16 Best Rum Brands in India
Rum is a strong and coloured alcoholic beverage, which is loved across the world and consumed by billions of people every year. With its origins in Sanskrit texts, rum is the go-to alcoholic beverage for the winter given its warm and sweet flavour profile. The name “rum” is derived from the English word “rumbullion” which loosely translates into a beverage made from boiling sugar cane stalks. Rum has been part of popular culture as early as the 14th Century and has gone on to become the alcoholic drink of choice for winters across the globe.
The best part about rum is that you can get great options and a good quantity of the drink on a budget, which isn’t generally the case with more expensive spirits such as whisky, gin, and wine. In case you are on the lookout for a nice rum to chill on a wintery night with your loved ones, we have curated a list of the best rum brands available in India – including international and Indian brands. But before that…
What is Rum?
As discussed, rum is an alcoholic drink that has its origins in Sanskrit texts. It saw its first cultural reference when the King of Cyprus brought rum as one of the gifts back in 1364. Since then, it has travelled across the globe and is loved by millions of alcohol lovers. Contrary to whisky and certain wines, rum has no standardised composition. However largely, rum is made from sugarcane juice that is matured for a few months or years, with water being the main component. You get dark, flavoured, gold, light, spiced, and brown rums across popular brands.
How to Drink Rum?
Rum is generally consumed with water or carbonated soft drinks, which helps cut the alcohol content and enhances the flavour. This is because of the high alcohol content in most rums. Some of the most legendary rum cocktails include Daiquiri, Mojito, and Pina Colada. You can experiment with these at house parties or when you are chilling at a club or bar. There is no real purist way to drink rum, and you can enjoy it in a number of ways.
What if I don’t drink rum?
If you are a teetotaller, we have something exciting for you. There are several great 100% non-alcoholic drink brands to choose from. They offer a robust flavour and give you a chance to enjoy yourself with your friends without feeling left out.
How Do We Pick the Best Rum Brands In India?
Rum is one of the strongest yet decently complex spirits. It does have various elements including alcohol content, flavour, and price. We have curated a list of the best rum brands that cater to almost every kind of drinker out there. Here you can also check some of the finest gin brands & vodka brands in India.
List of Top 16 Rum Brands in India For 2022
1. Old Monk
Old Monk is synonymous with rum in India. Owned by Mohan Meakin, the Old Monk rum brand sells vatted dark rum that was the highest selling Indian-made liquor for years. It is claimed that Old Monk has a brand value of more than $240 million.
Notable Features
- Old Monk is the go-to rum for Indian consumers, easily recognisable through its vanilla flavour.
- The rum is sold in 90 ml, 180 ml, 375 ml, 500ml, 750 ml, and 1-litre bottles.
- The brand was first started by Colonel Edward Dyer, the man behind the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Country of origin: India
Latest Price (in New Delhi): 750ml at Rs 440
2. Cabo
Probably one of the most popular liquor brands in Goa, Cabo is a unique coconut white rum. The brand manufactures a drink that has white rum and coconut extract. The Cabo rum’s availability is currently restricted to Goa.
Notable Features
- It is essentially the basic version of the Pina Colada cocktail in a bottle.
- Cabo Rum is created at the Adinco Distillery, which has been producing spirits since the 1970s.
- Cabo recommends mixing the rum on crushed ice, with cola and a dash of lime.
Country of origin: India
Latest Price (in New Delhi): 750ml at Rs 2,580
3. Makazai
Makazai is a relatively young rum brand from Goa. It is a completely made-in-India brand of rum with all ingredients sourced and bottling done across states.
Notable Features
- Makazai is available in two variants – Bartender’s Edition (white rum) and Tribute Edition (gold rum).
- You get a light and floral taste profile along with hints of sugarcane.
- The brand recommends pairing the rum with kombucha, ginger ale, or pomegranate juice.
Country of origin: India
Latest Price (in New Delhi): 750ml at N/A
4. Segredo Aldeia
Portuguese for ‘Secret Village’, Segredo Aldeia is one of the only few craft rum brands to come out of India. Born in Goa, the brand aims to bring back to life a rum that was buried in the villages of the past.
Notable Features
- Segredo Aldeia is made by Fullarton Distilleries, a family-run distillery that is known for brands like Woodburns and Pumori.
- The brand sells two variants of rum: White Rum and Cafe Rum.
- While the white rum has notes of caramel and vanilla, the cafe rum smells and tastes like coffee.
Country of origin: India
Latest Price (in New Delhi): 750ml at N/A
Also, check list of some of the top beer brands in India.
