It's not easy to predict someone's favourite alcohol, but in India, it's safe to say that at least 2 out of 5 people you drink with, would order a peg of Old Monk. Such is the popularity of the celebratory sweet drink. Whether it's dark, white or spiced, there probably exists a type you'd happily sip on given a chance.
Having said that, this preference of alcohol seems to be largely centred around a few top rum brands, including the iconic names like Old Monk. But don't you think this delightfully yummy spirit, deserves to be explored a tad more deeply? Okay, even if you don't agree, let us at least brief you on your best rum options when you're out to buy a bottle.
To make your search for the best rum in India, slightly more convenient, we've listed the 16 best rum brands available.
1. Ron Zacapa
Price INR 7,250 for 750 ml.
Alcohol Content 40% Onwards
Image Courtesy: The London Economic
- One of the most premium rum brands in India, the spirits by Ron Zacapa are produced in Guatemala and carry a distinct flavour of molasses and vanilla.
- There are 4 best-selling variants of Ron Zacapa, namely, Zacapa 23, Zacapa XO, Zacapa Edicion Negra and Zacapa Royal, the first being the most sought-after type.
- Ron Zacapa 23 is immensely smooth, and often features under the most pleasurable dark rums to sip neat on a night of indulgence.
2. Clement
Price INR 4,857 for 700 ml.
Alcohol Content 40% Onwards
Image Courtesy: DFNI
- Now mind you, this one is a rhum, and not a rum, and yes, there's a stark difference between the two. The latter mostly comprises of industrial rum that's distilled from molasses, while Rhum Agricole is the closest you will get to pure, natural rum.
- Clement Rhum constitutes of brilliant alchemy, and the alcohol is crafted and matured carefully. VSOP Rhum by Clement is brimming with a subtle, mellow character and comes in a startling mahogany hue.
- Clement is indisputably one of those top shelf rum brands every enthusiast needs to try at least once.
3. El Dorado
Price INR 4,500 (approx.) for 750 ml.
Alcohol Content 40%
Image Courtesy: Wikipedia
- The rums by El Dorado are actually remarkable blends of selected vintage rums.
- The aged rums are created on the banks of the Demerara River in Guyana, and have been awarded by numerous titles, all of which indicate one thing, El Dorado is one of the best rum brands in India, along with the globe.
- Aged in former Bourbon casks, El Dorado rums are uniquely complex and distinctly flavourful.
4. Angostura
Price INR 3,200 (Approx.) for 700 ml.
Alcohol Content 40% Onwards
Image Courtesy: Liquor Barons
- One of the leading rum brands straight from the Caribbean, Angostura gained rapid worldwide fame owing to its high-quality bitters.
- Angostura sells both white and dark rum variants, although it's recognised primarily for its superior aged dark rums, each of which is a blend of cherry-picked mature rums.
- With a rich, warm flavour of vanilla and an incredibly smooth finish, Angostura's creamy, gentle rums have snagged an assured place on every list of the best rum brands in India.
5. Mount Gay
Price INR 3,000 for 700 ml.
Alcohol Content 40%
Image Courtesy: Foodism
- Made from molasses and water filtered by natural coral, Mount Gay rums are recognised by every rum enthusiast across the world.
- The most famous variant arguably is Mount Gay Barbados Eclipse, known for its fruity and well-rounded palate, boasting of enticing notes of banana, vanilla and toasty oak.
- A sip of this excellent rum carries subtle hints of spices, that make for a mouthful of delicate and delightful dark spirit.
6. Malibu
Price INR 2,980 for 750 ml.
Alcohol By Volume 21%
Image Courtesy: Wine Liquor Store
- One of the best-selling rum brands in India and the world at large, Malibu's Coconut flavoured liqueur is absolutely mouthwatering.
- It's like a vacation in a bottle, one that's full of tropical fresh coconut flavours with notes of vanilla custard. More than anything, the stuff goes down remarkably easily, considering its sweet fruity taste and charming coconut aroma.
- One of the best rum brands we've ever tried, Malibu rum can be downed just by itself, or by throwing in some pineapple juice or flavour liquor.
7. Appleton Estate
Price INR 1,800 (Approx.) for 750 ml.
Alcohol Content 43%
Image Courtesy: Oak & Barrel
- The Signature Blend by Appleton Estate is touted to be amongst the best rums in India, and one sip of it's fruity, tasty flavours later, it becomes starkly clear why.
- Imagine some alcoholic salted caramel, and you've got a pretty good idea of how Appleton Estate's Signature Blend rum tastes.
- It's a pot-distilled Jamaican rum, with a super smooth and bold profile of flavours, and the palate has lovely notes of oak, nutmeg and exotic spices.
8. Goslings
Price INR 1,600 (Approx.) for 750 ml.
Alcohol Content 40% to 75.5%
Image Courtesy: Matador Network
- Of all the sublime variants produced by Goslings, it's Black Seal rum is perhaps the most famous, considering there's a popular cocktail (Dark "n" Stormy) dedicated to it!
