Sipping Rum reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 367 Reddit reviews across 6 subreddits and 49 posts to rank the best Sipping Rum brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/rum, r/Tiki, r/Belize, r/ketodrunk, r/Syracuse. Top-rated brands include Appleton 12 (4.4/5), El Dorado (4.6/5), Appleton (4.4/5).
Stats
Reviews367
Subreddits6
Posts49
Brands84
Products20
367 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Appleton 12
4.4
(19)
"Appleton 12yrs"
"I’d go Appleton 12 with real McCoy 12 being the runner up."
"Appleton 12($42) is my fav but am currently have a Doorlys 12($27) which is making me a believer."
"Appleton 12 would be my suggestion for round 3."
"I'll throw a vote for the Appleton 12!"
"My favorite it black tot in pic 4, followed by el dorado 15 and then Appleton 12."
"Appleton 12 or El Dorado 15 would be my picks."
"If you’re near the Canada-Michigan border, a liter of Appleton 12 is only $16! Great on the rocks."
"Appleton 12 maybe? Doorlys 12 for sure."
"Appleton 12 used to be my best VFM rum, but they've increased the price a lot recen"
#2
El Dorado
4.6
(18)
"El dorado 12."
"El dorado 15."
"Otherwise Appleton 12 or El Dorado 12."
"El dorado 12, flor de Cana 12, Bacardi 10, goslings family reserve."
"El dorado 15 AND Hampden 8 would give you some variety."
"Is my favorite so far."
"Is good."
"Neat is divine!"
"El Dorado 15 is still pretty sweet imo."
"Appleton, Foursquare, Mt gay, black tot, El Dorado all good options."
#3
Appleton
4.4
(18)
"Otherwise Appleton 12 or El Dorado 12."
"Some good starting points are Appleton 12, El Dorado 12 or 15."
"I'd go Appleton or Real McCoy."
"Is good."
"Great sippers."
"Look for Appleton 12."
"Appleton, Foursquare, Mt gay, black tot, El Dorado all good options."
"Appleton is good."
"Appleton will be the biggest name brand you will likely see"
"I'd say the oldest Appleton that fits your budget."
#4
Foursquare
4.5
(15)
"I would strongly recommend the Real McCoy or Foursquare, which are both made by Foursquare. Excellent sipping rums."
"Foursquare, appleton 12, and the Izalco cask strength is also a better one of the spanish styles eventually!"
"If you can get anything by Foursquare try that."
"Another vote for Foursquare. Sovereignty, if you can find it."
"I’ve purchased three bottles of four square, ranging from $70-$140 a pop. They’re all fantastic."
"If you are looking for a good unadulterated rum, look for some of Foursquare's bottles."
"Almost any foursquare exceptional cask series is the one only correct answer here."
"The Foursquare exceptional cask series are a great buy, I would probably go with the 2007."
"Anything foursquare."
"Appleton, Foursquare, Mt gay, black tot, El Dorado all good options."
#5
Doorly's
4.5
(14)
"Doorlys xo."
"Doorly's XO is like $27. It's a great rum aged in a Sherry cask."
"I would suggest Doorlys 12."
"I’d probably go with a doorlys 12 and an Appleton 12."
"I can sip both."
"Seek out Doorly's 12 or RL Seale 10."
"I would recommend Doorly's XO / 12 / 14."
"Doorly’s XO or age stated, if you have access to Total Wine."
"Under/around $30: Doorly's 12 or XO; RL Seale's 10 yr; Cockspur VSOR/12; Appleton Estate 12."
"2nd the Doorlys 12 and Real Mccoy 12 as <$30 and $50 dollar expressions for bourbon fans."
#6
El Dorado 12
4.0
(15)
"I love the el dorado 12 but you said it was a little too oaky for you."
"El Dorado 12."
"El dorado > Doorlys."
"El dorado 12. That rum is quite good as a sipping rum."
"Eldorado 12."
"El Dorado 12."
"Doorlys 12, Havana Club 7, El Dorado 12 and Appleton 15 are staples for me."
"El Dorado 12"
"Doorly’s XO and El Dorado 12."
"Appleton or El Dorado 12 is an easy start."
#7
Doorly's 12
4.2
(14)
"Doorly’s 12 year is a personal favorite."
"Doorly’s 12 is my every day sipper that is good for casuals and aficionados alike."
"Doorly’s 12 is my every day sipper that is good for casuals and aficionados alike."
"Doorlys 12, Havana Club 7, El Dorado 12 and Appleton 15 are staples for me."
"Doorlys 12"
"Doorlys 12 year is an inexpensive rum from Barbados that punches above its weight class and was pretty much designed for this purpose."
"My first two were Appleton 8 and Doorly's 12 and they're wonderful, so I'd recommend either of those."
"I sure am loving Doorly’s 14 atm, super tasty."
"Doorlys 12 and Barbancourt 5 are excellent rums for the price."
"Doorlys 12 does the job for me."
#8
Mount Gay XO
4.6
(11)
"After that, move to the Real McCoy or Mount Gay XO."
"I like the Mount Gay XO quite a lot."