5. Amrut
Amrut is one of India’s largest alcohol brands, known majorly for its single malt whiskies. However, Amrut’s rum is also popular among rum enthusiasts in India. In fact, Amrut Two Indies rum has been selling well across the market for the last 9 years.
Notable Features
- Amrut Two Indies is named after the two “indies” famous for rum – West Indies and East Indies (India).
- The rum has unique sugarcane and banana nose notes.
- Apart from being sweet on the palate, it also has a subtle spiciness that gives it a robust flavour.
Country of origin: India
Latest Price (in New Delhi): 750ml at N/A
6. McDowell’s
McDowell’s is one of the biggest brands of whisky in India. However, steadily it has been conquering the Indian rum market too; some reports suggest McDowell’s rum now sells more than even Old Monk!
Notable Features
- McDowell’s Celebration rum has unique sugarcane and banana nose notes.
- It offers a sweet flavour, which suits the Indian palate perfectly.
- In 2013, Celebration rum took over Old Monk to become the top-selling rum brand in the country.
Country of origin: India
Latest Price (in New Delhi): 750ml at Rs 350
7. Hercules
Hercules is a flagship Indian rum from the House of Khoday. The Khoday Hercules XXX Rum has been in the Indian market since the 1970s, with several Monde awards under its belt. The brand has been preferred by the defence forces in India too.
Notable Features
- The rum has been voted as one of the preferred choices among Indian defence forces.
- The palate has notes of malt, oak, and aromatic spices.
- The brand recommends adding Hercules XXX rum to a glass with ice and half the amount of coke.
Country of origin: India
Latest Price (in New Delhi): 750ml at Rs 400
8. Contessa
Known as the “queen of rums”, the Contessa dark rum is a brand owned by Radico Khaitan, one of India’s biggest alcohol manufacturers. The company launched the Contessa brand back in 1981, and it has been one of the biggest rum brands in India ever since.
Notable Features
- Contessa Rum is targeted as a defence rum, focused on catering for the defence forces of India.
- The rum is distilled from fermented sugarcane and is blended at the Rampur distillery.
- Being a defence rum, Contessa has limited availability at public wine shops and more at army canteens.
Country of origin: India
Latest Price (in New Delhi): 750ml at Rs 500
List of the Top International Rum Brands in India
9. Havana Club
One of the oldest brands of rum in the mainstream, Havana Club was established in 1934 in Cuba. Since the Cuban revolution, the brand has been nationalised and then been part of a joint partnership with the Cuban government and Pernod Ricard. At the moment, ownership of the brand is debated.
Notable Features
- Havana Club is the 5th-largest rum brand in the world, with over 4 million case sales.
- It is one of the most common items brought back by US tourists from Cuba.
- The rum is available in 7 years aged, Smoky, 15 years aged, and Limited Edition variants.
Country of origin: Cuba
Latest Price (in New Delhi): 750ml at N/A
10. Bacardi
Bacardi is undoubtedly one of the most well-known brands of rum in the world. It owes its success to the massive advertising associated with the party scene across the globe.
Notable Features
- Bacardi rum is available in dark, white, gold, coconut, and cocktail options.
- The flavoured Bacardi rums are extremely popular among partygoers, with bars stocking several bottles.
- The Bacardi Spiced Rum is one of the bestselling rums – with aged rum, mellow vanilla flavours, nutmeg, and cinnamon spices.
Country of origin: Cuba
Latest Price (in New Delhi): 750ml at Rs 420
11. Captain Morgan
One of the big successes from the West Indies, Captain Morgan is a true Caribbean rum with the perfect sweet and spice mix. This brand is super popular in the Indian market, synonymous with mid-range to premium rums.
Notable Features
- Captain Morgan is inspired by the navy rums of the yesteryears, with flavour depth.
- It is a blend of pot still and continuous still rums from Jamaica, Guyana, and Barbados.
- Aged in oak, the rum has a full-bodied colour and a unique taste.
Country of origin: Jamaica
Latest Price (in New Delhi): 750ml at Rs 400
12. Malibu
Malibu is not a true-and-true rum brand, but rather a coconut liqueur based on Caribbean rum. However, owner Pernod Ricard recognises it as a flavoured rum brand (due to no stringent laws).
Notable Features
- The Malibu rum contains 21% alcohol content, much less than the usual 40% in rums.
- The rum in Malibu is made at the West Indies Distillery in Barbados.
- It comes in several variants including Fresh, Red, Black, and more.
Country of origin: Barbados
Latest Price (in New Delhi): 750ml at Rs 2,000
13. El Dorado
El Dorado is one of the popular Demerara rum brands produced in the country of Guyana. Recognised across the world, El Dorado has rum variants aged up to 21 years!
