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Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
The World's Best Rum, According To America's Top Bartenders
Dark and Stormy Rum Cocktail with Lime and Ginger Beer A Caribbean rum from St. Kitts and Nevis was chosen as the World's Best Rum by America's leading bartenders at the 2025 Bartender Spirits Awards. Below is a brief description and tasting notes for this top-rated rum. Old Road Rum is a distinguished ultra-premium rum brand from the twin-island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis in the Eastern Caribbean. Reviving a legacy that spans more than two centuries, Old Road Rum is named after the town of Old Road, the location of the first English colony in the Caribbean, established in 1623. The brand is deeply connected to the sugar heritage of St. Kitts and the artisanal rum-making traditions that once thrived across the island. St. Kitts, historically known as the 'Mother Colony of the West Indies,' was one of the earliest and most prolific sugar-producing islands in the British West Indies. The island's rich volcanic soils, year-round tropical climate, and rugged mountainous terrain made it ideal for sugar cane cultivation. By the 18th century, sugarcane plantations had covered the island, and rum distillation had become a natural byproduct of the molasses produced during sugar refining. Although sugar production ceased on St. Kitts in 2005, its rum history lives on in the thriving craft distilling community. Old Road Rum draws inspiration from this storied past while ushering in a modern renaissance of rum craftsmanship. The rum is bottled by the Old Road Rum Company, founded by Jack Widdowson. The company produces its rum in Barbados, rumored to be at Foursquare Distillery. It may also source and blend in premium aged rums from various other Caribbean distilleries. The rum is then further matured and bottled on the island. The Old Road Rum Limited Edition was released in 2022. It quickly garnered acclaim for its complexity, balance, and elegance, winning several industry awards. The rum is approximately 12 years old. It's a blend of pot and column-distilled spirits matured in ex-bourbon barrels of American oak. The abandoned Wingfield Estate Sugar Plantation in St. Kitts in the Caribbean, once housed the island's largest distillery. Old Road Rum, Limited Edition has a deep amber-gold hue with hints of burnt orange and mahogany, underscoring its prolonged aging in oak casks. The rum is complex, aromatic, and slightly floral on the nose, featuring pronounced notes of molasses, caramel, toffee, burnt sugar, and ripe tropical fruits—namely banana, guava, and dried pineapple — accompanied by baking spice aromas of nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon, as well as floral notes of hibiscus and orange blossom. There are also faint rancio notes of old leather, tobacco leaf, and wood polish, along with a subtle, funky ester undertone—echoing Jamaican high-ester rum. The rum is creamy and robust on the palate with a mouth-coating texture and weight. It showcases caramel, vanilla, burnt sugar, and brown butter, followed by fruity notes of dried figs, dates, and stewed plums, as well as orange zest and almond. Spice notes of cinnamon, clove, and black pepper complement herbal notes of pipe tobacco and black tea, adding to the nuanced complexity. The finish is long, sweet, and layered, with lingering notes of molasses, caramel, cedarwood, wood spices, dried fruit, and a faint hint of smoke. The International Bartender Spirits Awards is a renowned global competition that showcases the world's best spirits. Selection is based on quality, innovation, value, and craftsmanship. Judged by an expert panel of bartenders and industry professionals, the competition is highly regarded in the spirits industry and serves as a benchmark for quality. Old Road Rum is a tribute to St. Kitts' rich sugar and rum history, while underscoring the growing role of artisanal, ultra-premium Caribbean rums. Whether sipped neat, paired with dark chocolate, or paired with a Caribbean cuisine-inspired dinner. Old Road Rum Limited Edition is a masterclass in balance, depth, and complexity. If you love rum, this is one expression not to be missed.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The World's Best Tequila, According To America's Top Bartenders
Assorted Tequila shots with lime and salt and with orange and cinnamon. getty A Tequila and a mezcal were selected as the top spirits in their respective categories at the 2025 Bartender Spirits Awards. Below is a brief description and tasting notes for the two agave spirits. Don Nacho Tributo Reposado Tequila is crafted by the Hernandez Gutierrez family in Jalisco's Los Altos region, paying homage to the rich traditions of Jalisco's Highlands. The Tequila undergoes a traditional production process that includes slow-cooking the agave in stone ovens, roller mill extraction, and fermentation in stainless steel tanks without fibers. The spirit is then double-distilled in stainless steel pot stills and aged for 10 months in new American white oak barrels, developing a harmonious balance of agave character and oak influence. The Tequila presents a bright straw-yellow hue with golden highlights, reflecting its extended maturation in oak barrels. On the nose, it exhibits fresh and baked agave notes, while subtle hints of vanilla, maple syrup, citrus zest, and a hint of anise/licorice add complexity. On the palate, the Tequila is robust and aromatic. It reflects an agave and oak-forward profile, showcasing seasoned wood, spice notes of pepper and cinnamon, and a subtle caramel sweetness. The finish is long, slightly sweet, and smooth, with lingering notes of cooked agave, wood spices, and caramel. Don Nacho Tributo Reposado is a testament to the heritage and craftsmanship of Jalisco's Tequila producers. Its balanced profile, marked by the interplay of agave and oak, offers a refined tasting experience that appeals to both connoisseurs and beginners. Mezcal with chili pepper and slice of orange. A typical Mexican alcoholic beverage, it's made from many different types of agave. getty 400 Conejos Espadín Joven Mezcal is a widely available mezcal expression, crafted in the town of Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca, the heart of mezcal production. The mezcal is made from 100% Espadín agave from Oaxaca, Mexico. José Cuervo owns the brand. As Mezcal has grown in popularity, its production has increasingly bifurcated between large, industrial-sized producers utilizing Espadin agave, and artisanal producers using a mix of traditional wild and domesticated agaves. The production process involves roasting the agave hearts in traditional underground pits, followed by crushing with a stone wheel 'tahona,' fermentation in wooden vats, and double distillation in copper pot stills. The result is a joven or unaged mezcal that reflects the essence of Oaxaca's mezcal terroir. The mezcal is crystal-clear with silver nuances, showcasing its unaged nature. The nose features aromas of wood smoke and light char, accompanied by subtle hints of ripe fruit and herbal/herbaceous notes. Sweet cooked agave is featured prominently on the palate along with herbaceous and fruity notes, and a persistent cold smoke. The finish is long and smooth, with a subtle yet persistent smokiness and lingering fruity and herbaceous notes. 400 Conejos Espadín Joven Mezcal offers an authentic taste of Oaxaca's mezcal heritage at a reasonable price point. Its balanced, complex flavor profile and smooth finish make it suitable for both sipping and mixing, regardless of whether you're new to mezcal or a seasoned enthusiast. The International Bartender Spirits Awards is a renowned global competition that showcases the world's best spirits. Selection is based on quality, innovation, value, and craftsmanship. Judged by an expert panel of bartenders and industry professionals, the competition is highly regarded in the spirits industry and serves as a benchmark for quality. These two spirits are both readily accessible and reasonably priced. More importantly, according to some of America's top bartenders, they are also among the world's best Tequila and Mezcal. Both are worth trying and, if you like them, adding them to your bar!
