2 days ago
Top Rums Crowned At The 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Three rum cocktails on the rocks.
The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is one of the world's most important judgings of rum. Several hundred rum entries were evaluated at the 2025 SFWSC, and 18 of those rums, all Double Gold winners, are in the final round, contending for the best rum expression in their respective category and the crowning achievement of World's Best Rum.
Below is a summary of the finalists in each of the major rum categories. The winners will be announced at the Top Shelf 2025 Awards Gala, a highly anticipated event in the beverage industry, on November 9 at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco.
The Unaged/White Rum finalists from the 2025 SFWSC
Burdekin Rum, Distillers Edition - Coral Sea Strength Rum, is crafted in Queensland, Australia. It's bottled at 54.5% ABV. 700 ml.
Oak House, Silver Rum is crafted in Georgia, USA. It is bottled at 40% ABV. 750 ml
Cotton & Reed, White Rum, is crafted in Washington, D.C., USA. It is bottled at 40% ABV.
Ten To One, White Rum, Dominican Republic. It is bottled at 45% ABV. 750 ml.
Planteray Rum, 3 Stars' Rum is crafted in St. Michael, Barbados. It is bottled at 40% ABV.
For backgrounds and detailed tasting notes on the 2025 SFWSC Unaged Rum finalists, see The World's Best White Rums, According to the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
The Aged Rum Finalists from the 2025 SFWSC
Worthy Park, Select Rum is crafted in St. Catherine, Jamaica. It is bottled at 40% ABV.
Worthy Park, 109 Rum is crafted in St. Catherine, Jamaica. It is bottled at 54.5% ABV.
Diplomático, Planas Rum is crafted in Lara, Venezuela. It is bottled at 47% ABV.
Kaniché Rum, Fiji Islands' Rum, is produced in Fiji. It is bottled at 40% ABV.
Planteray Rum, Xaymaca Special Dry Rum is crafted in Jamaica. It is bottled at 43% ABV.
For backgrounds and detailed tasting notes on the 2025 SFWSC Unaged Rum finalists, see The World's Best Aged Rum, According To The San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
The Ultra Aged Rum Finalists from the 2025 SFWSC
CARTAVIO, XO Rum is crafted in LA LIBERTAD, Peru. It is bottled at 40% ABV.
Zacapa, No. 23 Rum is crafted in Guatemala. It is bottled at 40% ABV.
Ten To One, Five Origin Select Rum is a blend of rums sourced from Guyana, Trinidad, Dominican Republic, and Barbados. It is bottled at 46% ABV.
Planteray Rum, XO 20th Anniversary Rum, is crafted in St. Michael, Barbados. It is bottled at 40% ABV.
Ron del Barrilito, 3 Stars Rum, is produced in Puerto Rico. It is bottled at 43% ABV.
For backgrounds and detailed tasting notes on the 2025 SFWSC Unaged Rum finalists, see The World's Best Ultra Aged Rum, According To The San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Worthy Park Overproof Rum is crafted in St. Catherine, Jamaica. It is bottled at 63% ABV.
Cap & Cane Spirits, Overproof Rum is crafted in North Carolina, USA. It is bottled at 63% ABV.
Planteray Rum, OFTD Rum (Old Fashioned Traditional Rum) is produced in Barbados. It is bottled at 69% ABV.
For backgrounds and detailed tasting notes on the 2025 SFWSC Unaged Rum finalists, see The World's Best Ultra Aged Rum, According To The San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
There are thousands of rums produced in over 100 countries worldwide. These top rums from the 2025 SFWSC are among the world's best, worth contenders for the accolade of World's Best Rum. They include legacy producers whose pedigree extends back centuries, as well as new, up-and-coming craft producers. All of them are outstanding. If you love rum, whether it's in a rum cocktail or straight up, these rums are all worth exploring. You might find one or two worth adding to your home bar!
