The Best Rums For Your Eggnog

Chairman's Reserve, born in 1999, is named for St. Lucia Distillers' then chairman Laurie Barnard, who created a blend made from both pot and continuous still rums. The rums are first matured for 9 months in new American oak, then aged separately in ex-bourbon casks hailing from Jim Beam and Buffalo Trace as well as ex-Tennessee whiskey casks from Jack Daniels. They are then blended together and given an additional 6 months to mingle in cask before bottling. There is no official age statement, though the youngest rums are at least 5 years old. Note: Formerly called Chairman's Reserve Finest Blended Rum.

Botran Rum is a single estate rum which uses two varieties of sugarcane which are harvested on the Pacific south coast of Guatemala. The first press of sugarcane (aka virgin sugar cane honey) is used for distillation rather than traditional molasses. Botran uses “dynamic aging” which is a variation of the solera process. For the No. 8, rums aged 5-8 years are blended that have matured in American whiskey and sherry casks. Notably, Botran has a Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO) and is certified as a Ron de Guatemala. Botran was relaunched in the US in August 2022 with updated packaging. ($19.99/700ml).

Cuban rum distillers or “maestros” have been drinking their own extra-aged rums for years, but this release marks the beginning of this style of rum to the general public. At its core is Cuban sugarcane turned into molasses or "mieles." The entire production process for this rum takes at least 14 years, with the youngest drops having aged a minimum of 7 years. This is achieved by aging individual barrels instead of using the more popular solera method. Note: This is not currently available in the U.S.

Goslings flagship rum is a blend of pot still and continuous still rums imported into Bermuda and aged in single-use bourbon barrels. The result is a rich and complex dark rum. Its name comes from the black wax that was used to seal reclaimed champagne bottles.

Appleton Estate, founded in 1749 is perhaps Jamaica's most venerable rum and comes from the oldest distillery in continuous operation in Jamaica. Appleton's Master Blender, Joy Spence, is the first woman to be appointed Master Blender in the world. Appleton Estate Reserve Blend is created from 20 select rums aged on average for 6 years.

Doorly's XO Rum is created by the R.L. Seale company at the Foursquare distillery It's aged in American oak ex-bourbon barrels before going through a second maturation in European oak former oloroso sherry casks.

While Guyana was once home to many distilleries making rums from local Demerara sugar, consolidation has brought all the country’s rum-making capacity under Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL). DDL’s house brand, El Dorado, spans more than a dozen expressions ranging from white “well” rum to high-end, twenty-five-year aged rums. El Dorado 12 is the entry level of their Luxury Cask Aged lineup, and is a blend of rums from three different stills, all aged for at least twelve years.

Launched in 2011, Brugal 1888 was the 1st new rum produced from the company after its acquisition by The Edrington Group. The spirit begins life aging up to eight years in ex-bourbon casks, before being finished for up to six more years in European oak ex-oloroso sherry casks. That commonly touted detail is by design, both to create a flavor profile a bit reminiscent of a whisky, while also directly appealing to consumers who enjoy one. Note: This is sold in other markets at 38% abv, but in the US it is 40% abv.

Santa Teresa’s flagship release is a blend of rums ranging from 4 to 35 years. The rum is further aged using the solera process, with four levels of oak barrels that had been traditionally reserved for Spanish sherry and brandy. The 1796 was first released in 1996 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the estate’s founding.

Plantation Barbados 5 Year Rum is a blend of pot still and column still Bajan rums that are aged in bourbon casks for 3-4 years in the Caribbean. The blend is then finished in French oak casks at Maison Ferrand’s Château de Bonbonnet in the heart of the Grande Champagne district for 1-2 years more. Note: Formerly called Plantation Grande Reserve 5 Year.