Puerto Rico is known for their beautiful islands, but do you know that they are also one of the best rum producers in the world? In fact, the largest premium rum distillery in the world is located in Puerto Rico.
With all the rum brands in the market today, finding Puerto Rican rums that are good value for money can be challenging. We’ll save you from hassle because here are the best rums in Puerto Rico that you should not miss out on.
Table of Contents
ToggleTop 10 Best Rum In Puerto Rico (Most Voted)
10. Ron Llave
Average Price: Roughly $18.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It:
Ron Llave is a premium Puerto Rican rum with a rich history dating back to the 19th century. Unlike other primary Puerto Rican rums, Ron Llave is produced on the Northern Coast of Puerto Rico.
Ron Llave delivers nice flavor and lightness to various mixed drinks. It has a mellow character and mixability, making every Puerto Rican rum more popular. In addition, the local rum is relatively cheaper than other premium rums.
9. PitoRico
Average Price: Roughly $20.15 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 53%
Why We Like It:
Puerto Rico calls itself the world’s rum capital [1], and PitoRico’s unmistakable flavor makes it the best Puerto Rican rum in the market today. PitoRico brings authentic Puerto Rican flavors in a bottle.
For years, the production of PitoRico has been classified illicit by the authorities for not paying taxes, but now, La Destileria Craft Spirits offers refined and handmade versions.
The Puerto Rican rum has a flavorful blend of tropical fruit, coconut, bittersweet tamarindo, and exotic Paracha.
8. Ron Coquí
Average Price: Roughly $10.95 (Destileria Coqui Official Website)
Alcohol Content: 39%
Why We Like It:
Coqui Rum is a small batch of artisanal Puerto Rican rum crafted with a true commitment to quality. The new generation of rum makers in Western Puerto Rico is in-charge of its production.
Destileria Coqui, Inc is the largest artisan distillery on the island today. They take pride in producing handcrafted rums in Puerto Rico. Coqui is distilled from molasses, resulting in a nice flavor profile that mixes well in cocktails.
7. Trigo Reserva Gran Añejo
Average Price: Roughly $39.99 (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It:
Trigo Reserva Gran Añejo is an aged rum matured in barrels for ten years for its amber hue and smooth and mellow vanilla scent.
The Puerto Rican rum will greet you on the palate with maple, vanilla, and caramel notes. It has a lingering spicy finish accented by flavors like clove, cayenne, and black pepper.
Unlike rums aged from other brands, Trigo Reserva Gran Añejo is cheaper and well-loved for its mixability. You can consume it neat or as a rum cocktail that you can share with your friends and family members.
6. Club Caribe Rum
Average Price: Roughly $10.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It:
Club Caribe is the best Puerto Rican rum brand that delivers white and flavored rums with a tropical splash. The brand uses premium quality ingredients in every bottle of rum to ensure its quality and mixability.
Club Caribe Rum boasts its 80-proof (40% ABV) and remarkable flavors. Aside from the Club Caribe Silver, Dark, and Gold Rum, they produce rum with flavors like citrus, lemon, mango, coconut, and pineapple.
5. Don Q (Serrallés)
Average Price: Roughly $27.90 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40-45%
Why We Like It:
Don Q (Serralles Collection) is a perfect rum collection to drink, especially on special occasions, because they offer a bright and radiant rum selection.
The Serrallés Family owns the Serrallés distillery, and they’ve been perfecting their rum selection for over six generations.
The Don Q (Don Quixote) offers a flavorful blend of rums made from premium molasses and matured in American white oak barrels.
There are six rums in the Don Q Serralles Collection, but they also offer Don Q Añejo, Don Q Cristal, Don Q Gold, Don Q Limon, and many more.
Read: Popular Jamaican Rum Brands
4. Ron del Barrilito
Average Price: Roughly $44.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 43%
Why We Like It:
Ron Del Barrilito (3 Star) is an impeccable blend of rum aged six and ten years in Oloroso oak barrels. Ron del Barrilito can be consumed neat, on the rocks, or as a cocktail. The rum is medium-bodied with a natural dark reddish color.
We enjoyed the rum-tasting tour in Puerto Rico, and we found the tasting notes of Ron Del Barrilito interesting because of its fruity sweetness and lingering smoky finish.
The brand continuously uses the same formula Pedro Fernandez used to make the rum on his father’s sugarcane plantation.
3. Palo Viejo
Average Price: Roughly $14.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It:
If Don Q is known around the world, Palo Viejo Rum is a household name and well-known within its home.
The secret blend of this authentic rum makes the drink smooth, enjoyable, and mixable. It does a good job mixing almost everything, whether lime juice or simple orange juice.
