The World’s Best Rum—According To The New York World Spirits Association
The New York World Spirits Competition announced today that the best rum for 2024 is Star & Key VSOP Single Cask rum. The rum outscored competitors to win the competition's Best in Show Distinction.
The Tasting Alliance, which also runs the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, hosted The New York World Spirits Competition this summer in Brooklyn. For the competition, top beverage writers, producers, and bartenders blind-taste tested rums and other spirits from around the globe. Best in class, double gold, gold, silver, and bronze awards were previously announced, but Best in Show awards are being announced this month. We previously wrote about the Best in Show vodka winner: Weber Ranch 1902 Vodka . For rum, there were several Best in Class awards divided by type of rum but Star & Key VSOP Single cask was deemed the top rum overall.
In the U.S., rum as a category has seen a mix of success and setbacks recently. Sales of rum are trending up overall in recent years and rum is the fifth-best-selling U.S. spirit but it also saw declining sales between 2022 and 2023 . Still, some industry experts predict major growth for rum and there is increasing interest in higher-priced aged and premium rums . This trend toward premium brands mirrors what has occurred in the bourbon, whiskey and more recently tequila markets. Regardless of where rum is trending overall, this win means Star & Key VSOP Single Cask rum is trending up.
Here's a closer look at what makes this rum special as well as more information about the two runner-up rums, which received the best of wins in their respective categories.
The World's Best Rum According To The New York World Spirits CompetitionStar & Key VSOP Single Cask, like all Star & Key rums, is produced on Mauritius, an island country in the Indian Ocean about 1,000 miles off the coast of Africa. And like all the rums produced by Star & Key its flavor is influenced by the region's unique terroir. The rum also employs a single-cask aging process that gives each bottle its own special character. According to the New York World Spirits Competition, "Star & Key VSOP Single Cask Rum opens with inviting aromas of warm vanilla, caramel, and subtle spices, leading to a full-bodied palate with notes of toffee, oak, and tropical fruit. The finish is long, smooth, and complex, showcasing the depth achieved through single-cask aging." If you can't get all the way to the remote island nation of Mauritius this rum might just be the next best thing. It's also affordable at $39.99 a bottle.
The World's Best Vodka—According To The New York World Spirits Competition 5 Of The World's Best Whiskeys—According To The New York International Spirits Competition Best White Rum/Silver RumPalm Republic Rum Silver took home the ward for top white rum. The competition judges were impressed with its vibrant citrus and tropical notes, as well as its smooth finish. As a high-quality white rum, it can of course be sipped neat but also lends itself well to a variety of classic cocktails including mojitos.
Best Dark Rum/Gold RumPampero Aniversario Rum is a Venezuelan dark rum that is aged in oak barrels. The New York World Spirits Competition judges were impressed by Pampero Aniversario's notes of molasses, dark chocolate, and a hint of dried fruit. The competition's notes recommend this rum for cocktails where "depth and warmth are key." However, it is also good enough to drink neat.
