Rum, unlike many spirits, cannot be broken down into clearly defined categories. Like its origins, rum is a mix of ideas, tomfoolery and experience. The following list is our interpretation of some of the varieties available with some information we thought you would like to know thrown in. So you may learn something new or hopefully discover something you like. But first and foremost, enjoy!

* All mixers are complimentary with any bottle purchased

dark

~ abelha gold 3yo organic cachaca, brazil ~ £3.90

Uses locally grown ingredients to produce this smooth but spicy Cachaca.

~ abelha silver organic cachaca, brazil ~ £3.50

This fantastic spirit is produced ethically, which means you can drink as many Caipirinhas as you like safe in the knowledge you are playing your part. Kind of.

~ bem bom rum, brazil ~ £4.50

Made from fresh sugar cane grown on a family-owned farm in Brazil. Batch distilled in copper pot stills before maturing for one year in American oak casks. The taste is smooth and full of flavour, think ripe bananas and mellow oak.

~ cachaca velho barreiro, brazil ~ £3.20

If you are all about the look then this bottle could be for you. It does also make for an excellent Caipirinha.

~ leblon cachaca, brazil ~ £5.50

With a mix of old and new methods to produce a signal estate artisanal rum, this Cachaca is the business.

~ balla black rum, barbados ~ £3.90

Rich rounded sweetness with charred barrel character. Smoky roast coffee tones with warming ginger, nutmeg and other spices.

~ blackwell gold fine rum, jamaica ~ £3.50

Its amazing to think that the creator of this rum, Chris Blackwell, doesn’t focus on this great rum alone. A man with many talents, which are showcased here.

~ five Hundred cuts rum, scotland ~ £4.50

Heady aromas from Tonka Bean, orange peel, clove, ginger and all spice. All made from scratch at the BrewDog Distillery, north of Aberdeen.

~ gosling’s black seal, bermuda ~ £3.50 / £65 bottle*

Produced in Bermuda since 1806 this is a truly great rum. You are simply not having a Dark ‘n’ Stormy cocktail if it isn’t made with this.

~ havana club 7yo, cuba ~ £3.90

They say this is the rum that originally showed that you could not only drink rum as a cocktail but on its own. We are not sure about that but one thing is for sure, a bottle of this with some ice and lime and you are away.

~ lamb’s navy demerara, caribbean ~ £3.20

A rich history this Navy style rum can be a little hard-hitting for some but then again, that’s what this rum is all about.

~ lost spirits navy style rum, united states ~ £7.50

This Navy-style rum has been matured in sherry-seasoned, American oak casks, before being bottled at 57%.

~ myers planters rum, jamaica ~ £3.80

Another one of those rums that needs little introduction. With its stand alone bottle, flavour and texture this is a must if you are getting to know the history of rum.

~ old j dark spiced rum, caribbean ~ £3.50

A richly spiced rum from the Old J range. Tasting of a buttery vanilla, with a good kick of cinnamon, chewy raisin and cardamom.

~ ovd demerera, guyana ~ £3.20

From Guyana but with a cult following from Scotland and bottled in Glasgow this dark burnt drown sugar rum is popular with orange juice.

~ plantation original dark rum, trinidad ~ £3.50

Relaunched in 2015 with a new recipe gives us all an excuse to give this another try. Better or worse than its original recipe, we will let you decide.

~ pusser’s blue label dark rum, caribbean ~ £3.50

A rum famously handed out in ‘tots’ to sailors not so long ago, this Navy rum has a very famous past.

~ skipper demerara rum, guyana ~ £3.20

We love this rum and often use it in cocktails when a dark rum is required. That’s not to say cannot be drunk on its own, this 1930s rum hits all the tastebuds.

flavoured

~ amaro di angostura, trinidad and tobago ~ £4.50

Aromas of cinnamon, dark chocolate and the unmistakeable Angostura aromatic bitters flavour.

~ aluna coconut rum, guatemala ~ £3.50

It’s a bold move creating a coconut rum when Koko Kanu is such a popular standard but we absolutely love this and highly recommend it.

~ bombo caramel & coconut spiced rum, caribbean ~ £3.90

A rum expanding its range is always exciting and this is no different. Has the classic texture and flavour you remember but with something new.

~ clement creole shrubb orange, Martinique ~ £3.90

Aged Agricole Rhums and orange peel makes this my first choice if I’m going for a flavoured rum.

~ cut smoked rum, jamaica ~ £3.50

A rich smoky flavoured rum that enhances most cocktails. Those smoked oak chips will linger and linger and linger.