On the nose, Palo Viejo offers a sweet and salty blend that is noticeable but not overwhelming. It can be a nice sipping rum, but we bet you will appreciate more of its flavor when you consume it with mixers.
2. Caliche Rum
Average Price: Roughly $21.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It:
Caliche Rum is another rum brand from Serralles Family Distillery, and their family’s sixth generation currently operates it.
The distillery is home to a large percentage of rum consumed by Puerto Rico’s population, and their expertise, experience, and knowledge result in world-class rums.
Caliche Rum is their new expression, and white rum is composed of rums aged for five years. It is then carbon filtered to remove the coloring in an attempt to make a hybrid of rum with young and old characteristics.
It has a nice aroma of citrus, leather, tea, molasses, and black figs. In addition, it has a smooth and slightly sweet taste, perfect for sipping neat. However, if you love to drink cocktails, it is versatile enough to be mixed with various juices.
1. Bacardi
Average Price: Roughly $19.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 37.5%
Why We Like It:
Bacardi began its rum business in Cuba, and Facundo Bacardi Masso started rum production in 1862. Their facility in Cataño, Puerto Rico, is the largest premium rum distillery in the world [2].
Aside from Bacardi rums, they offer products such as Bombay Sapphire gin, Grey Goose vodka, Dewar’s whiskey, and Cazadores tequila. Bacardi is an aromatic rum with light-tasting and subtle citrus, vanilla, and floral notes.
Read: Bacardi vs Captain Morgan Rum
Where To Buy The Best Puerto Rican Rums
You can buy the best Puerto Rican rums in San Juan Airport Duty-Free. On our visit to Puerto Rico, we managed to score Don Q, Bacardi Limited, and Bacardi 8 at a lower price than any store on the island.
You can also score bottles in stores in the towns of Luquillo and Fajardo, but there are unique perks with San Juan duty-free.
You can take your rum to your final destination (anywhere in the USA) without checking it in your luggage. Also, they offer discounts which make the rum cheaper.
FAQs
What rum can you only get in Puerto Rico?
Casa Bacardi Special Reserve is the rum you can only get in Puerto Rico and is not available anywhere. It is a combination of rum aged eight to twelve years and finished in an Oloroso sherry cask.
Is rum cheap in Puerto Rico?
Yes, rum is cheap in Puerto Rico, especially if you can score one in San Juan Duty-Free. While it is said that rum is cheap, they offer additional discounts making the rum cheaper than any stores on the island.
How many bottles of rum can you bring back from Puerto Rico?
Based on San Juan Food Tours, you can bring back 5 quarts of rum from Puerto Rico. It would be better to purchase the rum in San Juan Duty-Free because you don’t have to go through customs. If it’s two bottles, you can have it on your carry-on luggage.
Is Captain Morgan rum from Puerto Rico?
No, Captain Morgan’s rum is not from Puerto Rico but the US Virgin Islands. However, it was previously produced in Puerto Rico before Diageo moved it to the US Virgin Islands.
What is the oldest rum in Puerto Rico?
The Oldest Rum in Puerto Rico is the Ron Del Barrilito. The brand has been in the business since 1880 [3] and continuously delivers consistent and world-class rum today.
What makes rum from Puerto Rico special?
Rum from Puerto Rico is known for its rich history, exceptional quality, and smooth flavor profile, making it a favorite among rum enthusiasts worldwide.
What factors determine the best rum in Puerto Rico?
Factors such as distillation method, aging process, and the use of locally sourced ingredients contribute to determining the best rum in Puerto Rico.
Can I visit rum distilleries in Puerto Rico to learn more?
Yes! Many rum distilleries in Puerto Rico offer tours and tastings, allowing visitors to learn about the production process and sample different varieties of rum firsthand.
Are there any limited-edition or special releases of rum from Puerto Rico?
Yes! Some rum brands in Puerto Rico offer limited-edition releases or special bottlings, showcasing unique flavors and characteristics that highlight the island’s rich rum-making heritage.
Final Say
Whether you are going on a trip to the beautiful island of Puerto Rico or want to taste local rums from this tiny island, you can rely on the brands we mentioned above.
Rum production in Puerto Rico is on an international scale, and the industry employs many people across the area.
While high-quality rums in Puerto Rico tend to be pricey, great rums are affordable and bang for your buck. They are rich in flavors and feature complexity best for sipping and cocktails.
References:
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2011/11/16/puerto-rican-rum-makes-comeback/
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200319005811/en/Bacardi-Helps-Produce-Hand-Sanitizers-With-Change-in-Production
- https://www.eater.com/drinks/2016/2/26/11116600/puerto-rico-best-rm-ron-del-barrilito