Robert Bauer's Favourites

In my view, 2024 was definitely dominated by Jamaica, while the new bottlings from Guyana tended to remain in the background in terms of quality. It was also particularly pleasing to observe the increasing appreciation for the Agricole Rhum category, in which there are still great bottlings at fair prices. However, here is a compilation of some of my favourites from all countries and price categories.

Curated by Robert Bauer, Fine Spirits Expert & Concept Designer
245 tastings
Updated June 2026

Rums in this list

  1. Best for: Jamaica fans who want fruit and wood over heavy Hampden funk

    A widely-loved younger Monymusk: woody, fruity and well-balanced with the 62% tucked in tight. Not the deepest EMB, but honest value and lots of character. Best with air and water.

  2. Best for: Hampden fans who also like sherry-cask depth and rum-raisin sweetness

    Well-liked as an easy, balanced Hampden-meets-sherry sipper. The real split: sherry fans love the rum-raisin roundness, purists say it smooths the funk too much and a few catch a sulfur/rubber edge.

  3. Best for: Caroni fans who want dirty industrial notes with sweetness

    Loved almost universally as a rounder, spice-and-menthol take on 1996 Caroni. One taster calls it near-perfectly balanced, which for him meant nothing dominates — but most rate it very high.

  4. Best for: Cognac fans and drinkers who like spicy, dry cask-strength agricole

    Most find it complex and cognac-driven, with gingerbread, dried fruit and grape. The catch: several say the alcohol isn't fully tucked in and the finish turns bitter and tannic.

  5. Best for: Clairin and high-ester fans who want raw, vegetal cane character

    Loved as one of the best whites around — vegetal, smoky and intense, with the 69% shockingly well-integrated. A handful find the earth-and-tar profile too much to sip neat.

  6. Best for: Fans of old Demerara wooden-still rum

    One of the loved 1994 REV bottlings — dark, woody, plummy and remarkably balanced, with the alcohol barely showing. A few wanted more power at this proof, and the pencil note isn't for everyone.

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