~ dead mans fingers coconut rum, Cornwall UK ~ £3.20

With the success of Dead Man’s Fingers spiced rum we bring its coconut counterpart, easy sipping.

~ dead mans fingers coffee rum, Cornwall UK ~ £3.20

One more for the road? Its hard not to be tempted with one final tipple with this coffee-infused rum.

~ dead mans fingers pineapple rum, cornwall UK ~ £3.20

Well-balanced pineapple flavours with hints of soft brown sugar and nutmeg cut with aniseed and lime.

~ kea plum rum liqueur, cornwall UK ~ £3.50

Kea plums are found only in a single creek valley near Falmouth in Cornwall. The white rum carries the natural sharpness of the plums balanced with warming orange and ginger, delivering deep, jammy flavours with a slight tart finish.

~ koko kanu, jamaica ~ £3.20

This could be classed as flavoured rum but we
prefer to call it a superior, white rum with coconut flavours. A great alternative to Malibu and coke or peach schnapps.

~ pirates grog black eight coffee liqueur, honduras ~ £4.50

Pirate’s Grog Black Eight is created by infusing premium Brazilian coffee with the incredibly smooth Pirate’s Grog 5yo Rum.

~ plantation pineapple stiggins fancy, jamaica ~ £4.50

A tribute to the Charles Dickins Character character this pineapple rum has been a long time in the making.

~ pull the pin passionfruit and pineapple silver rum, UK ~ £4.90

A second bottle from the Pull the Pin range delivers a light rum full of the fresh and fruity summer flavours of ripe passionfruit & pineapples.

~ redLeg caramelised pineapple rum, jamaica ~ £3.50

RedLeg Caramelised Pineapple has 100% natural pineapple, caramel flavour infused with Jamaican ginger and vanilla spices, creating a very accessible, mixable spirit.

~ ron aguare caramelo, canary iIslands ~ £3.50 / £65 bottle*

A mixture of rum and caramel toffee is an attractive alternative to the norm for those with a sweet tooth.

~ ron aguare coconut, canary islands ~ £3.50

Infused with natural coconut flavours this rum is screaming out to be made into a Pina Colada.

~ ron miel honey, spain ~ £3.50

A sweet soft rum that reminds you of the summer sun, excellent on its own.

~ stargazy rum liqueur, cornwall ~ £3.20

The Rum Shack’s new creation: a delicious liqueur with gorseflower and salted caramel flavours, enjoy neat over ice or in our favourite cocktail with apple juice and lime.

golden

~ appleton estate reserve blend, jamaica ~ £3.20

Rebranded in 2016 this dark looking rum is still an excellent full flavoured, complex rum.

~ appleton estate signature blend, jamaica ~ £3.20

A rum with an unusual looking bottle and an unusual history. A label designed by Campari and suitable for mixing or drinking on its own.

~ brugal extra viejo golden rum, dominican republic ~ £3.20

The fifth generation of this family are still producing this first-rate rum, highly regarded at home and abroad. A rich, aged rum with toasty aromas of light toffee and hints of molasses. Matches well with ginger beer and lime due to its smooth taste on the palate.

~ chairman’s reserve, st lucia ~ £3.20

Another family with many awards to its name, this rum might be familiar to you but why not give it another go: it never disappoints.

~ cockspur 5yr, barbados ~ £3.20 / £65 bottle*

A rum known the world over which must mean something. This distinctive looking bottle with a smooth and warm taste is popular wherever you go.

~ don q gold rum puerto, rico ~ £3.90

Found in its swanky looking bottle, this well rounded rum is aged in American oak barrels and is great in cocktails.

~ doorly’s gold 5yo, barbados ~ £3.90

A buttery, aged new addition to the rum market with a variety of tropical fruits to boot.

~ the duppy share caribbean rum, caribbean ~ £3.90

A buttery, aged new addition to the rum market with a variety of tropical fruits to boot.

~ el dorado 8yr, guyana ~ £3.90

Coming from the El Dorado range means this has to be tried. As brilliantly versatile as you would expect from this family, there is no better place to start the journey.

~ greensand ridge wealden rum, sussex uk ~ £4.90

From a carbon-neutral micro-distillery located in a Victorian coach house, comes this rum made sustainably using the surplus molasses from UK sugar production. Floral, honey and nutty.

~ havana club anejo especial, cuba ~ £3.20

This golden aged rum is the lesser famous brother and doesn’t get the recognition it probably deserves, well it does here – its fab.

