Rum brands from throughout the world are being stocked up by both retail and wholesale purchasers in expectation of a strong peak hour. Here, we present the award-winning rum brands that our judges expect to jump off their shelves and cabinets this year. These bottles were evaluated not only based on their quality, value for money, packaging but also keeping in mind how you make your purchase decisions.⠀⠀

Below is the list of the best 16 rum brands from Venezuela. 

1. Ron Añejo Calazan

93 points

Ron Añejo Calazan is produced by Alcoholes y Añejos Monagas,C.A. Their name pays homage to the most ardent man from Eastern Venezuela, Rodolfo Esteban Gil, best known as Calazan, a rum distilling pioneer. Due to its light and semi-heavy base blends, the rum has a smooth fragrance of dried fruits, honey, and plums after being aged in American white oak barrels for 2 to 4 years.

Ron Añejo Calazan swept off a gold medal with an impressive score of 93 points.

Tasting notes: Intense flavours of dry fruits, vanilla, caramel, coffee, and coconut.

2. Ron Añejo Calazan Reserva

93 points

Venezuela's Ron Anejo Calazan Reserva is marked by its delicate aroma, notes of red fruits and plum, maximum freshness, and exquisite vanilla fragrance, which is derived from a blend of more than ten-year-old Rums. With a distinct taste and good oak tones, Ron Añejo Calazan Reserva swept off a gold medal with 93 points.

Tasting notes: Rich rum showing flavours of vanilla, caramel, and figs, complemented by dry and oaky notes. Tastes like vanilla ice cream drizzled with caramel sauce.

3. Santa Teresa 1796

91 points

The first batch of Ron Santa Teresa 1796 was made in 1996 to honour the 200th anniversary of Hacienda Santa Teresa, the estate that holds the rum's name. This rum from Venezuela is crafted from sugarcane molasses that have already been fermented and distilled with care. After that, the rum was aged in traditional Soleras barrels made of American and French oak. Traditionally used to age Sherrie in Spain. Santa Teresa 1796 won the gold medal for the second year in a row, this time with a score of 91 points.

Tasting notes: A smooth rum with vibrant flavours of tropical fruits, vanilla, caramelized orange, and cinnamon spice complemented by toasty oak notes.

4. Ron Añejo Calazan Special

91 points

One more gold medalist — Ron Añejo Calazan Special by Ron Calazan. Aged for 4 to 6 years in American White Oak barrels, this rum has sweet and woody aromas derived from the blends of semi-heavy and heavy bases. The rum impressed our judges at the competition and scored 89 points overall.

Tasting notes: A smooth rum with vibrant flavours of tropical fruits, vanilla, caramelized orange, and cinnamon spice complemented by toasty oak notes.

5. Ron Roble Viejo Ultra Añejo

81 points

With aromas of Molasses, red fruits, aromas of citrus peel, cocoa powder, coffee, toffee and fresh almonds, Ron Roble Viejo Ultra Añejo by Rones del Caribe CA picked up a silver medal with 89 points. A single vintage limited edition rum aged in the manual technique for 12 years. Each version is made entirely of casks from the same vintage as the Bourbon and Pedro Ximenez that have previously aged in them, hand-picked by the "Maestro Ronero."

Tasting notes: Rich, deep in flavour, and amazing mouthfeel. Dried fruits, burnt brown sugar, and molasses. Rounded, balanced, and amazing sipping rum as well as being great with a ginger beer or in a cocktail.

6. Ron Añejo Reserva Especial Barrica 120

81 points

Award winning Ron Añejo Reserva Especial Barrica 120 is produced by Central de Licores Unidos de Venezuela CA. It is made up of blends that have been aged in American oak barrels for up to 120 months, hence the name. Carlos Luis Pérez, the rum maker, carefully selects each of these blends based on its organoleptic properties.

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The rum swept off a silver medal with a total score of 89 points. Below what our judges said about this rum.

Tasting notes: Rich nose with notes of sherry, caramel, faint nuttiness, and stone fruits. On the palate, there is caramel, butterscotch, light wood, raisin with a dark chocolate aftertaste. Great balance. Great in a cocktail or neat.

7. Caballo Viejo Ron Ultra Añejo

89 points

The winning streak continues for Central de Licores Unidos de Venezuela, C.A. as it's one more rum Caballo Viejo Ron Ultra Añejo won a silver medal with 89 points. The Caballo Viejo Ron Ultra Aejo brand was established in 1985, and it was only available in the eastern portion of the country until 2005. The new ageing initiative began in 2006, with the first batches of rum being aged, which are the foundation of the superb rum that is now available. The panelists at the competition defined this rum as below:

Tasting notes: Delicate notes of spices like nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon with flavours of honeycomb, chocolate, cassia bark, coconut, and passion fruit with hints of cooked apple. Pleasant rum.

8. Ron Añejo Reserva Barrica 80

85 points

Scoring 85 points and a silver medal, Ron Añejo Reserva Barrica 80 is a 40 percent alcoholic reserve rum developed and produced by Lander & Vera for Central de Licores Unidos de Venezuela CA (Celiveca). It's delicious straight up or on the rocks. It's also wonderful served with a cold treat like vanilla ice cream. Further is the tasting notes given by our judges.

Tasting notes: Banana and caramel on the nose. Oak, banana and caramel on the mouthfeel with hints of spice and vanilla. Very smooth and balanced. Pleasant with tropical fruit at the end with a finish of mango.