- It's a full-flavoured dark rum, aged in re-charred American oak barrels, and carries a fine balance of thick sweet spices and stewed fruits.
- It comes with a delightfully warm and spicy finish, and the taste lingers long after you've swallowed your gulp of this fabulous rum.
9. Bacardi
Price INR 800 - INR 1,500 for 750 ml.
Alcohol By Volume 35% Onwards
Image Courtesy: Mikkel Jul Hvilshoj
- Bacardi is indisputably one of the best rum brands in India, one that offers an assortment of exciting flavours to its eager customers.
- In addition to the terrific fruity flavours such as Apple, Strawberry, Limon, Grapefruit, Orange and Raspberry, Bacardi also has a white, black and gold rum up for grabs.
- Their unique blends come with remarkable taste and fragrant aromas, and while the gold variant is certainly one of our favourites, we'd suggest you try all before settling on yours!
10. Captain Morgan
Price INR 1,472 for 750 ml.
Alcohol Content 35%
Image Courtesy: Reader's Digest
- Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum is a true classic in the category of the best rum brands in India.
- One of the most top rated rums for mixing in splendid cocktails, this one boasts of rich flavours of vanilla, brown sugar and aromatic spices, topped off with a hint of oak and a beautifully balanced, smooth finish.
- It's an affordable rum brand, that also tastes great, and blends wonderfully well into fancy drinks.
11. Havana Club
Price INR 1,100 for 750 ml.
Alcohol Content 40%
Image Courtesy: Ticket Arena
- The most popular Havana Club rum is the Anejo 3-year-old, that's aged for three years in bourbon casks, and comes with a clean round palate comprising fresh notes of citrus, oak, vanilla, some spice and lemon.
- One of the best budget-friendly rum brands in India, this one doesn't compromise on the taste or quality one bit.
- It's one of the most distinguished light Cuban rums, perfect for pouring into any rum cocktail, throwing in with some mixer, or just a few blocks of ice, all in equal measure.
12. Hercules
Price INR 672 for 750 ml.
Alcohol Content 42.8%
Image Courtesy: Hercules Deluxe
- Easy on the wallet as well as your tongue, Hercules is one of the best selling rum brands in India, especially in the Defence segment of the country.
- The brand produces both white and dark variants, but it's the Deluxe 3X dark rum that's consumed most commonly.
- It's a relatively smooth dark rum with a rich, complex flavour profile, making this one of the best rated budget-friendly rums available in the market.
13. Old Port
Price INR 650 (Approx.) for 750 ml.
Alcohol Content 40% Onwards
Image Courtesy: magicpin
- One of the best sweet rum brands in India that also falls within the confines of a reasonable budget, Amrut's Old Port Deluxe Rum is cherished for its mouthwatering balance of sweet, spicy, nutty and ripe fruit flavours.
- The rum comes in a silky copper shade, and your nose is greeted by the aroma of vanilla, pistachio and decadent spices.
- A sip of this rum leads to a flood of honey-sweet and butterscotch flavours, with refreshing notes of orange zest.
14. Old Monk
Price INR 466 for 750 ml.
Alcohol Content 42.8%
Image Courtesy: Masala Wala
- Now, this iconic rum brand doesn't exactly need an introduction, does it? Extremely budget-friendly yet effective, Old Monk has been the most adored dark rum in India since 1954.
- Known for its soft taste palate, comprising vanilla, cola, spice, roasted coffee beans, and caramel flavours, Old Monk is cheap, accessible, and absolutely yummy by itself, with some water, or a soft drink mixer, all in equal measure.
15. McDowell's No. 1
Price INR 343 for 750 ml.
Alcohol Content 42.8%
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
- Not just one of the top selling rum brands in India, but McDowell's Celebration rum has been amongst the best selling rum brands in the world for a while now.
- It has a distinct taste of sharp vanilla and caramelised sugar, with subtle flavours of tea leaves, citrus zest and dry tobacco rounding off the palate.
- Throw it into a glass with some soft drink mixer, or ginger beer if you're in the mood for experimentation.
16. Contessa
Price INR 300 (Approx.) for 750 ml.
Alcohol Content 42.8%
Image Courtesy: The Whisky Exchange
- This one offers a decently smooth and bold taste, which at this price makes this rum a total steal.
- The flavours are warm and mellow, and Contessa rum boasts of a pronounced woody taste.
- This cheap rum brand in India, has won several awards for its quality, including a Bronze at the International Wine & Spirit
- Competition 2007 held in the UK.
Time flies when you're having rum!
Freqently Asked Questions:
Q. Which rum is best in India?
A. Contessa is the best rum in India.
Q. Which is the highest selling rum in India?
A. Celebration Rum is the largest selling rum of India and one of the most popular brand under umbrella of United Spirits Limited .
Q. Which is better rum or Whisky?
A. When it comes to popularity, whisky is by far the more popular drink since it does phenomenally better in sales figures as compared to rum, both in terms of revenue and volume.