~ neptune rum, barbados ~ £3.90

A blend of 8, 5 and 3yo golden rums distilled from pure sugar cane molasses and matured in American bourbon oak barrels. Named after the Roman god of the sea. Maple syrup, apricot and vanilla is followed by spicy pepper and nutmeg.

~ pirate’s grog 5 yr, honduras ~ £3.90

Combines rums from all over the Caribbean but mainly from Honduras. Its name might sound silly but this rum has a serious side.

~ ron de jeremy reserva rum, panama ~ £3.90

Yeah we don’t know who he is either… But ignore the name this rum is an awarding-winning, serious contender.

overproof

~ don q 151 overproof rum, puerto rico ~ £4.90

Vanilla, smoky oak and tobacco give this overproof rum enough balance to its strong taste.

~ gosling’s black seal overproof 151, bermuda ~ £4.50

Due to its alcohol content this isn’t recommended straight but is still recommended.

~ old j tiki fire rum, caribbean ~ £4.50

Strong and sweet, this blended rum is a big kick substitute for those who wish to dip their feet in the overproof range

~ pusser’s rum gunpowder proof, british virgin islands ~ £4.90

Fresh ginger and cinnamon and ginger layered with orange zest and a rich sweetness finally brings the popular Pussers range to the spiced side.

~ wray and nephew overproof jamaica ~ £4.50

At 63% ABV this overproof rum is hard-hitting to the palate, but it hasn’t stopped it becoming the biggest seller in Jamacia. Also matches with the fruit drink Ting, to make the classic cocktail, Wray and Ting.

~ tilambic 151 aged overproof rum mauritius ~ £5.90

In Mauritius this is known as ‘moonshine’. An explosion on the palate, but warm and with a sweet long finish, bursting with flavours. Very high-strength so not to be drunk neat.

~ stroh inlander rum austria 50cl ~ £4.50

Rich, fiery and spiced. Highly potent and super strength. The only globally recognised inland rum, it was created in 1832 by Sebastian Stroh in an attempt to replicate traditional rum as Austria-Hungary then had no access to tropical colonies and molasses. It is entirely produced within Austria and become a popular local specialty. The recipe has been passed down through generations and is produced in exactly the same way today.

premium

~ angostura 1919 aged rum, trinidad & tobago ~ £4.90

A real deluxe rum that needs to be enjoyed slowly. A warm finish to a taste of vanilla, cocoa and hints of caramel.

~ angostura 7yo dark rum, trinidad & tobago ~ £3.90

A silky, smooth golden rum worth trying neat … if only because it tastes like crème brûlée!

~ bayou select rum, louisiana ~ £3.90

A dry oaked rum aimed at discerning bourbon drinkers, this has a high benchmark indeed.

~ brugal 1888 rum, dominican republic ~ £5.50

Launched in 1988 to celebrate the centenary of this distiller. Aged for around 15 years first in ex-American whisky barrels with a small proportion also aged in first-fill ex-sherry butts.

~ bumbu xo, caribbean ~ £5.90

This small batch rum is produced from molasses in a distillery in over 120 years old. After 18 years in American white oak bourbon barrels, the rum is treated to a short finish in Andalusian white oak sherry barrels. Rich notes of roasted oak, coffee and vanilla, with toffee, orange peel and a touch of pepper spice.

~ charles merser double barrel rum, london uk ~ £4.90

Elegant, warming and bursting with notes of ripe tropical fruits, soft vanilla and a delicate woody spice. Perfect both for sipping neat and for enjoying mixed in any number of cocktails. Charles Merser & Co. is London’s first rum-blending house in over one hundred years – bringing the lost art of blending and marrying rum back to the city where it was first pioneered. No colours or sweeteners added.

~ diplomatico reserva exclusiva, venezuela ~£ 4.90 / £75 bottle*

This rich, sweet and fruity rum is our favourite. It was during a brain-storming evening drinking this, that the Rum Shack was created. Should only be drunk neat.

~ don papa rum, philippines ~ £4.50

The first time a bottle of this was dropped into the shack it never made it to the back bar shelf, which says a lot about the rum (and even more about us).

~ don q gran añejo rum, puerto rico ~ £6.50

Probably the sexist looking bottle from Puerto Rico, this is a rum that matches its look.

~ el dorado 12yo gp, guyana ~ £6.50

As one of our favourite distillers of rum, it should be difficult to choose one from El Dorado’s collection, however this 12 year aged rum stands out from the crowd. Recommend drunk neat.

~ el dorado special reserve 21yo, guyana ~ £11.50

As mentioned before this range of rums is an award-winning distillery and this is one of their best. Only to be drunk on its own for the full experience.

