The best single cask rums 2025

Single casks are the unvarnished truth of a distillery. Naturally limited by the size of the cask, they often sell out in seconds and are as individual in taste as a fingerprint.

The criteria: only the best make the cut

As our community grows, so must our standards. A ‘best single cask’ cannot be a fluke that only appeals to a handful of experts. It must appeal to a wider audience. That's why we've raised the bar significantly for this category: at least 40 reviews in the last 12 months were required to qualify.

The winners: the best single cask rums of 2025

Here are the 10 bottlings that made the biggest impact on the RumX world in 2025:

Enough with the data—it's time to look the champions in the eye. Here we proudly present the winning trio of the premier class in all their glory:

🥇 1ST PLACE: Swell de Spirits T.D.L 2001 (RumX Edition)

RX22222 | Median: 9.0 / 10 | Reviews: 64 | Trinidad Distillers Ltd. | Swell de Spirits

The story behind the rum It sounds like a fairy tale, but it's pure reality: one of this year's community bottlings is also the highest-rated rum of the year. This cask caused a storm of enthusiasm when it was first served at the Rhum Fest Paris. Mika Barbaria, the visionary mind behind Swell de Spirits, spent 2.5 years ‘hunting’ for this cask. We are proud that we were finally able to secure it for the RumX community. Is this the best rum of 2025? The data says yes.

What the community says ‘A benchmark rum. It has everything you could want: intensity, a crystal-clear profile and a depth that leaves you speechless.’

Tasting notes A prime example of old Trinidad rum: overripe red fruits meet an almost medicinal, fresh mint note. The profile is extremely concentrated, complex and perfectly balanced. A rum that lingers in the memory long after the last sip.

🥈 2nd PLACE: Precious Liquors Long Pond 2005

RX23695 & RX20000 | Median: 8.9 / 10 | Reviews: 118 | Long Pond | Precious Liquors

The story behind the rum Jamaican rum is actually known for its ‘high ester’ escalation – funky, wild, sometimes exhausting. This cask takes a different approach. It is the definition of elegance. Since Precious Liquors and Bottle Shop Heilbronn shared this cask, two bottlers deserve to be on the podium here.

What the community says The community fell in love with this rum because it achieves the impossible: it is complex enough for nerds, but so incredibly balanced that you simply have to enjoy it. The value for money was repeatedly highlighted as ‘unbeatable’ in the reviews.

Tasting notes Warm and inviting on the nose with coconut, papaya and passion fruit. Fine cedar wood and tobacco give it a masculine depth. On the palate, it surprises with dark chocolate, cinnamon and again that fresh mint, before finishing with a rare umami note.

🥉 3rd PLACE: Vagabond Spirits Savanna Silva 2003

RX23447 | Median: 8.9 / 10 | Reviews: 49 | Savanna | Vagabond Spirits

The story behind the rum “Savanna Funk on steroids!” – that's what people were saying in the corridors of the Berlin Rumfest. Independent bottlings of Savanna are few and far between, and this newcomer from Vagabond Spirits sold out as quickly as it appeared. One of the biggest surprises of the year.

What the community says Fans especially celebrate the “dirty” side of this rum. It is loud, boisterous, and vaguely reminiscent of the legendary Caroni rums, but retains its own unique DNA.

Tasting Notes An incredibly complex bouquet of ripe peaches and cherries, paired with heavy leather and eucalyptus. The taste is dominated by strong English breakfast tea and peach iced tea. The finish? Seemingly endless.

Outlook: Who are the treasure hunters?

A single cask rarely comes alone. Behind each of these barrels is a person who had the courage to select and bottle it. Tomorrow, we will focus on precisely these heroes of the scene. Stay tuned for the category: The best independent bottlers of 2025.