Rum, a spirit with a rich history and cultural significance, is a popular choice for many drinkers around the world. Distilled from fermented sugarcane juice or molasses and aged in oak barrels, rum has strong ties to the Caribbean and maritime operations. Its diverse history has led to a wide range of styles, making it suitable for various uses, from mixing to sipping.

The premium rum market is currently experiencing a revival, with established brands putting in efforts to elevate their offerings. This has attracted both rum enthusiasts and casual drinkers with a variety of uniquely flavored and aged expressions.

Below is a ranking of popular rum brands based on extensive experience in the alcohol industry and a personal love of rum. The majority of these brands sit at the top of global sales lists, while others are highly renowned in the industry and among rum lovers worldwide.

1. Malibu

Malibu, although technically a flavored rum liqueur, has gained global recognition and is associated with the cocktail world. Invented by Tom Jago in the 1970s, the liqueur is made in the Caribbean, with its white rum base distilled and flavored in Barbados at the West Indies Rum Distillery. While it may not be considered a sipping rum, Malibu’s tropical branding and range of flavored versions have made it a popular choice for experimentation, as well as a key ingredient in various cocktails.

2. Bacardi

Bacardi, the second-best-selling rum globally, is an iconic brand from the world’s largest privately-owned spirits company. Its iconic white rum, created in 1862 by Spaniard Facundo Bacardí Massó in Cuba, was an attempt to refine the rough and unrefined rum readily available at the time. Despite Cuba’s political situation in the 20th century, Bacardi has maintained its status as a leading rum brand.