~ flor de caña 12yo centenario, nicaragua ~ £4.90

Peppery spices and dark caramel feature in this award-winning rum. Could easily sit in our gold section; an exemplary rum.

~ fair belize 5yo rum, france ~ £4.90

Fair Rum reveals many aromatics and a deep character. Created by local people, the FAIR range is a winning combination of fair trade ethics and quality.

~ grand ten distilling medford rum, boston usa ~ £6.50

Medford Rum is a true heirloom spirit made in the bygone ways of old New England. It has a beautiful dark red-brown colour and a rich, brown sugar and butterscotch nose.

~ la hechicera fine aged rum, columbia ~ £6.90

Using American white oak, casks with rums aged between 12 and 21 years, this golden rum has an excellent sharp crispness to it. Pronounced etch-ee-seh-rah, the meaning is Spanish for ‘enchantress’.

~ pampero aniversario, venezuela ~ £4.90

A delicious dark rum from Ron Pampero, this is made in continuous stills in Venezuela. It’s full, rich and very fruity.

~ pirates grog no 13 rum, honduras ~ £11.50

A single cask golden rum that might just be the pinnacle of their range, certainly worth finding out for sure.

~ pyrat xo reserve, guyana ~ £5.90

In a lovely bottle based on the design of those kept by the ship’s captains and pirates during the 19th century, this rum is aged for as long as 15 years in American oak and French barrels. Tastes like an incredible, old-fashioned rum.

~ rathlee rum cornwall, uk ~ £3.90

With their rum arriving in Cornwall in white cask barrels, you would think that these guys mean business. Latin American rum and Cornish spring water certainly help.

~ ron zacapa 23, guatemala ~ £7.50

Made using the concentrated first pressing sugar cane juice (virgin sugar cane honey) rather than molasses and aged and blended from a mix of rums between 6 and 23 years old. A work of art

~ rumbullion ableforth’s, uk ~ £3.90

A superior spiced rum. Cloves, orange peel, vanilla and cardamom all make an appearance in this delicious drink. Can be had on its own, mixed or just over ice and a look that distinguishes itself from the crowd.

spiced

~ bayou spiced rum louisiana ~ £3.50

We might be biased, we love all things Louisiana but this ‘American’ rum with Creole spices is all we’ve ever wanted.

~ black magic spiced rum, caribbean ~ £3.90

A mix of rums and – what we are told are – a blend of secret spices, a mysterious looking bottle and a black magic name. Scared yet?

~ bombo spiced rum, cornwall uk ~ £3.60

Coming from our neighbour in Newquay this caramel spiced rum is for those with a sweet tooth.

~ bumbu spiced caribbean ~ £4.90

A softly layered spiced rum we prefer to drink on its own but can go with a mixer. An interesting back story of pirates and merchants add a certain style to this rum.

~ cape, cornwall ~ £3.90

Cape Cornwall spice and blend their carefully selected white rum with pure Cornish water, and make it on a family farm in far west Penwith.

~ cargo cult banana spiced rum, australia ~ £4.50

This punchy spiced rum from Australia is a blend of Fijian and Papua New Guinean rums using a secret recipe that includes Australian bananas from North Queensland. A long, lingering banana finish with a background of sweet spice.

~ chairmans reserve spiced, st lucia ~ £3.50

We already have a rum from this distiller on this list, however this complex spiced rum with cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg flavours mean its beautiful neat or with a mixer – makes it worth having another.

~ cut spiced rum, caribbean ~ £3.50

The bottle reminds me of a 1950s American advertising campaign telling you how good for you this is. I’m not sure that’s true, but I could drink this ginger, coriander and lemon spiced rum all day.

~ dark matter spiced, scotland uk ~ £4.90

The Scottish may not be known for rum but they have got this one bang on with pepper, ginger and allspice giving you the kick you want.

~ dead mans fingers spiced rum, cornwall ~ £3.20 / £60 bottle*

Created by the Rum Shack team in 2015, a delicious small-batch spiced rum. Enjoy saffron cake and Pedro X ice-cream flavours with cinnamon, nutmeg and orange notes.

~ don q oak barrel spiced, puerto rico ~ £3.90

Cinnamon, vanilla, clove and nutmeg are all the classic spices you expect from a spiced rum and this one delivers in just the right order.

~ duppy share spiced rum, caribbean ~ £3.50

The blend of Jamaica and Barbados rum has been treated to the addition of pineapple, kola nut and Caribbean spices.

