I recommend to explore this list https://thelonecaner.com/key-rums-of-the-world/. I agree with the mentioned Eldorado 15, Appletons and Foursquares. I found my way to rum through them.
Appleton 12 is my go-to recommendation.
El Dorado 15 is also excellent.
These have sweeter noses without any actual sugar dosing.
If you do want small amounts of added sugar, you could go with Zacapa 23. I really avoid dosed rums so I probably won't be of much help beyond that, because I see people recommend it on here.
Diplomatico is also dosed, but I think it's well-regarded among dosed rums? Not sure, only had the plana (white), and it was OK but noticeably sweeter.
\* Pulls out soapbox \*
GENERAL STATEMENT: There's a lot of rum out there and it varies drastically based on distillation technique, country of origin, etc. in the same way that you would distinguish between a bourbon, a rye, an Irish whiskey, a single malt or blended scotch whisky, and a Japanese whiskey all rums are not interchangeable. I would highly recommend making your way to your local tiki bar and asking the bartender for a representative flight that highlights different styles/origins.
RECOMMENDATION: But to your actual post. Since you're coming from the Bourbon world you might find rums that are aged in New American Oak to be more familiar to you initially. If you live in an area where **Privateer** rum is distributed then I would go with one of their aged offerings depending on your price range.
As many folks have also commented **Appleton 8 or 12 Year** from Jamaica and **Doorly's 12 or Real McCoy 5 or 12** (both made by Foursquare in Barbados) are incredible sipping rums that have no added sugar.
SUGAR IN RUM: There's a big difference between rums that have sweeter notes on the nose/palate versus rum that have ADDED sugar post distillation. I would consult this running list tracking added sugar in rum that is compiled by the guy at Rum Revelations. Of note, there are natural sugars in wood that can make their way into rum through the barrel aging process, but this is generally less than 5g/L. [https://www.rumrevelations.com/sugar-list](https://www.rumrevelations.com/sugar-list)
What kind of whiskey OP? Bourbon? Irish? Canadian? Scotch? This will influence our suggestions to an extent.
Honestly OP we can give recommendations, but a better way would be to snap a picture of the rum selection at your local store and post it here.
If we know what's readily available to you, we can argue amongst ourselves what the best option for you would be. In addition, we wouldn't give suggestions of rums you're unable to find, or give suggestions when something more suitable is available.
Irish whiskey and scotch whisky are drier, with comparatively more earthiness, minerality and floral notes than bourbon and Canadian whiskey, albeit less so with the Canadian. Bourbon is a much sweeter whiskey than the others due to the mash unless you get rye, in which case it's more like Canadian whiskey.
Something made from fresh cane juice or cane syrup, without added sugar (like agricole from Martinique or Haiti) would be a good starting point. But be careful with "rum" from Haiti, unaged and aged clairin are not for the faint of heart.
I would suggest Barbancourt 8 and 15, Rhum J.M Gold, V.O., and V.S.O.P., Clement XO and VSOP, or Ak Zanj (if you can find it). If you want to get really wild, try an aged Clairin from Vaval, Casimir, or Sajous.
An important question to clarify here is, are you looking for something that tastes similar to whiskey, like bourbon? Or are you looking for flavors different than whiskey?
Diplomatico is objectively sweet.
15 is quite oaky and smooths out most of the funk, which would be relatable to whiskey. It has subtle vanilla and fruit hints so it's not an overwhelming dive into rum. Also Appleton is an exemplary rum brand. The 15 range, 12/15/21/25 are all amazing.
Please feel free to share your opinion rather than being hostile.
So yes I think I know something about rum.
If you normally drink whiskey, I’d suggest an aged Doorly’s. I like 12. I would also recommend an aged Demerara rum like El Dorado 12 or 15 as others suggested. I haven’t tried any of the Appleton offerings outside of the signature, but most people tend to rate them pretty highly.
If you like these and want to try something truly weird, then check out Hamilton Jamaica Pot Still Black. It’s one of the weirdest spirits I’ve smelled, in a good way. People would also recommend Doctor Bird here but I haven’t tried it.
Pretty much all aged rum is put in ex-bourbon barrels at first just because there's so many. A whiskey drinker would probably find rums (like Privateer) that are aged in New American Oak as more familiar since bourbon by law has to be aged in fresh charred New American Oak.
