Step into a world of refined flavours, distinctive aromas and a touch of timeless elegance. In this blog, we take a look at the brands that were our bestsellers in 2026.
2026 has brought us a wonderful selection of divine spirits. As usual, Planteray has performed exceptionally well again this year: its high quality, combined with a vast array of different expressions, means there’s a rum to suit everyone within this brand. Dictador also remains a firm favourite, although the notable absentee is the experimental Game Changer. Flor de Cana remains a mainstay, and brands such as Hampden and Velier need no introduction. A notable newcomer in this top list is Takamaka, which also made a strong impression in the Brands Report earlier this year: this looks set to be a rum worth keeping an eye on.
Planteray (Plantation)
Planteray, formerly known as Plantation Rum, is a brand owned by the French company Maison Ferrand. Under the leadership of Alexandre Gabriel, it has grown to become one of the best-known names in the world of rum. The brand works with rum from various countries and combines traditional production methods with its own vision of ageing and blending. A distinctive feature is the so-called double ageing process, whereby many expressions undergo further ageing in French oak casks after their time in tropical conditions.
The Planteray Barbados XO remains one of the best-known expressions, with a rounded character in which vanilla, coconut and subtle woody notes come together. Cut & Dry emphasises coconut, whilst Sealander combines rums from Barbados, Mauritius and Fiji. The richer PXXO gains extra complexity from its finish in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.
There is also a choice for lovers of stronger rum, including OFTD and Planteray Navy Rum. The vintage and single cask bottlings from Panama, Peru, Paraguay and Trinidad, amongst others, demonstrate just how different rum can taste depending on its origin and cask maturation.
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Dictador
Dictador originates from Cartagena, on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. The brand’s history is linked to the Colombian rum tradition and the Destilería Colombiana distillery. Dictador is best known for its full-bodied, approachable style, in which notes of coffee, chocolate, caramel and oak regularly feature.
A key characteristic of Dictador is the use of distillates made from sugarcane honey, a concentrated product of sugarcane juice. Maturation in oak casks then adds extra roundness and complexity.
The Dictador 10 Years is an accessible starting point, with a pleasant combination of vanilla, caramel, fruit and gentle spices. The Dictador 20 Years offers a richer experience, with greater emphasis on toasted wood, coffee, chocolate and dried fruit.
With Dictador Colombiana, the brand presents a different interpretation of its recognisable house style. Together, these expressions offer an interesting introduction to Colombian rum, particularly for those who enjoy rounded, aromatic spirits with a distinct influence of wood and ageing.
Flor de Caña
Flor de Caña is one of Central America’s best-known rum producers. The family-run business was founded in 1890 and is based in Nicaragua, near the San Cristóbal volcano. The distillery is renowned for its long history, commitment to sustainability and a relatively dry, elegant rum style.
The rum is produced from molasses and aged in oak casks. Flor de Caña emphasises natural ageing and a balanced flavour profile, without the pronounced sweetness that characterises some other Latin American rum brands.
The Flor de Caña 12 Years offers an accessible blend of vanilla, toasted nuts, caramel and wood. The 14 Years builds on this with a richer and more complex character, whilst the 18 Years places greater emphasis on ripe woody notes, cocoa and dried fruit.
With Eco Terra, Flor de Caña also underlines its commitment to sustainable production. This expression is an interesting addition to the classic range and demonstrates that tradition and environmentally conscious business practices can go hand in hand within the world of rum.
New Grove
New Grove originates from Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean with a long history of sugar cane cultivation. The brand is produced by Grays, a family-run business whose roots date back to the nineteenth century. The rum is made from molasses and is known for its aromatic, fruity character, often complemented by spicy notes and distinct oaky influences.
The New Grove 5 Years offers an accessible introduction to the brand’s signature style, whilst the 10 Years, thanks to its longer maturation, develops greater depth, with notes of dried fruit, vanilla and oak. With Beau Plan and special bottlings such as the 8 Years Whisky Finish Vercors, the brand also showcases its experimental side.
Within the same family, we also find Lazy Dodo, named after the now-extinct bird that symbolises Mauritius. The classic Lazy Dodo is a smooth, aromatic rum, whilst the VSOP and XO Chronicles offer a richer interpretation.
Together, New Grove and Lazy Dodo demonstrate the versatility of Mauritian rum, ranging from accessible blends to more complex, longer-aged expressions.
Malecon
Malecon is a rum brand from Panama that draws heavily on the Cuban rum tradition. This influence is evident in the production method and the relatively elegant style of the distillates. The rum is made from molasses and is usually distilled using column distillation, after which prolonged ageing in oak casks adds extra character.
The range offers a particularly wide selection of age statements. The Malecon 12 Years Reserva Superior is an accessible starting point, with notes of vanilla, caramel and gentle spices. The 15 Years and 18 Years develop a richer character, in which dried fruit and woody notes come to the fore more strongly.
For lovers of longer-aged rum, there are the 21 Years and 25 Years Reserva Imperial, with a more complex profile and a more pronounced influence from the cask.
In addition, the Rare Proof range deserves special attention. Bottlings such as the 13 Years, 17 Years and 20 Years are released at a higher alcohol by volume and therefore offer a more intense experience, with greater emphasis on structure, spiciness and concentration.
