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!
7784
Top review from Jakob:
"Head-to-head with the Silver Seal and for me a nose ahead - although this can turn out the other way around at the next comparison. Here, too, smoke, honey, fresh fruitiness, plus green notes - the all-round pampering program for aficionados, which makes every tasting a star hour of rum. Always a pleasure!"
7786
Top review from Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰:
"Sampling this one right now and I have to admit that it's one of the most well balanced rums I have ever tried when it comes to ABV integration.Very fruity and lovely funk from nose to finish. There is a slight roasting note on the finish that I like a lot.Wonderful rum that is virtually impossible to get.Put my nose in the glass today and the smoke is very strong today :-)"
7790
Top review from cigares :
"Un nez de vieux bois verni avec de la sciure et comme un alcool de mirabelle. La bouche plonge assez vite sur une sorte de réglisse et pruneaux, puis une papaye trop mûre et de la cire à parquets, le bois sous toutes ses formes et, très présent quand l’a repéré, le graphite/mine de crayon. Un côté médicaments amers me gêne un peu, surtout en fin de bouche. La finale est longue, sur la papaye trop mûre et le bois sous toutes ses formes. Le verre vide est marqué par la fumée et le chêne. Pas trop fan de ce rhum, même s’il raconte une histoire de vieux bois, il manque d’équilibre et des arômes déviants me gênent un peu."
9537
Top review from Jakob:
"Not quite on the outstanding level of the other bottlings from 1994, which could possibly also be due to the lower alcohol content and the associated, somewhat reduced aromatics - but REV nevertheless remains an outstanding marque that knows how to convince constantly."
7789
Top review from Zucker und Zeste:
"Komplex und kräftig in der Nase und am Gaumen. Dörrpflaume, Kräuter, Gewürze und kräftige Fassaromen wechseln sich ab. Der Alkohol ist wunderbar eingebunden. Hat uns richtig Spaß gemacht. Toller Rum der richtig Spaß macht!"
9405
Top review from Jakob:
"Very round, sweet melange of spices and fresh wood. For me, a bit too straightforward and pleasing in profile to strike out even higher in the rating. But that is criticism at the highest level, since the top league from Guyana simply has even more complexity, finesse and aromatics to offer. Nevertheless, a high-class representative of the current Demerara squad."