~ green island spiced gold rum, mauritius ~ £3.90

Given that Mauritius lies on the original spice route it is not surprising that Green Island produce a spiced rum. Based on molasses rum and distilled using a four column process and flavoured with herbs and spices.

~ jah 45 spiced rum, jamaica ~ £3.50

The nose leads with vanilla and has a sweetness at the forefront with cinnamon lending a spiced warming feel followed by a drying finish thanks to the pimento. 100% Jamaican Rum.

~ the kraken black spiced rum, caribbean ~ £3.50

It seems like this rum has been around forever but it was only introduced in 2010. Its unique look and rich spicy flavour quickly cornered the market for rum and cokes everywhere.

~ old j spiced rum, caribbean ~ £3.50

We have all heard the rumour about the origin of
this spiced rum and there is no getting away from
its connections to an old recipe. It certainly takes
you back.

~ pull the pin spiced rum, uk ~ £4.90

A range of spices is infused as well as butterscotch, making for a warming, sweet and spicy spirit then rested in oak, mellowing the spirit and adding some mature, woody notes.

~ rumjava signature rum, florida usa ~ £3.90

Infused with coffee and twice distilled, this rum from Florida does its best to showcase that Caribbean vibe with a twist.

~ sailor jerry spiced, caribbean ~ £3.50

A classic that is still relevant today. Created by the tattooist ‘sailor Jerry’ Collins, even if you are not familiar with the rum you will certainly know its look.

~ sweetdram smoked spiced rum, scotland ~ £3.90

A blend of Caribbean rums, spiced with grains of paradise and infused with chamomile, lime leaf, fennel, cardamom, lapsang souchong tea and warm-smoked figs. Try it in a daiquiri or topped
with ginger beer.

~ pusser’s spiced rum, guyana ~ £3.90

Fresh ginger and cinnamon and ginger layered with orange zest and a rich sweetness finally brings the popular Pussers range to the spiced side.

~ rebellion spiced rum, caribbean ~ £3.50

A superior spiced rum. Cloves, orange peel, vanilla and cardamom all make an appearance in this delicious drink. Can be had on its own, mixed or just over ice, with a look that distinguishes itself from the crowd.

~ redleg spiced rum, caribbean ~ £3.50

This spiced rum with a ginger aroma is named after a hermit crab native to the area. RedLeg is left to rest in old oak barrels and infused with Jamaican vanilla and ginger creating a very smooth-tasting rum with a hint of sweet spice.

~ ron de jeremy spiced rum, panama ~ £3.90

Its hard to compete with its brother but this spiced rum doesn’t try. Smooth and sweet, we’re sure there is a joke in here somewhere.

~ sweet potato spiced rum, uk ~ £4.90

Does sweet potato and spiced rum sound something for you? Fortunately these guys bring this lemon, treacle and sweet potato concoction your way.

vintage

~ bayou spiced rum louisiana ~ £3.50

We might be biased, we love all things Louisiana but this ‘American’ rum with Creole spices is all we’ve ever wanted.

~ black tot rum caribbean ~ £75 bottle* / £35.00 a shot

This dark chocolate, toffee, coffee and tobacco rum is a Navy rum like no other. The name is a reference to the rum ration days of the Navy.

~ diplomatico ambassador venezuela ~ £19.95 a shot

This is one of the most expensive rums on the market but from this family it shouldn’t put you off. Aged for a minimum of 12 years in ex bourbon casks and finished for a further 2 more, it’s a taste to match the price.

~ ron zacapa xo guatemala ~ £14.50

A gold award-winning rum to only be drunk on its own. These guys will probably say it’s a case of master blending, we just say its bloody amazing.

white

~ atlantico rum platino, dominican republic ~ £3.50

A handcrafted blend using fresh cane juice, molasses and aguardiente then aged for 3 years in Tempranillo wine barrels. Clean and incredibly smooth tasting.

~ appleton estate white classic, jamaica ~ £3.20

An award-winning mixing white rum …

~ brugal blanco supremo ,dominican republic ~ £3.20

The three times filtered white rum holds its own in the famed Brugal family.

~ chairman’s reserve white label, st lucia ~ £3.90 / £65 bottle*

Another award-winning family offer this excellent white rum that can be supped on its own or with a mixer.

~ doorly’s 3yo white rum, barbados ~ £3.50

One of the oldest trading houses this rum is 100% aged, unlike many of its competitors.

~ el dorado blanco 3yo, guyana ~ £3.90

An award-winning rum, very crisp and fresh, from the esteemed El Dorado stable that has been distilling rum for over 300 years.