The single-best rum in the world is currently made in Puerto Rico.
That was the final result of this year’s Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth, the sixth edition of the world’s most exclusive rum competition. Puerto Rico’s Don Q Reserva de la Familia Serralles took home the crown in a World Championship field that pitted the most expensive molasses-based rums and the most expensive rhums agricoles in a competition hosted at the Rosewood Le Guahanahi St Barth resort.
It was the sixth annual edition of the competition and festival, which kicked off with an opening party at the rooftop bar at Le Barthelemy Hotel and Spa and included a series of events around the island including Rosewood Le Guanahani and Les Ilets de la Plage. The event included rum parties, rum tastings, master classes, a sold-out rum dinner and final Rum on the Beach party on the sand both hosted at the Rosewood Le Guanahani.
“This year’s Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth was a fantastic success,” said Alexander Britell, editor and publisher of Caribbean Journal and co-founder of the Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth. “The impressive field was a reminder of the unbelievable diversity and quality of rums in the Caribbean.”
Martinique’s Rhum Neisson was the most heavily decorated brand, taking home Double Gold in three different categories. In separate competitions, Island Company Rum took home the title of Best Gold Rum and Flor de Cana was named Rum Brand of the Year.
This year also added a new category for the competition, Cane Rum, highlighting cane juice-based rums made outside of the French Caribbean. Taking home the Double Gold this year was Grenada’s Renegade Rum, with its Single Farm Origin- Dunfermline, whilst Yves Assier de Pompignan of Martinique’s Rhum A1710 was named Rum-Maker of the Year.
“The Caribbean rum world has never been more exciting, particularly in rhum agricole” said Guy Britton, managing editor of Caribbean Journal.
The full list of medalists are:
Rhum Blanc Guadeloupe
Rhum Karukera 50 - Double Gold
Reimonenq Coeur de Chauffe - Gold
Rhum St Barth 50 - Silver
Damoiseau 69 – Bronze
Rhum Blanc Martinique
Rhum A1710 La Perle - Double Gold
Neisson Dekolaj - Gold
Baie de Tresor - Silver
Rhum JM 50 - Bronze
Vieux Agricole
Rhum Neisson Vieux Bio Double Gold
Rhum Karukera L’insolite Gold
Longueteau Vieux Silver
Damoiseau Vieux Bronze
VSOP Agricole
Rhum Neisson VSOP Double Gold
Rhum Bielle 2015 Gold
Karukera Black Alligator Silver
Rhum Dillon VSOP Bronze
XO Agricole
Damoiseau XO Double Gold
Reimonenq 7 Ans Gold
Rhum Bielle 2016 Silver
Rhum JM XO Bronze
Hors d’age Agricole
Rhum Bielle 2011 - Double Gold
Reimonenq 9 ans Gold
Damoiseau 15 ans Silver
Rhum JM 2006 Bronze
Rhum Uber Agricole
Rhum Neisson Zwetol Double Gold
Rhum A1710 La Deliverande Gold
Rhum JM 2006 Silver
Rhum Bielle 2011 Bronze
Rhum Uber Molasses
Don Q Reserva de la Familia Serralles Double Gold
Mount Gay Single Estate Gold
Papa’s Pilar Ernest Silver
Flor de Cana 25 Bronze
Cane Rum
Renegade Single Farm Dunfermline Double Gold
Copalli Rum White Gold
Ron Pepon Agricola Silver
Renegade Swimming Pool Bronze
Premium Molasses Rum
La Marielita Double Gold
Old Road Rum Gold
Mount Gay XO Gold (tie)
John Watling Paradise Rum Silver
Worthy Park Single Estate Bronze
World Championship
Reserva de la Familia Serralles Double Gold
Neisson Zwetol Gold
Mount Gay Single Estate Silver
Papa’s Pilar Ernest Bronze