"Mount Gay XO is my go to."
"Yes!! to Mount Gay XO."
"Mount Gay XO, and Mount Gay Black Barrel are solid. No sugar added to them if that matters."
"Mount Gay XO is where I'd start for a sipper."
"Mount Gay XO."
"I am biased towards Mount Gay, so, MGXO."
"I'd sub a Mount Gay XO in for the R.L. Seale's any foursquare stuff is so expensive here."
"Safe and relatively widely available bets are mount gay XO"
#9
El Dorado 15
4.8
(10)
"My favorite 3 are Mocombo 20, Flor de Cana 18, El Dorado 15."
"El Dorado 15 at that price for sure"
"El Dorado 15 is your clear best choice."
"Among those, I would say El Dorado 15 Year or Appleton Estate 12 year"
"My favorite it black tot in pic 4, followed by el dorado 15 and then Appleton 12."
"Appleton 12 or El Dorado 15 would be my picks."
"El dorado 15 for easy drinking for casual drinkers."
"I really enjoy El Dorado 15 as a sipper. Great full flavor Demerara rum."
"El Dorado 15."
"El Dorado 15 is nice, spicy, smooth, balanced."
#10
Black Tot
4.7
(9)
"Black Tot isn’t easy to find so if your not on a budget snag it"
"Black tot by far"
"My favorite it black tot in pic 4, followed by el dorado 15 and then Appleton 12."
"Black Tot"
"My favourites right now would probably be Black Tot (but it is very expensive) and Smith & Cross."
"Some of my favorite sippers."
"Black tot."
"Appleton, Foursquare, Mt gay, black tot, El Dorado all good options."
"Black Tot. It’s great for someone newish to rum as well."
#11
Hampden
4.3
(9)
"Hampden is one of my favs along with Worthy Park"
"Hampden"
"Look for."
"Really into rums? A nice Jamaican like hampden shouldn't be too hard to find."
"If you're a fan of heavily peated and intense malts then go for a hampden that fits in your comfortable proof and price range."
"Hampden, Worthy Park, Clarendon/Monymusk, and Long Pond are all other reputable distilleries with long history of producing quality products."
"Hampden if you can! If not then Appleton"
"I would say any Hampden / Velier / Foursquare."
"Hampden might be a bit overpowering for someone just starting out."
#12
Mount Gay
4.6
(8)
"The mount gay and Appleton are both great choices as well."
"Is my favorite sipper."
"Great sippers."
"Is the best entry level rum."
"Mount Gay XO."
"Appleton, Foursquare, Mt gay, black tot, El Dorado all good options."
"Barbados: Mount Gay XO/Foursquare 2007."
"As far as no sugar added goes."
#13
Doorly's XO
4.0
(9)
"Got my hands on the Doorlys XO rum and can agree that its a really good sipping rum."
"If you like sweeter rums but want to try something without additives, try something like Doorly's XO."
"Doorly's and Don Q all the way to the XO."
"Doorly’s XO is like $20 from Total Wine."
"Try Appleton 8, Doorlys XO or 12, El Dorado 8, and Plantation Xaymaca first"
"Doorly’s XO and El Dorado 12."
"Doorly's XO. Hands down."
"Doorlys 12, Doorlys XO, Barbancourt 5 star, RL Seale 10, Appleton 12."
"Doorly's XO is a great choice on a budget, less sweet than other rums I tried."
#14
Ron Zacapa
4.9
(7)
"Love me some Ron Zacapa!"
"My current rotation"
"Is excellent."
"Is my favorite sipper."
"Are good desert sippers."
"Ron Zacapa is a great sipping rum."
"Ron Zacapa is a great starting point."
#15
Diplomatico
4.3
(7)
"Is a great sipper."
"Is delicious."
"Diplomatico did it for me. Readily available, not too pricey, not too sweet but definitely richer than your average mixer rum."
"If he's casually into rums (i.e. he mostly drinks spiced rums), diplomatico"
"Diplomatico."
"Diplomatico is another very approachable first time rum."
"Diplomatico, Ron Zacapa 23 or Angostura 1824 would be a good start."
#16
Smith & Cross
4.0
(7)
"+1 for Smith and Cross. Affordable, interesting, and strong"
"That smith and cross is also a real good option you may want to try"
"They regularly carry Smith & Cross, which is excellent and mixes well."
"I like Smith & Cross a lot."
"Your shelf still looks empty without Smith & Cross."
"I love Smith and Cross, but that's probably not the best place for OP to start."
"My personal go-to Smith & Cross."
#17
Ron del Barrilito 3 Star
4.5
(6)
"Ron del Barrilito 3 Stars!"
"Ron Del Barrilito 3 Star"
"I always recommend Ron Del Barrilito 3 Star. Puerto Rican rum aged I believe 6-8 years."
"Ron del barrelito 3 star is one of my favorites that is very affordable"
"Try a good rum that really tastes like rum. Maybe Ron del Barrilito (3 stars) (from Puerto Rico)."
#18
Hampden 8
4.3
(6)
"Hampden 8 Year or any of the offerings including the overproof, Rum Fire, