From the Caribbean’s sun-kissed shores to the bustling bars of Havana, white rum has shaped many a cocktail and many a memory.
White rum is somewhat deceptive. How can any spirit that is crystal clear have such depth and flavour? The best white rum brands harbour a secret; it’s all thanks to charcoal-filtering.
Clean and crisp, yet with incredible depth, you can sip white rum neat. It’s also the spirit of choice for many classic cocktails, from the Mojito or Daiquiri all the way to the Pina Colada.
- Best White Rums
- 1. Mount Gay Silver Rum
- 2. J Wray & Nephew White Overproof
- 3. Havana Club Añejo 3 Year Old
- 4. El Dorado 3 Year Old White Rum
- 5. Plantation 3 Stars White Rum
- 6. Doorly’s 3 Year Old Rum
- 7. Ron Santiago De Cuba Carta Blanca
- 8. Ron Pampero Blanco White Rum
- 9. Diplomático Planas White Rum
- 10. Bacardí Carta Blanca Rum
- 11. Cockspur Platinum White Rum
- 12. Brugal Blanco Supremo White Rum
- Andrew’s Top Pick
- White Rum Cocktail Ideas
- Conclusion
- White Rum Q&A
- Further Reading
Best White Rums
Where tropical flavours meet spice and wood, the best white rum brands are perfect for sipping or elevating cocktails to higher heights. Here are 12 to try.
1. Mount Gay Silver Rum
Overview
- Distiller: Mount Gay
- ABV: 43% (86 Proof)
- Country: Barbados
- Colour: Clear
Review
Mount Gay Silver Rum, hailing from Barbados, epitomises centuries of distillation expertise. This crystal-clear spirit offers a delicate balance of sweetness and spice, Mount Gay rums are ideal for sipping and cocktails.
On The Nose
Citrus, sugarcane, toffee and vanilla aromas.
On The Palate
A pleasing citrus and sweet sugar cane combo that reveals toffee and vanilla mid-palate. I like the finish as it’s clean yet nicely spiced and slightly bittersweet.
Best Served
I recommend Mount Gay Silver Rum as a decent rum for a super-fresh Mojito.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
2. J Wray & Nephew White Overproof
Overview
- Distiller: J Wray & Nephew
- ABV: 63% (126 Proof)
- Country: Jamaica
- Colour: Clear
Review
J Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum stands as Jamaica’s iconic rum spirit. Revered for its robust potency and rich heritage, it’s a staple in local households and a testament to Caribbean craftsmanship.
On The Nose
Sweet molasses, pineapple, banana, and orange.
On The Palate
Sweet molasses and a slight nutty caramel opening before tropical fruits such as pineapple and banana lead to a harsh rum kick on the feisty spiced finish.
Best Served
This is a white rum that packs a punch due to its high ABV, so not really a sipper. Best enjoyed in a rum and coke with a kick.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
3. Havana Club Añejo 3 Year Old
Overview
- Distiller: Havana Club
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Country: Cuba
- Colour: Clear/Straw
Review
Havana Club Añejo 3-Year-Old is a molasses-based white rum aged in American oak casks that previously held bourbon. The rum inherits woody/caramel notes from the barrels.
On The Nose
This rum is sweet, fruity, and slightly caramel-like.
On The Palate
This rum opens with tropical fruit, black pepper, caramel and a slight ginger twang. The finish is slightly spicy and gently woody.
Best Served
Enjoy Havana Club Añejo 3 Year Old in a classic Mojito with lots of fresh mint.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
4. El Dorado 3 Year Old White Rum
Overview
- Distiller: El Dorado
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Country: Guyana
- Colour: Clear
Review
El Dorado 3 Year Old White Rum is a molasses-based rum aged in small ex-bourbon American oak casks for three years. It is then charcoal-filtered to remove impurities but lock in the inherited flavours.
On The Nose
Butterscotch, sweet citrus aromas of pineapple.
On The Palate
The dark sweetness of burnt sugar blended with coconut and juicy pineapple. Soon, it becomes more creamy and chocolate-like—nice long finish.
