Welcome to our comprehensive guide to the best rum brands in India for the year 2023. India is known for its love of rum, and there’s no shortage of options to choose from. Whether you’re a seasoned rum aficionado or simply looking to expand your palate, we’ve got you covered with our top 10 picks.
In this post, we’ll be exploring the finest rum brands available in India, along with their prices, tasting notes, and what makes them stand out. So if you’re ready to dive into the world of rum, grab a glass, and join us on a journey through the top 10 best rum brands in India for 2023.
Best Rum Brands in India
Old Monk (Price – Rs. 500 to Rs. 800 for 750 ml)
Old Monk rum is one of the most popular and beloved rum brands in India. Known for its distinct vanilla flavor and smooth finish
Old Monk has been a favorite of rum drinkers in India for decades. It is made from high-quality sugarcane molasses and blended with a secret mix of spices to create a unique and rich flavor profile.
| Made of | Sugarcane molasses and then aged in oak barrels for a minimum of 7 years, which allows it to develop its signature flavor and aroma. |
| Taste | It has a soft taste. Besides the dominant flavor of roasted coffee beans and vanilla also spicy hints provided by storage of rum in the charred oak barrels can be felt. |
| Manufacturer | Mohan Meakin |
| Introduced in | 1855 |
| Country of Origin | India |
| Variants | Old Monk Fancy XXX Rum, Old Monk Gold Reserve 12 Years, Old Monk Rum 7 Years, Old Monk Supreme XXX Rum, Old Monk Very Old Vatted XXX Rum, Old monk white, Old Monk XXX Gold Rum, Old Munk Apple Rum, Old Munk Lemon Rum, Old Munk Orange Rum and Old Munk The Legend. |
| Alcohol by Volume | 42.8% |
As a best rum brands in India, Old Monk has won numerous awards and accolades over the years. It has also gained a dedicated following of fans who swear by its smooth taste and exceptional quality. Whether enjoyed on the rocks or mixed in a cocktail, Old Monk rum is a true Indian classic that is sure to satisfy any rum lover’s palate.
Website – oldmonkrum.ee
Bacardi (Price – Rs. 1,100 to Rs. 1,700 for 750 ml)
Bacardi rum is a type of rum that is produced by the Bacardi Limited company. It is one of the most popular and widely recognized brands of rum in the India and around the world, known for its smooth and versatile taste.
| Made of | Special combination of molasses from sugarcane, yeast and water |
| Varieties | White and Dark rum available |
| Taste | Rum is a light and aromatically balanced rum. Subtle notes of almonds and lime are complemented by hints of vanilla. The finish is dry, crisp, and clean. |
| Manufacturer | Bacardi Limited |
| Introduced in | 1862 |
| Country of Origin | Cuba |
| Flavour | Apple, Orange, Cranberry, Lemonade and coconut |
| Variants | BACARDÍ CARTA BLANCA, BACARDÍ SPICED, BACARDÍ RESERVA OCHO, BACARDÍ COCONUT |
| Alcohol by Volume | 40% |
The brand became popular worldwide, and in the early 20th century, Bacardi moved its operations to Puerto Rico. Today, Bacardi is produced in several locations around the world, including Puerto Rico, Mexico, and India.
Website – bacardi.com
Captain Morgan ( Price – Rs. 1,100 to Rs. 1,500 for 750 ml)
Captain Morgan is one of the best rum brands in India, known for its high-quality and flavorful rums. The brand is named after the famous Welsh privateer Sir Henry Morgan, and its rum is made from molasses that is distilled in the Caribbean and then aged in oak barrels.
| Made of | Captain Morgan is created with yeast, molasses, water, and mash. |
| Varieties | White Rum, Dark Rum, Spiced Gold and Tiki |
| Taste | Rich vanilla, brown sugar, dried fruit, warming spices with hints of oak |
| Manufacturer | Diageo |
| Introduced in | 1944 |
| Country of Origin | United States Virgin Islands |
| Variants | Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold, Captain Morgan Dark Rum, Captain Morgan White Rum and Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold and Cola Premix. |
| Alcohol by Volume | 35% |
Captain Morgan has established itself as one of the top rum brands in India, and is favored by many rum enthusiasts and cocktail lovers.
