultra-premium expressions that represent the best efforts of each distillery — is J Bally Grande Cuvée du Siècle 100 Ans with the Gold award, Rhum JM Canopée from Martinique with silver, and Plantation Legacy 120 with bronze.

“Trois Rivieres’ Triple Millesime truly stood out as a remarkable expression of Caribbean rum-making”

In the Premium Molasses Rum category: Ron Eminente has been awarded Double Gold, Mount Gay Eclipse Navy Strength gold, Don Q XO silver, and Papa’s Pilar (a liquid nod to Ernest Hemingway) Dark Rum is bronze.

Considering the VSOP category: Trois Rivieres VSOP snagged another Double Gold, Rhum JM VSOP came in behind them with a gold, Rhum Bielle 4 ans with silver, and Rhum Saint James VSOP with bronze.

In the Hors d’age category — acknowledging the vintage and extra aged rum category — Rhum Bielle 2013 release was awarded Double Gold. From the same vintage with the Gold placement: Rhum JM 2013. Silver went to Rhum Bielle 2016.

Reimonenq 7 Ans — a complex, 7-year old rum from Guadalupe — won Double Gold in the XO (made from a blend of 8 to 15 year-old rums) category. Rhum JM XO, Rhum Bielle 2016, and Rhum Clement XO were awarded gold, silver, and bronze, respectively.

In the Rhum Agricole Blanc Guadalupe and Martinique categories —recognizing the grassy, sugarcane-based spirit—Marie Louise and Rhum Saint James TOMBOLO won Double Gold. Reimonenq Coeur de Chauffe and Rhum Clément Canne Bleue 2024 were awarded Gold. Trois Rivieres Cuvee de l’Ocean and Rhum Bielle 4 ans won silver, Baie de Tresor Blanc and Rhum Saint James VSOP bronze.

This year’s judges include Alexander Britell, publisher of Caribbean Journal; Guy Britton, managing editor of Caribbean Journal; Martinique-based rum expert Thierry Huyghes-Despointes; Peter Berntsen, COO of Empire Social Lounge in Miami; Myssi Davis, founder of Rum Travelers; Jose Antonio Hernandez-Solaun, president of the Miami branch of the International Wine and Food Association; rum expert Ivan Jivkov; Simons Chase, editor of Cuba Journal; world-renowned Chef Guy Ferdinand; and Washington, DC-based tiki and rum expert Ted Houseknecht.

The judging is part of a weeklong festival in St. Barths celebrating rum. The festival includes rum parties on the beach, along with master classes, pairing dinners, and tasting events.

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