National Rum Day: The seven best rums from Aidy’s drinks cabinet

It’s not as if much excuse is needed to shake up a rum cocktail, but on August 16, there’s good a reason as any.

National Rum Day celebrates this ever-popular spirit, one that, over the centuries, has been at the centre of an incredibly rich cocktail culture. And whether it’s playing the starring role in one of those classic concoctions — a mojito, daiquiri, dark and stormy, or otherwise — or being sipped neat, rum should always have a place in your drinks cabinet.

Here’s the pick of the bunch, each paired by a theme or the signature serve that will work wonders in your glass.

Mount Gay Black Barrel

Best for: fans of big, bold flavours

Hailing from Barbados, the birthplace of rum, Mount Gay has been gracing glasses since 1703 and is the longest established rum producer on the planet. If you’re into that voluptuous mouthfeel and deep, dense flavours, Black Barrel is for you. Take a whiff once poured, as this double cask blend showcases its journey through the nose. Two rums were separately matured for three to seven years in American whiskey casks before being finished for a further six months in charred bourbon casks. The result? Big, bold and beautiful. Toasted gingerbread meets caramel chocolate toffee with a hint of lychee. It’s warm and wondrous, and the finish just keeps on giving.

£35.99, Click n Drink

Appleton 8 Year

Best for: mai tai cocktails

I remember the first time I sipped a mai tai and instantly fell in love with it. It’s an underrated serve and isn’t explored enough; I truly hope there’s a resurgence in popularity before long. When it comes to your rum of choice to pop in there, there is no better contender than Appleton Estate’s eight-year-old Reserve. This blend of pot and column-still rums has aged elegantly to create a smooth drink, packed full of honey, warm oak, molasses and orange peel. Delve in and see what all the fuss is about.

£30, Ocado

Flor de Cana Gran Reserva 12 Year Old

Best for: a rum Old Fashioned

You don’t often hear of a rum aged at the base of an active volcano, but here we are. The San Cristobal volcano isn’t the only beauty within this region: Flor de Cana have been producing from for over 130 years, becoming one of Nicaragua’s most prominent distilleries. Sugar-free, gluten-free, carbon neutral and Fair Trade-certified, the drink is rich in texture, which makes it the perfect choice for and OId Fashioned. Expect a full-bodied delight with plump red berries and meadow fruits, a chocolatey spice, toasted almonds, licorice and toffee apples.

£34.99, Virgin Wines

Havana Club Tributo 2021

Best for: a seriously special occasion

This is one of the rarest expressions of rum coming out of Cuba. Initially the liquid is sourced from an extremely limited batch of Tributo casks before being matured in white port casks from the Douro Valley. The first release came out in 2016 and each year the liquid seems to get better and better. This is an experience, from that moment opening the hand-crafted box to unsealing the bottle and taking a sip. What’s more, each bottle is numbered and personalised with the signature of Asbel Morales, the Maestro del Ron Cubano. Dark amber in colour, the liquid emits an irresistible raisin and red fruit profile alongside soothing dried fruits and floral undertones. Sweet caramel milk chocolate meets enticing spices that wrap around your tongue before a tobacco and coffee finish swing into play.

£538.04, Spirits 24

Jung & Wulff Guyana

Best for: sipping neat

This Guyanese wonder is a blend of molasses rums that have been aged for up to 15 years. I like to describe this particular release as a story unfolding over time. It starts with the first sip: a rich and almost creamy texture with sweet apricots and nectarines. From there it evolves as you discover bittersweet plums, toasted hazelnuts and almonds before a smoky espresso takes over, guiding you into a long sumptuous finish. There’s honestly so much going on here, so it’s ideal for drinking without any added distractions.

£38.75, The Whisky Exchange

ARLU Passion Fruit & Mango

Best for: mojitos

It turns out passion fruit, mango and rum are a match made in heaven, especially when it comes to one of the most famous serves on the planet. A kiss of natural sweetness from the mango alongside the bold, tangy twist of passion fruit creates the perfect balance, and you don’t need to fill your glass with excess sugar like in many other recipes. If you want to simplify even further, adding this wonder to some Franklin & Sons Pineapple & Almond Soda with a slice of lime is pretty life-changing too.

£22.99, The Rum Company 

Jaffa Cake Rum

Best for: the curious drinker

Finally, a curiosity for those in need of something new. Could you get any more British than this? If you’re a fan of the famous cake (or biscuit?) then you’re going to love this. Real Jaffa cakes are used in the creation of this drink, in addition to fresh orange and orange peel, cocoa powder and, of course, Caribbean rum. Which cocktails would it work in? Well, you could create just about anything, but a daiquiri would be top of my list.

£34.99, Real English

Aidy Smith is an award-winning drinks expert, writer, and presenter of The Three Drinkers TV Series on Amazon Prime. Follow him @Sypped