The Top American Rums

Rougaroux is a creature of Louisiana Cajun folklore who is known for lurking in the shadows of the cane fields, appearing only at the full moon to exact punishment on the wicked. Its curse is said to last 101 days, hence the proof of his namesake white rum. It's made from family-grown sugarcane and molasses, with the intention of producing a clear rum that has the punch of moonshine that's "not your grandmother's clear rum." Update: Donner-Peltier Distillers, the Thibodaux-based distillery, announced that it will cease operations after Monday, August 27, 2018.

Louisiana Cajun country is a land steeped in folklore, and one of these legends surrounds the Rougaroux, a mysterious creature said to have been spotted in the cane fields only in a full moon, when he would punish the wicked. According to legend, leaving 13 pennies outside your door will protect the house from his advances. This rum is made with molasses and raw sugar from the Donner-Peltier fields in Thibodaux, then flavored with toasted pecans, locally-made cane syrup and Madagascar vanilla, with no other added flavors or colors. All assembled at the distillery, where yes, 13 pennies do indeed lay outside the door, just in case. Update: Donner-Peltier Distillers, the Thibodaux-based distillery, announced that it will cease operations after Monday, August 27, 2018.

Rougaroux is a nocturnal, wolf-like creature of old Louisiana Cajun folklore, known for lurking the sugarcane fields, only to appear in a full moon to "do justice to the wicked." This dark-style rum is named for his chosen cover of night, using blackstrap molasses and raw cane sugar grown in the Donner-Peltier family's fields in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It's aged in white oak with no added colors or artificial ingredients. Update: Donner-Peltier Distillers, the Thibodaux-based distillery, announced that it will cease operations after Monday, August 27, 2018.

Treaty Oak Distilling was founded by Daniel Barnes and originally based in Austin. To keep up with production, the distillery now resides on a 27-acre ranch in Dripping Springs. Their Treaty Oak Barrel Reserve Rum is distilled from fermented Texas molasses before being aged in new American white oak barrels for at least two years. Note: This rum has been discontinued.

Treaty Oak Rum is made from Texas molasses and Hill Country spring water. It is the flagship product of Treaty Oak Distilling, a distillery in Dripping Springs, named after a 500 year-old oak tree where a Texas border agreement was signed in the 1830s. Established in 2006, they were the third distillery to open in Texas after Prohibition was repealed. Note: This rum has been discontinued.

This rum is produced in Boston at the GrandTen Distilling which also produces gin, whiskey, and a variety of liqueurs. Their rum is made from blackstrap molasses and is distilled in copper pot stills. Wild New England yeast is used for the fermentation process. The rum is aged in charred, American oak for two years.

St. Petersburg Distillery sets out to create spirits that celebrate its home state of Florida with labels that reflect the vintage appeal of the Sunshine State. Old St. Pete uses small-batch, pot-still rum mixed with high quality spices. It's released at a slightly higher proof to hold its own in cocktails.

St. Petersburg Distillery was founded by the iafrate (lower case "i" on purpose) with the intention of creating quality products to represent the finer things the Sunshine State has to offer. This is the "palm" half of the Oak and Palm line, a rum made with real coconuts brought down to a lower-proof for use in cocktails.

St. Petersburg Distillery was founded by brothers Steve iafrate and Dominic iafrate, Jr. (lowercase "i" not a typo) to celebrate their pride of the Sunshine State. This is the "Oak" half of the Oak and Palm line from the distillery, a rum made with spices from the Middle East and added caramel coloring.

This rum is distilled from fermented grade A molasses, but on the second distillation, maple syrup is added. The maple syrup is also locally sourced (Cumberland, Wisconsin). Roaring Dan is named after Dan Seavey, a pirate in the Great Lakes who infamously stole a schooner named the Nellie Johnson back in 1908 which was loaded with lumber. He was able to board the ship and got the crew drunk before throwing them overboard. When finally caught, he claimed he won the ship in a poker game.