Best Served
This El Dorado rum is best in a Daiquiri, of course! or keep it simple with a splash of soda.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
5. Plantation 3 Stars White Rum
Overview
- Distiller: Plantation
- ABV: 41.2% (82.4 Proof)
- Country: Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad
- Colour: Clear
Review
Plantation 3 Stars is a blend of molasses-based rums from three primary terroirs: Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad, distilled using a combination of twin column, pot still, and copper pot still.
On The Nose
Dark brown sugar, coffee, honey and vanilla.
On The Palate
Sweet to start with smooth notes of caramel and slightly bitter dark chocolate mid-palate. Pepper, spice and somewhat fudge-like finish.
Best Served
Slowly sip Plantation 3 Stars White Rum neat or enjoy it in a tropical Pina Colada.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
6. Doorly’s 3 Year Old Rum
Overview
- Distiller: Foursquare Distillery
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Country: Caribbean – Barbados
- Colour: Clear
Review
Doorly’s 3 Year Old White Rum is aged in oak barrels and filtered to remove any inherited colouring, delivering creamy, woody, fruity and slightly spiced rum notes.
On The Nose
Clean and fruity with notes of lush pineapple.
On The Palate
It is oh-so-smooth opening reveals contrasting sweet coconut and zesty pineapple. Caramel and woody tones mid-palate lead to a crisp but peppery finish.
Best Served
Enjoy Doorly’s 3 Year Old Rum with lime juice, or try it in a rum punch.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
7. Ron Santiago De Cuba Carta Blanca
Overview
- Distiller: Ron Santiago de Cuba
- ABV: 38% (76 Proof)
- Country: Cuba
- Colour: Clear/straw
Review
Santiago De Cuba Carta Blanca is a rum made from fermented molasses, then column distilled. It’s then aged in oak casks for three years, and then charcoal-filtered.
On The Nopse
Tropical fruits, herbs, spices.
On The Palate
Clean to start with molasses sweetness. Mid-palate reveals cinnamon and nutmeg. The finish is warming with slightly sweet notes of oak, toffee and tobacco.
Best Served
Try this white rum as a Cuba Libre, or sip neat.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
8. Ron Pampero Blanco White Rum
Overview
- Distiller: Pampero
- ABV: 37.5% (75 Proof)
- Country: Venezuela
- Colour: Clear
Review
Ron Pampero Blanco is a white rum made from fermented molasses and distilled in traditional copper-pot stills, then aged in American oak casks previously used for bourbon.
On the Nose
Fresh citrus with a hint of coconut
On The Palate
A crisp citrus opening soon reveals coconut, white grape and touches of orange peel. The finish is smooth and slightly zesty, with a subtle hit of black cracked pepper.
Best Served
Aside from enjoying it neat, I recommend you try Ron Pampero Blanco in a lip-smacking Rum Sour.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
9. Diplomático Planas White Rum
Overview
- Distiller: Diplomático
- ABV: 47% (94 Proof)
- Country: Venezuela
- Colour: Clear
Review
Diplomático Planas white rum is created from fermented molasses using a combination of pot still, column and batch kettle rums. The spirit is then aged up to 6 years and then charcoal-filtered.
On The Nose
Fresh with notes of vanilla, coffee and coconut.
On The Palate
Fruity notes of apricot, pineapple and lemon become sweeter mid-palate with caramel and coffee. The finish is delicate yet with a hint of warm spice.
Best Served
For me, this Diplomático rum is the definitive white rum for a Mojito.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
10. Bacardí Carta Blanca Rum
Overview
- Distiller: Bacardí
- ABV: 37.5% (75 Proof)
- Country: Puerto Rico
- Colour: Clear
Review
A household name, Bacardí is the world’s favourite rum brand for a reason. It’s a classic molasses-based white rum that does not overpower but remains effortlessly present.
On The Nose
Aromas of fresh citrus with a touch of almond and spice.
On The Palate
It opens clean, with hints of pear, apple, and burnt sugar, soothed by caramel and vanilla mid-palate. The finish is crisp, with a touch of black pepper.
Best Served
The life of the party, I recommend this popular white rum in a Mojito or as a rum and coke.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
11. Cockspur Platinum White Rum
Overview
- Distiller: Cockspur
- ABV: 37.5% (75 Proof)
- Country: Barbados
- Colour: Clear
Review
Cockspur Platinum White Rum is matured in oak barrels before being charcoal filtered. The result is a white rum with incredible depth and body, considering it is a white rum. Bravo!
On The Nose
Fresh and sweet with notes of vanilla and cracked black pepper.
On The Palate
It opens with bitter-sweet notes of burnt brown sugar and citrus, switching to a more creamy persona of vanilla and toffee with a nice woody/peppery finish.
Best Served
This rum pairs well with pineapple or mango juice. Cocktail-wise, I would opt for a pina colada.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
12. Brugal Blanco Supremo White Rum
Overview
- Distiller: Brugal
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Country: Dominican Republic
- Colour: Clear
Review
On initial inspection, Brugal Blanco Supremo White Rum looks like many others. But looks can be deceptive, as this rum is aged in American oak casks and then 3x filtered for extra smoothness.
On The Nose
Citrus, vanilla, and burnt sugar aromas
On The Palate
A rum with a smooth opening of vanilla, coffee and cocoa. Contrasting cracked black pepper and citrus notes mid-palate leads to a clean finish.
Best Served
Due to its depth, enjoy this beauty neat or with a splash of soda to open it up a little more.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
Andrew’s Top Pick
Plantation 3 Stars White Rum
My top pick is Plantation 3 Stars White Rum because its sweet caramel and contrasting bitter chocolate flavours and spice are perfect for sipping and in cocktails.
White Rum Cocktail Ideas
Here are 10 heavenly white rum cocktail ideas for you to explore.
| No. | Cocktail | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mojito | White rum, Fresh lime juice, Sugar, Fresh mint leaves, Soda water |
| 2 | Daiquiri | White rum, Fresh lime juice, Simple syrup |
| 3 | Pina Colada | White rum, Coconut cream, Pineapple juice |
| 4 | Cuba Libre | White rum, Cola, Lime wedge |
| 5 | Rum Punch | White rum, Pineapple juice, Orange juice, Grenadine |
| 6 | Caipirissima | White rum, Lime wedges, Sugar |
| 7 | Coconut Mojito | White rum, Coconut water, Fresh lime juice, Mint leaves |
| 8 | Rum Sour | White rum, Lemon juice, Simple syrup, Egg white (optional) |
| 9 | Hemingway Daiquiri | White rum, Fresh lime juice, Fresh grapefruit juice, Maraschino liqueur |
| 10 | Bahama Mama | White rum, Coconut rum, Coffee liqueur, Pineapple juice, Lemon juice |
Conclusion
The best white rum brands have their unique strengths. Some are perfect for sipping due to their depth, while others make a fantastic base spirit for cocktails as their flavours can shine through the other ingredients.
Many white rums are barrel-aged for several years and then filtered through charcoal to remove the inherited colour (and other impurities).
This process maintains the many exciting tastes and aromas from the previous cask occupier, such as bourbon or sherry.
Also read: 8 Things To Mix With Rum, Besides Coke
White Rum Q&A
What Is White Rum Made From?
Like its darker rum cousins, white rum is made from molasses, the thick dark brown treacle-like liquid produced from refined sugarcane.
The fermented molasses gives all rums their distinctive sweet yet spicy flavour.
How Is White Rum Made?
White rum is made in the same way as other types of rum. Molasses are combined with yeast and water to ferment; then, the mixture is distilled to obtain a higher concentration of alcohol.
The distilled rum spirit is then placed into oak casks and aged for at least two years. Here, the white rum production process differs from that of dark rum as it is filtered before bottling.
Why Is White Rum Clear?
Whereas dark rum is bottled straight after ageing and ready for consumption, white rum goes through a rigorous filtering process (usually filtered through charcoal) that removes inherited colours but preserves the flavours.
Further Reading
Below are some additional articles from The Drinks Geek blog. We write articles on several fascinating areas of drinks, including different brands, drink types, cocktail recipes and more.