Notable Features
- El Dorado was set up in 1992 and is one of the top picks for Caribbean rum in the world.
- The 15-year-old variant is one of the flagship products from the brand, known for its flavour profile.
- The rum comes in several variants including gold, white, port, Mourant, and aged.
Country of origin: Guyana
Latest Price (in New Delhi): 750ml at N/A
14. Zacapa
Zacapa is a Solera rum brand that offers spirits aged 6-23 years. The brand focuses on using ex-bourbon and wine casks to enhance the taste profile of its rum offerings.
Notable Features
- Zacapa is a premium rum brand that has a plethora of rums mixed to offer the most unique flavour.
- The rums are aged in ex-Bourbon, sherry, and Pedro Ximinez wine casks to offer something interesting.
- According to the brand, the flagship Zacapa No 23 rum is best served neat or in your favourite cocktail.
Country of origin: Guatemala
Latest Price (in New Delhi): 750ml at N/A
15. Appleton
Rum distillation at the Appleton Estate began back in 1749 and hasn’t stopped producing a flavourful Jamaican rum ever since. The distillery’s location makes for clear azure water that acts as the base of the brand’s rums.
Notable Features
- Appleton rum is made in Nassau Valley, known for uniquely filtering the water used in the bottling.
- It is one of the only few rums in the world with a terroir (natural climate) suited to it.
- The brand is deeply rooted in Jamaican history with an emblem and flavour that reflects that.
Country of origin: Jamaica
Latest Price (in New Delhi): 750ml at N/A
16. Barcelo
Barcelo is a one-of-its-kind rum brand from the nation of the Dominican Republic. The distillery was started in 1929 and has been producing one of the most popularly known rum brands across the globe.
Notable Features
- The rum brand was launched after experimenting with different brands available locally.
- This is the most awarded Dominican rum, internationally.
- The distiller still only produces the one variant of rum – Ron Barcelo.
Country of origin: Dominican Republic
Latest Price (in New Delhi): 750ml at Rs 2,500
Best Rum Brands in India With Price List
| Best Rum Brands | Price (750ml)* (New Delhi) |
|---|---|
| Old Monk | Starting at Rs 440 |
| Cabo | Starting at Rs 2,580 |
| Makazai | N/A |
| Segredo Aldeia | N/A |
| Amrut | N/A |
| McDowell’s | Starting at Rs 350 |
| Hercules | Starting at Rs 400 |
| Contessa | Starting at Rs 500 |
| Havana Club | N/A |
| Bacardi | Starting at Rs 420 |
| Captain Morgan | Starting at Rs 400 |
| Malibu | Starting at Rs 2,000 |
| El Dorado | N/A |
| Zacapa | N/A |
| Appleton | N/A |
| Barcelo | Starting at Rs 2,500 |
*Prices are subject to change
Final Word
Rum is one of the oldest and most enjoyed alcoholic beverages in the world, especially in cold weather. With several varieties and price ranges, we have curated a list of the absolute best rum brands in India. While Old Monk, Havana Club, and Amrut Two Indies are our absolute party favourites, you can go through the list and take your pick depending on the budget, type of rum, and taste profile mentioned.
FAQs
Which brand of rum is good for health?
There is no specific rum brand that is good for health. Rum, and all alcoholic beverages, are harmful to health when taken in excess.
What are the disadvantages of rum?
There are no particular disadvantages of drinking rum, provided you consume it in moderation. However, it can be harmful to your liver, kidneys, and heart health if consumed in high amounts.
Can we drink rum with hot water?
Yes, in fact, rum with hot water is a popular alcoholic drink enjoyed by millions of Indians during the winter season.
What is the full form of rum?
There is no full form of rum, the spirit. The name “rum” is derived from the English word “rumbullion” which loosely translates into a beverage made from boiling sugar cane stalks.
Is rum good for sleep?
Rum, like other spirits, calms down the nervous system and relaxes your muscles, when consumed in moderation. However, overconsumption can lead to increased heart rate, blood pressure, and end up spoiling your REM sleep.
Is rum sugar-free?
Rum is made from sugarcane juice, which means that the base ingredient of this spirit is sugar.
How many types of rum are there?
There are several types of rum that are sold by brands across the world. These include:
- Dark rum
- Spiced rum
- Flavoured rum
- Light rum
- White rum
- Aged rum
- French Caribbean rum
- Gold rum
- Navy rum
- Vintage rum
and more..
Can diabetics drink rum?
Diabetics should avoid rum, and all kinds of alcoholic spirits, due to their sugar and alcohol content in them. Alcohol consumption can cause a spike in blood sugar levels in the body.