9. Ron Roble Viejo Extra Añejo

81 points

Produced by Rones del Caribe CA, Ron Roble Viejo Extra Añejo is blended upto 8 to 12 years that is round, balanced and surprisingly fresh. On the nose, it gives aromas of brown sugar and molasses aromas, burnt sugar aromas, cinnamon, vanilla, almonds, and smoked woods. The award-winning rum is a medium-dry, highly smooth Rum that's great on its own or in a cocktail.

This medium amber colour rum swept off a silver medal with a total score of 83 points. Our judges defined the rum on basis of quality, value, and packaging below:

Tasting notes: A bit of a charred oak felling at first which moves into stone fruit notes and caramel. It ends with warming flavours of leather and tobacco and also a bit of port wine. Has a lingering mouthfeel.

10. Ron Añejo Premium Barrica 40

83 points

Here’s one more by Central de Licores Unidos de Venezuela, C.A. — Ron Añejo Premium Barrica 40 won a silver medal with an impressive score of 83 points.

Ron Añejo Premium Barrica 40 is a unique product created by combining the best young and ancient rums, with the rum with the longest maturing time in oak barrels (40 months) allowing for beautiful aromas of nuts and bright golden amber colour. It's also good with chocolate, especially spiced or marzipan-filled chocolates, towards the conclusion of a delicious dinner.

Tasting notes: Strong nose of caramel and toasted vanilla. Banana, caramel, and woody flavours on the palate from the ageing. Rich toffee notes, with balanced sweetness and a hint of spice. Short, dry, and sweet finish.

11. Ron Añejo Carúpano 6 Reserva Especial

81 points

Destilería Carúpano won three consecutive contests, bringing home a silver medal for Ron Aejo Carpano 6 Reserva Especial with an excellent score of 81 points. The award-winning rum is 80 proof rum matured in closed casks of American white oak barrels with no loss of repositioning and mixed with stocks aged up to 6 years. The rum has a beautiful gold tint to it, is soft in the glass, and has thin legs that fall fast. Sugar cane, pineapple, and citrus fruit tones are uplifting. The first taste is sweet, with a powerful alcohol flavour, but pleasantly. The exit is quick, prompting a second drink. 

Tasting notes: Delicate nose with aromatic components and a touch of honey. Notes of chocolate, pineapple and caramel. Closes on a long, spicy finish.

12. Caribu Ron Anejo Superior

81 points

Aged for more than 18 months in American white oak barrels, Caribu Ron Anejo Superior is golden in colour, fine sweet aroma of citrus fruits and wood. The rum is mixed with water to reach the indicated alcoholic strength. Based on golden aged rum, this drink is soft and sweet in the mouth. With a strong smell reflective of the American white oak wood from which it was sourced.

Caribu Ron Anejo Superior by Bodegas Luediaz, C.A. nabbed a silver medal with an excellent score of 81 points. Here are what our experts on the panel said about this rum:

Tasting notes: Flavors of light maple, caramel, apple, and vanilla. On the palate nuances of dark chocolate and dried fruit with a short finish.

13. Caribu Ron Anejo Selection Solera

81 points

Caribu Ron Anejo Selection Solera, produced by Bodegas Luediaz, C.A., won a silver medal with 81 points that have been aged in American white oak and French oak barrels. Selection Solera is an exquisite rum created by a perfect balance of alcohols preserved in the soleras of Bodegas Luedaz. A velvety rum with a complex flavour for people who demand more from their rum.

Tasting notes: Rich nose with molasses and caramel. Flavours of vanilla, cinnamon, and fruit with a long cinnamon finish. Rich and full-bodied and would go well with a grilled steak or perhaps a roasted chicken.

14. Ron Añejo Carúpano 18 Reserva Limitada

75 points

The winning streak continued for Destilería Carúpano. Ron Añejo Carúpano rum that's been aged for a long time in sealed white American oak barrels with special reserves for up to 18 years and no Angel's Share replacement. With dazzling golden glitter and amber colour, the rum scooped a bronze medal with 75 points. On the nose, it's delicate, with candied fruit flavours and modest undertones of oak and honey. With a solid and balanced body, it opens quickly. The flavour of figs and chocolate lingers on the taste for a long time before dissipating.

Tasting notes: The nose has a distinct caramel and liquorice flavour. Hints of brioche and cloves on the palate. A well-rounded rum with a strong presence of dark fruit and nuts.

15. Ron Añejo Carúpano 21 Reserva Privada

74 points

Our third-time winner, Ron Añejo Carúpano 21 Reserva Privada this time won a bronze medal with 74 points at the London Spirits Competition. The rum has the aromas of citrus fruits, orange peel confit, grapefruit, and mandarins mixed with a salty sea breeze. The rum is aged in stocks of up to 21 years without loss repositioning and light brown colour with amber and blond raisin highlights. While drinking this rum it gives way to diverse salinity, balanced by a closing touch of bitter. Our judges' taste remarks can be found further down.

Tasting notes: Burned caramel on the nose. The palate has hints of spice and mango. Well-rounded with a pleasant mouthfeel and a clean finish.

16. Ron Añejo Carúpano 12 Reserva Exclusiva

69 points

Venezuela rum, Ron Añejo Carúpano 12 Reserva Exclusiva by Destilería Carúpano picked up a bronze medal with an excellent score of 69 points. Ron Añejo Carúpano 12 Reserva Exclusiva is amber in shade, with traces of pure gold and thick leglets that slowly amble into the rum. Vanilla, plantain confiture, toasted almonds, and hazelnut toffee scents are sweet, with a balanced alcohol flavour. The flavours of coconut, vanilla, caramel, and roasted nuts are lasting in the mouth, accented by alcohol, which reaches the throat in a well-balanced and satisfying manner.

Tasting notes: Strong caramel nose. Pleasant muscovado sugar, and soft caramel hints with citrus peel and nuts.