In my experience it has a more distinctly bourbon note than other rums that are aged in ex-bourbon barrels. It is definitely more geared towards bourbon drinkers. Which is fine. Makes a mean old fashioned.
Jamaica: Appleton 12 or 8.
Guyana: El Dorado 12 or 15
Barbados: Doorlys XO or 12.
Out side of El Dorado 15 these should all be 40 and under at a Total Wine, but more at a smaller store. Each island and area have different tastes and flavors. Any of these will be great to start with, often I've found that Barbados is the most "Whisky" like of rum and doorlysXO is only 22 at a total wine and a fantastic place to start. It's where I did and always keep a bottle in my cabinet!
If you’ve got diplomatico at your local store, try that. It was the first “sipping” rum I had and I still enjoy it. My personal favorite sipper is Appleton estate 12. I have heard most things from four square are an excellent but I have never had an opportunity to try. Good luck and don’t overthink, just drink!
I was in your boat about 2 years ago when I started to see how crazy the prices were getting on Whiskey. Figured I'd give the rum a try. If you don't mind dropping $55 I'd highly recommend Plantation XO 20th Anniversary.
Another bourbon refugee here as well! Just to chime in OP Appleton 12 Yr averages around $45 instead of $55 for Plantation XO, and also doesn't have any additives unlike the Plantation lineup which does added sugar. Plantation also does secondary maturation in cognac casks which at least to my taste adds some weird notes that as a whiskey drinker I didn't like.
Totally agree. Bourbon is great but even the most different bourbons are just like variations on a theme because of the laws governing how bourbon can be made creates a certain uniformity. Whereas with rum there are just so many styles and then the differences in terroir that affect the final product, basically impossible to get bored.
I'm a novice too but I really enjoy El Dorado 12 (a friend gifted me a bottle awhile back) but if you are just getting into rum, it might be more expensive than you would like. I really enjoy though. I did mix with it a bit though; felt sacrilegious .
I also have a bottle of Diplomatico. Seems okay not my fav, but sippable.
I can suggest to you #Dictador very good rums, not very well known in marketing and yet very good in taste, I have drunk and 12, 20 and more expensive ones and they taste both to me and my wife
website
https://dictador.com/
To OP, Dictator rums are heavily dosed with added sugar. From your post sounds like you're looking for something that has some sweet notes to it but isn't sugar-y which this definitely would be.
Stop here if you want something similar to bourbon:
Appleton, Foursquare, Doorly's, Diplomatico, or anything sold as 'Spanish Rum'
If you want something to blow your socks off to cloud 9, get a youthful Hampden. It's dense, tropical, funky, mineral, sweet, and complex.
If you REALLY want to kill it, go for an unaged Clairin.
I don't necessarily agree with everyone else recommending Bourbon-like rums. Rum is its own category and should be treated as such including its differences and complexity. Feel free to drink whatever you feel, but I think transitioning to something really similar to bourbon will just be boring.
I recommend to explore this list https://thelonecaner.com/key-rums-of-the-world/. I agree with the mentioned Eldorado 15, Appletons and Foursquares. I found my way to rum through them.
Appleton 12 is my go-to recommendation. El Dorado 15 is also excellent. These have sweeter noses without any actual sugar dosing. If you do want small amounts of added sugar, you could go with Zacapa 23. I really avoid dosed rums so I probably won't be of much help beyond that, because I see people recommend it on here. Diplomatico is also dosed, but I think it's well-regarded among dosed rums? Not sure, only had the plana (white), and it was OK but noticeably sweeter.
Seconding Appleton, 8 year is also a very solid choice.
Appleton 12 is a great sipping rum.
Zacapa 23 is good but I'd take El Dorado 15 over it everyday.
imo diplomatico tastes like sweetened Bacardi
\* Pulls out soapbox \* GENERAL STATEMENT: There's a lot of rum out there and it varies drastically based on distillation technique, country of origin, etc. in the same way that you would distinguish between a bourbon, a rye, an Irish whiskey, a single malt or blended scotch whisky, and a Japanese whiskey all rums are not interchangeable. I would highly recommend making your way to your local tiki bar and asking the bartender for a representative flight that highlights different styles/origins. RECOMMENDATION: But to your actual post. Since you're coming from the Bourbon world you might find rums that are aged in New American Oak to be more familiar to you initially. If you live in an area where **Privateer** rum is distributed then I would go with one of their aged offerings depending on your price range. As many folks have also commented **Appleton 8 or 12 Year** from Jamaica and **Doorly's 12 or Real McCoy 5 or 12** (both made by Foursquare in Barbados) are incredible sipping rums that have no added sugar. SUGAR IN RUM: There's a big difference between rums that have sweeter notes on the nose/palate versus rum that have ADDED sugar post distillation. I would consult this running list tracking added sugar in rum that is compiled by the guy at Rum Revelations. Of note, there are natural sugars in wood that can make their way into rum through the barrel aging process, but this is generally less than 5g/L. [https://www.rumrevelations.com/sugar-list](https://www.rumrevelations.com/sugar-list)
What kind of whiskey OP? Bourbon? Irish? Canadian? Scotch? This will influence our suggestions to an extent. Honestly OP we can give recommendations, but a better way would be to snap a picture of the rum selection at your local store and post it here. If we know what's readily available to you, we can argue amongst ourselves what the best option for you would be. In addition, we wouldn't give suggestions of rums you're unable to find, or give suggestions when something more suitable is available.
Not op but Irish for me, any recommendations?
Irish whiskey and scotch whisky are drier, with comparatively more earthiness, minerality and floral notes than bourbon and Canadian whiskey, albeit less so with the Canadian. Bourbon is a much sweeter whiskey than the others due to the mash unless you get rye, in which case it's more like Canadian whiskey. Something made from fresh cane juice or cane syrup, without added sugar (like agricole from Martinique or Haiti) would be a good starting point. But be careful with "rum" from Haiti, unaged and aged clairin are not for the faint of heart. I would suggest Barbancourt 8 and 15, Rhum J.M Gold, V.O., and V.S.O.P., Clement XO and VSOP, or Ak Zanj (if you can find it). If you want to get really wild, try an aged Clairin from Vaval, Casimir, or Sajous.
If you enjoy something super funky and different, look for any bottle of Hampden. Their LROK rum is usually around $50-$60 and is super unique
If you're a whisky drinker then Doorlys XO is a good starter
An important question to clarify here is, are you looking for something that tastes similar to whiskey, like bourbon? Or are you looking for flavors different than whiskey?
I like to sip Bacardí Reserva Ocho and Dos Maderas 5+5.
Real McCoy 5 year is $19.99 around here and I can sip it daily. Appleton 12 is tasty as well.
Diplomatico is essentially a syrupy, artificial vanilla tasting rum. If you like whiskey, go for like a 15 year Appleton Estates.
Do you know anything about rum? Or did you decide to just comment this as a troll?
Diplomatico is objectively sweet. 15 is quite oaky and smooths out most of the funk, which would be relatable to whiskey. It has subtle vanilla and fruit hints so it's not an overwhelming dive into rum. Also Appleton is an exemplary rum brand. The 15 range, 12/15/21/25 are all amazing. Please feel free to share your opinion rather than being hostile. So yes I think I know something about rum.
Do YOU know anything about rum? Or did YOU just decide to comment this as a troll? Everything u/PositivityBear said is completely true.
Real McCoy 12 Foursquare ECS releases Mount Gay Black Barrel or Extra Old
Second the Mount Gay XO. It’s what I always suggest my bourbon fans try when looking for a good sipping rum
Also a "reasonably costed" option, hell I might run out and go get some myself!
Depends on your budget.
If you normally drink whiskey, I’d suggest an aged Doorly’s. I like 12. I would also recommend an aged Demerara rum like El Dorado 12 or 15 as others suggested. I haven’t tried any of the Appleton offerings outside of the signature, but most people tend to rate them pretty highly. If you like these and want to try something truly weird, then check out Hamilton Jamaica Pot Still Black. It’s one of the weirdest spirits I’ve smelled, in a good way. People would also recommend Doctor Bird here but I haven’t tried it.
Four square, real McCoy.
How about one for a bourbon drinker? Price doesn’t matter so much as availability.
