USA TODAY 10Best
Best Caribbean rum maker? Readers vote Topper's Rhum
Best Caribbean Rum Distillery (2020)
If there's one thing the Caribbean is known for as much as its beaches, it's its rum. The spirit was first distilled on the islands during the 17th century when sugar plantation slaves discovered molasses — a byproduct of the refining process — could be fermented into alcohol. Caribbean rum producers have spent the centuries since perfecting the process of distillation, aging and blending, and many of the world's best rums come from the Caribbean.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Caribbean Rum Distillery are as follows:
- Mount Gay Rum - Barbados
- John Watling's Distillery - Nassau, Bahamas
- Clarke's Court Rum - Grenada
- Cadushy Distillery - Bonaire
- Callwood Rum Distillery - Tortola, British Virgin Islands
- Demerara Distillers - Guyana
- Cruzan Rum Distillery - St. Croix, U.S.V.I.
- Ron del Barrilito - Puerto Rico
- Appleton Estate - Jamaica
- Topper's Rhum - Sint Maarten
Photo courtesy of Lydia Schrandt
No. 10:
At the Mount Gay Rum Visitors Centre in Barbados, the colorful history of the world's oldest rum comes to life. In operation since 1703, the distillery in St. Lucy Parish includes both historic and modern equipment, as well as a duty-free store for purchasing rum and other souvenirs.
Photo courtesy of iStock / a_namenko
No. 9:
Situated in historic downtown Nassau within the 1789 Buena Vista Estate, John Watling's Distillery offers free production and museum tours where visitors learn all about the facility's small-batch rum. Guests can watch production in action from a viewing mezzanine before sipping rum-infused cocktails inside the Red Turtle Tavern. Since the Bahamas lacks a sugar industry of its own, John Watling's sources their distillates from elsewhere in the Caribbean before blending and barrel aging on site.
Photo courtesy of Clarke's Court Rum
No. 8:
Clarke’s Court has been making rum on Grenada since the 18th century. While the former sugar cane factory now imports much of its molasses from Guyana, the massive facilities are still well worth a visit, particularly during the more active months between January and September.
Photo courtesy of The Cadushy Distillery
No. 7:
Founded in 2009 as Bonaire's first and only distillery, The Cadushy Distillery not only produces rum, but also cactus vodka, the first Caribbean whiskey, tequila and a series of liqueurs inspired by the island's Dutch Caribbean heritage. A shady courtyard serves as the tasting room for sampling the myriad spirits.
Photo courtesy of Callwood Rum Distillery
No. 6:
Callwood Rum Distillery is one of the oldest continuously operating pot distilleries in the Caribbean. Visitors to this British Virgin Islands facility can still see some of the old equipment used throughout the distillery’s history of making rum.
Photo courtesy of iStock / itakdalee
No. 5:
Guyana’s most famous export, Eldorado Rum, was made at this distillery as early as 1670. While production has since moved elsewhere, the historic facility now houses a museum and hosts tours, offering the chance to see the last operating wooden Coffey in the world.
Photo courtesy of iStock / Shaiith
No. 4:
Cruzan Rum has been family operated by the Nelthropp family since 1760. Today, St. Croix visitors can get a peak inside the Cruzan distillery's open air warehouses, followed by a tasting of the award-winning rums.
Photo courtesy of Ron del Barrilito
No. 3:
Ron del Barrilito rum has been made using the same traditional techniques since 1880, made in small batches with no artificial ingredients or colors and aged in vintage American white oak sherry barrels. Visitors to Puerto Rico can learn more about the process on guided heritage tours of the distillery.
Photo courtesy of iStock / alpaksoy
No. 2:
Appleton Estate, Jamaica's largest and oldest distillery, produced its first batch of rum in 1749. Today the estate welcomes visitors to tour the facilities, learn how the rum is produced and sample some of Appleton's 17 varieties of rum. A well-stocked gift shop at the end of the tour gives ample opportunity for adult souvenirs.
Photo courtesy of Topper's Rhum Distillery
No. 1:
Visitors to this 6,000-square-foot facility in Sint Maarten gain insight into the history of rum-making while seeing the blending and bottling process firsthand. Visitors also get to sample new flavors in development, along with the full lineup of artisan rums, in the tasting bar. Those who'd like to take some Topper's home can even bottle their own.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning rum makers!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Melanie Reffes
Melanie Reffes is a seasoned travel journalist... Read More
Melanie Reffes is a seasoned travel journalist specializing in the Caribbean. She is often circling the globe in search of a good story or racing through airports trying to make a flight. Melanie is a contributor to USA TODAY Travel and CaribbeanTravel.com, she covers the Caribbean for Montreal's The Suburban newspaper and she is the author of the blog The Caribbean Romance Report on MarryCaribbean.com and a contributor to the travel aviation publication Captain Jetson (captainjetson.com). When she's not taking five the under a palm tree, you'll find her at home on the sunny island of Montreal. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Melanie Reffes
Melanie Reffes is a seasoned travel journalist specializing in the Caribbean. She is often circling the globe in search of a good story or racing through airports trying to make a flight. Melanie is a contributor to USA TODAY Travel and CaribbeanTravel.com, she covers the Caribbean for Montreal's The Suburban newspaper and she is the author of the blog The Caribbean Romance Report on MarryCaribbean.com and a contributor to the travel aviation publication Captain Jetson (captainjetson.com). When she's not taking five the under a palm tree, you'll find her at home on the sunny island of Montreal. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon (aka JetSetSarah) is a... Read More
Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon (aka JetSetSarah) is a travel writer, on-screen host and self-described “Carivangelist,” who goes to the beach and beyond to share the culture, lifestyle and personalities of the Caribbean with the world. Based in Miami, she is a special correspondent for Travel + Leisure magazine and creates content for outlets including Condé Nast Traveler; Afar; Food & Wine; Islands.com; and the U.K.’s Telegraph newspaper. Sarah is also jetsetter-in-chief at JetSetSarah.com where her passions – travel, style and fitness – meet. Follow her adventures on Instagram and Facebook @JetSetSarah.
Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon (aka JetSetSarah) is a travel writer, on-screen host and self-described “Carivangelist,” who goes to the beach and beyond to share the culture, lifestyle and personalities of the Caribbean with the world. Based in Miami, she is a special correspondent for Travel + Leisure magazine and creates content for outlets including Condé Nast Traveler; Afar; Food & Wine; Islands.com; and the U.K.’s Telegraph newspaper. Sarah is also jetsetter-in-chief at JetSetSarah.com where her passions – travel, style and fitness – meet. Follow her adventures on Instagram and Facebook @JetSetSarah.
