The World’s Best Rum According To The NY World Spirits Competition

Three rums made the New York World Spirits Competition (NYWSC) World’s Best Rum final round. The finalists, drawn from all over the world, underscore the global scope of the rum business. Sugar cane is one of the most widely grown crops in the world. Hence, it is unsurprising that over 100 produce rum. Below is a brief background and tasting notes on the World’s Best Overall Rum finalists.

Star & Key Rum, VSOP Single Cask Rum, 40% ABV, 750 ml.

Star and Key Rum, a premium single-estate rum produced on the historic Labourdonnais estate in Mauritius, was the NYWSC’s 2024 World’s Best Rum. Established in 1856, this eighth-generation family-owned estate spans 1,500 acres of sugarcane and fruit orchards. The island’s volcanic soil and subtropical climate are ideal for sugarcane cultivation.

The rum reflects Mauritius’s unique terroir. The distillation process utilizes fresh cane juice from the red and yellow cane varietals grown on the estate. The rum is distilled in a Coffey column still adjacent to the cane fields to ensure maximum freshness of the raw materials.

The name “Star & Key” is inspired by an old nickname for Mauritius, “The Star & Key of the Indian Ocean,” reflecting the island’s strategic location and natural beauty.

The VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) expression is a single-cask release aged exclusively for four years in French oak Cognac casks. The maturation process imparts a rich and nuanced complexity to the rum.

The rum is a rich amber color with golden highlights throughout. It’s sweet on the nose, featuring toffee, butterscotch, and nutmeg aromas, complemented by hints of vanilla, plums, and figs.

On the palate, it is viscous and smooth, with a distinctive mouth weight. It features dark toffee/burnt sugar, honeycomb, hazelnut, orange, and apricot flavors, with subtle green vegetal and herbal undertones reminiscent of the French Caribbean Agricole rums. The finish is long and sweet with lingering notes of cinnamon, dried orange zest, toasted oak spices, and chocolate.

Star & Key VSOP Single Cask Rum exemplifies the harmonious blend of traditional Mauritian rum-making techniques with the refined influence of French oak aging, resulting in a complex and enjoyable sipping experience.

The NYWSC Judging Panel described the wine as exhibiting:

Warm vanilla, caramel, and subtle spices followed by toffee, oak, and tropical fruit notes.

Palm Republic, Silver Rum, 40% ABV, 750 ml.

The Best White Rum was Palm Republic Rum, a premium rum brand co-founded by Eric Winter, the co-star of ABC’s The Rookie. The brand’s vision captures the essence of tropical ambiance and delivers a high-quality rum experience. Currently, the company offers silver and aged rums.

The Palm Republic Silver Rum blend is crafted from hand-selected Jamaica and the U.S. Virgin Islands rums. This blend combines the unique flavors of Caribbean and Latin American rum into a single, harmonious spirit.

The rum is crystal-clear. The nose features fresh aromas of tropical fruits, including banana and coconut, complemented by hints of vanilla and sweet sugarcane juice. Subtle spice notes of nutmeg and clove add complexity. The palate has a smooth, creamy, and oily texture with a distinctive mouth weight. It features flavors of sweet sugarcane juice, lime, a touch of pineapple, and some white pepper. The finish is clean and refreshing, with lingering notes of citrus and subtle spice, making it suitable for sipping neat or mixing in a range of cocktails.

Palm Republic Silver Rum is exceptionally versatile. It is an excellent base for classic cocktails like daiquiris, mojitos, and rum punches while also being smooth enough to enjoy straight up.

The NYWSC Judging Panel described the rum as:

Crisp and clean, featuring citrus and tropical fruit notes and a smooth, refreshing finish.

Pampero, Aniversario Rum, 40% ABV, 750 ml.

Pampero is a distinguished Venezuelan rum brand established in 1938 by Alejandro Hernández and Luis Toro. The NYWSC selected it the Best Dark/Gold Rum. Pampero’s innovative approach to rum production, particularly its emphasis on extended aging, set new standards in Venezuela’s rum industry.

Pampero Aniversario was crafted in 1963 to commemorate the company’s 25th anniversary. Since then, the rum has become a feature of the company’s core range. This premium rum blends rums aged in ex-bourbon and ex-Sherry casks of American white oak. Tour Virtual Pampero presents a brief description of the process.

The color is a deep amber hue with golden highlights. The nose features aromas of toffee, vanilla, and dried fruits, complemented by rancio hints of leather, furniture wax, and oak.

The rum is flavorful, creamy, and smooth on the palate, with a distinctive mouth weight and a slightly oily texture. It features flavors of dark chocolate, caramel, a touch of cinnamon spice, and a hint of clove.

The finish is long and slightly sweet with lingering notes of vanilla, old leather, and a subtle persistent but subtle smokiness.

Pampero Aniversario is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, allowing its complex flavors to be fully appreciated. However, it also serves as an excellent base for premium rum cocktails, adding depth and character to mixed drinks.

The NYWSC Judging Panel described the rum as featuring flavors of:

Molasses, dark chocolate, and a hint of dried fruit

The New York World Spirits Competition showcased a trio of outstanding rum expressions, all winners in their respective categories, with Star & Key VSOP Single Cask Rum winning the World’s Best Rum award. There is plenty to explore and sample among these three rums if you are a rum lover, either straight or in cocktails. See the NYWSC website for a complete listing of all the medalists.