No compromises: The best rums from 2021

What were the most popular releases of 2021? We have made an analysis and collected the best rated new releases for you.

Rum Artesanal’s unparalleled rise in 2020 and 2021 could hardly go unnoticed. An entire series of outstanding releases catapulted the bottler from Northern Germany into hearts, minds and glasses of the rum community - and last not least into our rums of the year list: 4 out of the 10 top rated rums by our RumX community in 2021 come from Rum Artesanal. Wow!

The top runner was Rum Artesanal’s 2021 release of an 1986 Rockley which was often stated to be one of if not the best Rockley bottling ever. The average rating by our RumX community of 93,17 points puts this bottle among the highest rated bottles of all time - making it a true milestone and benchmark rum. Also the second place goes to Rum Artesanal for another rum bottling from the 80s: The Hampden 1989 received an average rating of 92,71 points and thus scored only slightly lower than the Rockley.

The third rank is taken by another release from this distillery - Nobilis, our silver medal winner in the bottler of the year 2021 list, pulled a real coup with their 1993 Hampden and scored 92,25 points from the RumX community.

But also the remaining slots are taken by absolutely remarkable rums - up to slot 6, the average RumX rating is still above 90 points. Kudos to all bottlers behind these marvelous releases!

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Image of the front of the bottle of the rum Rum Artesanal Barbados Rum Rockley Style BBR

93/10

41 ratings

Rum Artesanal Barbados Rum Rockley Style BBR

Heinz Eggert GmbH • West Indies
1986   34yr   53,7%   €€€€

Community opinion:

“Exceptional, honey-sweet, complex, well-balanced with a sublime, creamy texture.”

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Image of the front of the bottle of the rum Rum Artesanal Jamaica Rum HD HGML

92/10

34 ratings

Rum Artesanal Jamaica Rum HD HGML

Heinz Eggert GmbH • Hampden
1989   31yr   67,6%   €€€€

Community opinion:

“Exceptional, intensely fruity Hampden with perfect alcohol integration; a masterpiece.”

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Image of the front of the bottle of the rum No. 2 C<>H

92/10

24 ratings

No. 2 CH

Nobilis Rum • Hampden
1993   27yr   65,8%   €€€€

Community opinion:

“Exceptional Jamaican gem with explosive fruity nose and everlasting finish.”

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Image of the front of the bottle of the rum Jamaican Rum <>H

90/10

20 ratings

Jamaican Rum H

Old Brothers • Hampden
2001   19yr   61,6%   €€€€

Community opinion:

“Explosive tropical delight, perfectly balanced, funky, and complex masterpiece.”

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Image of the front of the bottle of the rum Rum Artesanal Guyana Rum VSG

90/10

20 ratings

Rum Artesanal Guyana Rum VSG

Heinz Eggert GmbH • Enmore
1985   36yr   54,3%   €€€€

Community opinion:

“Exquisite, complex rum with distinct graphite and herbaceous notes. Unique.”

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Image of the front of the bottle of the rum 5th Employees Deodat „Breeze“ Manmohan HTR

90/10

31 ratings

5th Employees Deodat „Breeze“ Manmohan HTR

Velier • Caroni
1996   25yr   66,7%   €€€€

Community opinion:

“Exquisite Caroni '96: caramel sweetness, elegantly balanced, complex refinement.”

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Image of the front of the bottle of the rum S.B.S Guyana REV

89/10

31 ratings

S.B.S Guyana REV

1423 World Class Spirits • Enmore
1994   26yr   48,5%   €€€€

Community opinion:

“Tantalizingly complex, woody, with lingering licorice and tobacco notes. Exquisite.”

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Image of the front of the bottle of the rum Rum Artesanal Guyana Rum REV

89/10

31 ratings

Rum Artesanal Guyana Rum REV

Heinz Eggert GmbH • Enmore
1994   27yr   53,1%   €€€€

Community opinion:

“Exquisite, robust rum with harmonious complexity and long, satisfying finish.”

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Image of the front of the bottle of the rum S.B.S Guyana SWR

89/10

36 ratings

S.B.S Guyana SWR

1423 World Class Spirits • Skeldon
2001   19yr   53,2%   €€€€

Community opinion:

“Rich, complex, fruity; a delightful Guyanese experience with a long finish.”

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Image of the front of the bottle of the rum Rumclub Private Selection Ed. 18 Treasure Cask Jamaica HLCF

89/10

31 ratings

Rumclub Private Selection Ed. 18 Treasure Cask Jamaica...

Spirit of Rum • Hampden
1992   29yr   58,6%   €€€€

Community opinion:

“Complex, estery treasure with a beautifully balanced, funky Jamaican vibe.”