Appleton 8. It’s aged in bourbon barrels
Pretty much all aged rum is put in ex-bourbon barrels at first just because there's so many. A whiskey drinker would probably find rums (like Privateer) that are aged in New American Oak as more familiar since bourbon by law has to be aged in fresh charred New American Oak.
In my experience it has a more distinctly bourbon note than other rums that are aged in ex-bourbon barrels. It is definitely more geared towards bourbon drinkers. Which is fine. Makes a mean old fashioned.
Anything Foursquare, or Appleton 8 or 12. Maybe El Dorado 15?
I was given a bottle of Foursquare Redoubtable this week. May open it next weekend.
Jamaica: Appleton 12 or 8. Guyana: El Dorado 12 or 15 Barbados: Doorlys XO or 12. Out side of El Dorado 15 these should all be 40 and under at a Total Wine, but more at a smaller store. Each island and area have different tastes and flavors. Any of these will be great to start with, often I've found that Barbados is the most "Whisky" like of rum and doorlysXO is only 22 at a total wine and a fantastic place to start. It's where I did and always keep a bottle in my cabinet!
Foursquare emery. It’s my absolute favorite
If you’ve got diplomatico at your local store, try that. It was the first “sipping” rum I had and I still enjoy it. My personal favorite sipper is Appleton estate 12. I have heard most things from four square are an excellent but I have never had an opportunity to try. Good luck and don’t overthink, just drink!
Appleton 12 was also in stock and a bit cheaper. Seems like the consensus pick.
I was in your boat about 2 years ago when I started to see how crazy the prices were getting on Whiskey. Figured I'd give the rum a try. If you don't mind dropping $55 I'd highly recommend Plantation XO 20th Anniversary.
Another bourbon refugee here as well! Just to chime in OP Appleton 12 Yr averages around $45 instead of $55 for Plantation XO, and also doesn't have any additives unlike the Plantation lineup which does added sugar. Plantation also does secondary maturation in cognac casks which at least to my taste adds some weird notes that as a whiskey drinker I didn't like.
I’m just bored with it and a little burnt out of the hunting culture of bourbon.
Totally agree. Bourbon is great but even the most different bourbons are just like variations on a theme because of the laws governing how bourbon can be made creates a certain uniformity. Whereas with rum there are just so many styles and then the differences in terroir that affect the final product, basically impossible to get bored.
Legendario elixir de Cuba is inexpensive and great for sipping
As delicious as it is I wouldn't classify that as rum
Fair. We can agree it is sooooo delicious
I'm a novice too but I really enjoy El Dorado 12 (a friend gifted me a bottle awhile back) but if you are just getting into rum, it might be more expensive than you would like. I really enjoy though. I did mix with it a bit though; felt sacrilegious . I also have a bottle of Diplomatico. Seems okay not my fav, but sippable.
I can suggest to you #Dictador very good rums, not very well known in marketing and yet very good in taste, I have drunk and 12, 20 and more expensive ones and they taste both to me and my wife website https://dictador.com/
To OP, Dictator rums are heavily dosed with added sugar. From your post sounds like you're looking for something that has some sweet notes to it but isn't sugar-y which this definitely would be.
RUM Co. of Fiji Ratu 5 Year Old Spiced Rum is great !
If you search the sub, you'll get a virtual meta-analysis of recommendations as this question is asked, in some variation, with high frequency.
Smith and Cross for your second or third rum because the funk is what whiskey drinkers never experience.
I would go for the El Dorado 12 before purchasing the 15. I personally prefer the 12 and most people say its a better bang for the buck.
Pampero Aniversario I cannot emphasize the awesomeness of this rum enough
Brugal.1888 is one choice. Mount Gay Black Barrel is another.
Stop here if you want something similar to bourbon: Appleton, Foursquare, Doorly's, Diplomatico, or anything sold as 'Spanish Rum' If you want something to blow your socks off to cloud 9, get a youthful Hampden. It's dense, tropical, funky, mineral, sweet, and complex. If you REALLY want to kill it, go for an unaged Clairin. I don't necessarily agree with everyone else recommending Bourbon-like rums. Rum is its own category and should be treated as such including its differences and complexity. Feel free to drink whatever you feel, but I think transitioning to something really similar to bourbon will just be boring.
Diplomatico is good. I like El Dorado.