Takamaka
Takamaka originates from the Seychelles, the archipelago in the Indian Ocean best known for its tropical beaches and stunning natural beauty. The brand was founded in 2002 by brothers Richard and Bernard d’Offay, who set up their own rum production on the main island of Mahé. Today, Takamaka is produced at the Trois Frères Distillery, where both molasses and fresh sugarcane juice are used.
The range varies from approachable, spicy rum to more complex blends and experimental bottlings. The Takamaka Zepis Kreol is a fine example of local inspiration, with a distinctly spicy character. The Kreol Cask Reserve Dark combines that spicy style with additional oak influences, whilst the White Over Proof stands out particularly for its strength and intensity.
With the Pti Lakaz and Grankaz, Takamaka explores a more complex side of rum. These expressions combine different distillates and ageing methods, with rum from outside the Seychelles also playing a part. They illustrate how the brand brings together traditional Caribbean influences with its own contemporary interpretation of rum production.
A1710
A1710 is a relatively new rum producer on the French Caribbean island of Martinique. The distillery is situated on the historic Habitation du Simon estate and stands out for its small-scale approach, long fermentation periods and unique distillation equipment. The name A1710 refers to the year 1710, an important historical landmark for the estate.
Unlike rum made from molasses, A1710 works primarily with freshly pressed sugarcane juice. As a result, the character of the sugarcane takes centre stage, with fresh, floral, fruity and sometimes distinctly vegetal aromas.
La Perle forms the basis of the range and demonstrates just how expressive white rum can be. Variants such as La Perle Rare Roseau, Rare Rouge and La Perle Fine emphasise different sugarcane varieties and production choices. The robust La Perle Brute is aimed at connoisseurs of a more intense style.
Bête à Feu and Diamond Rock also each offer their own interpretation of white rum made from sugarcane juice. With Renaissance, which undergoes brief contact with oak after distillation, A1710 further demonstrates how subtle oaky notes can add extra complexity without overpowering the fresh sugarcane character.
Renegade
Renegade is a unique rum distillery on the Caribbean island of Grenada, founded by Mark Reynier, who previously made a name for himself in the whisky world at Bruichladdich. His ambition was to produce rum with the same attention to provenance and terroir that we recognise from the world of wine and certain artisanal whisky producers.
At Renegade, it all begins in the sugarcane field. Different varieties of sugarcane are grown on separate plots, after which the freshly pressed juice is fermented and distilled. By meticulously documenting the origin of the sugarcane and the distillation method used, Renegade aims to demonstrate the extent to which soil, climate and production choices influence the final flavour.
This makes the Pre-Cask bottlings particularly interesting. Expressions such as Dunfermline Pot and Dunfermline Column allow for a comparison of distillates from the same origin but produced in different stills. Old Bacolet, New Bacolet, Pearls, Hope and Lake Antoine also represent distinct terroirs.
With the Études and Single Farm Cuvée ranges, Renegade takes it a step further. These are rums for enthusiasts who not only want to taste them, but also want to understand exactly where the differences in flavour come from.
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Velier
Velier is not a traditional rum distillery, but an independent Italian bottler and distributor that has played a particularly important role in the development of the contemporary rum world. Under the leadership of Luca Gargano, Velier has become a benchmark for lovers of authentic rum, with a particular focus on provenance, traditional production methods and transparency.
One of its best-known projects is Habitation Velier, a range of bottlings that emphasises the character of individual distilleries and distillation methods. The range includes, amongst others, Renegade Old Bacolet, Providence White from Haiti and Mhoba Select White from South Africa.
In addition, Velier has made a significant contribution to the international recognition of Clairin, a traditional Haitian sugarcane spirit. Bottlings such as Clairin Sajous, Vaval, Le Rocher and Sonson demonstrate just how diverse this local production style can be. The differences in sugar cane, fermentation and distillation result in particularly expressive aromas.
Clairin Communal brings together various distillates in a single blend. This makes Velier particularly appealing to those seeking rum with a distinct identity, where the character of the producer takes centre stage.
Honourable mentions
Alongside the brands that dominate our 2026 top picks, there are plenty of other rum producers and special bottlings that deserve a mention. They represent a wide range of styles, from powerful Jamaican rum to elegant, long-aged expressions from Central America and the Caribbean.
For lovers of a distinctively Jamaican character, Smith & Cross Navy Strength and Hampden 8 Years are particularly interesting choices. Both are renowned for their intense, fruity and funky aromas, which stem from Jamaica’s traditional fermentation and distillation methods.
Black Tot, on the other hand, brings together different rum styles in a blend inspired by the historic tradition of British naval rum. Those who prefer a rounder style might turn to Centenario 25 Years from Costa Rica or English Harbour 10 Years from Antigua, where extended cask ageing plays a key role.
Veritas, a collaboration between Foursquare and Hampden, offers a white rum that is particularly well-suited to exploring the differences between Barbados and Jamaica. Maman Brigitte from the Belgian independent bottler Asta Morris also deserves attention, with its distinctive interpretation of Caribbean rum.
Marketing • IT • Klantenservice
I've known Broekmans since I graduated in 2006 and thanks to Jan I've come to know the passion for spirits. I dedicate myself every day to the webshop, customer service and all the IT involved. In my spare time, besides whiskey, I can also really enjoy rum, but just as much as a gin tonic or a simple bellini. In the words of Martien Meiland, if there's no alcohol in it, don't call me!