Website – captainmorgan.com
Malibu ( Price- Rs. 1,100 to Rs. 1,500 for 750 ml)
Malibu Rum is a popular brand of rum that is known for its distinct coconut flavor. While Malibu Rum is enjoyed by people all over the world, its popularity in India has been steadily increasing in recent years.
| Made of | Caribbean rum (molasses/sugarcane distillate), water, sugar, natural flavouring, acid: citric acid. |
| Taste | Creamy coconut taste with vanilla custard notes |
| Flavours | Banana, Pineapple, Passion fruit, island melon and Mango |
| Manufacturer | West Indies Rum Distillery Ltd. |
| Country of Origin | Barbados |
| Introduced in | 1982 |
| Variants | Malibu Original, Malibu Peach New!, Malibu Watermelon, Malibu Lime, Malibu Strawberry, Malibu Pineapple, Malibu Mango, Malibu Passion Fruit. |
| Alcohol by Volume | 21% |
Website – maliburumdrinks.com
Havana club Rum (Price – Rs. 1,800 to Rs. 2,500 for 750 ml)
Havana Club is a brand of rum that originated in Cuba and is now owned by the French company Pernod Ricard. The brand was first established in 1934, and its rums are made using traditional Cuban techniques and aged in oak barrels.
| Made of | Molasses |
| Varieties | white, gold, and dark rum |
| Flavours | Sweet tobacco, vanilla, butterscotch, caramelised tropical fruits, cinnamon and other darkened spices. |
| Taste | Complex, slightly honeyed nose with hints of vanilla cream, buttery toffee, cinnamon, cedar and sandalwood. |
| Manufacturer | 1) State-owned Corporación Cuba Ron; 2) Bacardi |
| Introduced in | 1934 |
| Country of Origin | Cuba |
| Variants | Añejo Blanco, Añejo 3 Años, Añejo Especial, Añejo Reserva, Añejo 7 Años, Cuban Barrel Proof and Máximo Extra Añejo. |
| Alcohol by Volume | 40% |
Its smooth taste, unique flavor profile, and association with Cuban culture and history make it an attractive choice for those looking to explore new and exotic flavors in their drinks. In India Havana club Rum not so popular in India but it’s unique flavour make it attractive.
Website – havana-club.com
McDowell’s No.1 Celebration (Price – Rs. 800 to 1200 for 750 ml)
McDowell’s No.1 Celebration is a popular rum brand in India, known for its smooth taste and rich aroma. Made by blending whisky and select Indian malts, it is ranked as the largest selling Whisky Brand in the world as per World’s Million case spirits brand 2020 ranking.
| Made of | Blending whisky and Indian malts |
| Taste | Rum has a sweet, woody, and slightly smoky flavor, and is often associated with tropical regions such as the Caribbean and Latin America |
| Manufacturer | United Spirits Limited |
| Introduced in | 1991 |
| Country of Origin | India |
| Variants | McDowell’s No.1 Caribbean (White rum) |
| Alcohol by Volume | 42.8% |
McDowell’s No1 has created a unique bond with its 25+ million consumers. And it is a brand that has been deeply entrenched among Yaars since 120 years.
Website – diageoindia.com
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Diplomatico (Price – Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 5,000 for 750 ml)
Diplomático rum is a premium rum brand that originates from Venezuela. The brand is known for producing some of the finest rums in the world, and it has gained significant popularity among rum connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike.
| Made of | Molasses |
| Taste | Spicy, medium-to-heavy mouth feel, buttery, fruity and spicy all at the same time, slight touch of sulfur and tobacco notes lets you know it is a molasses rather than a cane rum. Nutty, spicy, finish is long, but subtle. Slightly dry nutty finish with sweetness rather than a nasty sweet cloying that some rums have. |
| Manufacturer | Destillers United Group S.L.(Brown Frown) |
| Introduced in | 1959 |
| Country of Origin | Venezuela |
| Variants | Reserva Exclusiva, Mantuano, Diplomatico Ambassador, Single vintage and Planas |
| Alcohol by Volume | 40% |
Diplomático rum has gained popularity due to its high quality, award-winning status, and effective marketing efforts. Whether you’re a seasoned rum enthusiast or a casual drinker, Diplomático is a brand that is worth trying.
Website – rondiplomatico.com
Mount Gay (Price Rs. 1,800 to Rs. 2,500 for 750 ml)
Mount Gay Rum’s popular in India because of this reputation for being a premium, high-quality product. The brand has a long history of producing some of the finest rums in the world, and its products are known for their smooth flavor and exceptional quality.
| Made of | Molasses, water and Yeast |
| Taste | The rum has a sweet taste, and little bit buttery |
| Manufacturer | Mount Gay Distilleries Ltd. |
| Introduced in | 1890 |
| Country of Origin | Barbados (west Indies) |
| Variants | Silver ( Smooth & Refined), Eclipse (CRISP & AROMATIC), Black Barrel(ROBUST & BOLD), XO (ROUND & COMPLEX), 1703 Master Select (ELEGANT & SOPHISTICATED). |
| Alcohol by Volume | 55% |
Website – mountgayrum.com
Appleton Estate (Price – Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 2,500 for 750 ml)
Appleton Estate rum brand is a renowned Jamaican rum brand that has gained a strong Popularity in India as well as World.
| Made of | Sugar cane grown on the estate and water from its limestone spring, aged in 40 gallon American oak barrels, and blended by Joy Spence, the world’s first female Master Blender. |
| Taste | Appleton Estate Signature Blend is full-bodied, medium-sweet rum. It’s a delicious blend of 15 aged golden rums with a warm honey color, a lush, fruity aroma and a rich taste. |
| Manufacturer | Wray & Nephew (Jamaica) Ltd |
| Introduced in | 1749 |
| Country of Origin | Jamaica |
| Variants | Appleton estate signature, Appleton estate 8 year old reserve, Appleton estate 12 year old rare casks, Appleton estate 15 year old rare black river casks and Appleton estate 21 year old nassau valley casks. |
| Alcohol by Volume | 40% |
Website – appletonestate.com
Contessa – (Price – Rs.750 to Rs. for 1000 ml)
Last but not the list , Contessa Rum the queen of all rums and one of the best rum brands in India and has specially been distilled from fermented sugarcane and blended to perfection. It is matured in wood to make it warm and mellow. Its inimitable warmth combined with delicate flavour makes Contessa Rum smooth and light.
| Made of | Distilled from fermented sugarcane and blended to perfection. |
| Taste | Notes of vanilla, caramel, and spice |
| Manufacturer | Radico Khaitan |
| Introduced in | 1943 |
| Country of Origin | India |
| Variants | Contessa rum |
| Alcohol by Volume | 42.8% |
Website – radicokhaitan.com
Frequently asked Questions
Which brand is best in rum in India?
Old Monk is often considered as the best brand of rum in India due to its unique taste, quality, and affordable price range. Old Monk has been a popular brand of rum in India for several decades.
What is White Rum ?
White rum is usually a light-bodied variant with a soft, sweet taste. It is usually used as a classic base for many popular cocktails, such as the Mojito and Piña Colada.
Which is the No 1 selling rum in India?
The No. 1 selling rum In India is Old Monk, a dark rum produced by Mohan Meakin Limited. Old Monk has been a popular brand in India for several decades and is known for its distinct taste and aroma. It is often consumed neat or with cola, and is also used in a variety of cocktails.
Which rum is given to Indian Army?
Old Monk is the rum that is often associated with the Indian Army. It is said that Old Monk has been a favorite drink of the Indian armed forces for several decades, and is often referred to as the “Army rum” in India. In fact, the bottle features a soldier on its label, which has contributed to its popularity among military personnel. However, it’s important to note that there is no official contract or agreement between the Indian Army and Old Monk, and the choice of alcoholic beverages for individual soldiers may vary.
What is the world’s best selling rum?
The world’s best-selling rum brand is Tanduay, which is produced in the Philippines. Tanduay has been a popular brand for more than 160 years and is known for its smooth and versatile taste. It is particularly popular in Asia, where it is the market leader in countries like the Philippines, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. According to a report by International Wine & Spirits Research, Tanduay sold over 19.5 million cases of rum in 2020, making it the best-selling rum brand in the world. Other popular rum brands include Bacardi, Captain Morgan, and McDowell’s No. 1 Celebration.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the rum market in India is thriving, and there are a plethora of options to choose from. Whether you are a seasoned rum enthusiast or a beginner, there is a brand and a price point that can cater to your taste. From the classic Old Monk to the Contessa, the top 10 best rum brands in India in 2023 offer a diverse range of flavors and experiences. So, next time you are in the mood for a rum-based cocktail or just a sip of something strong, consider one of these top 10 rum brands to elevate your drinking experience.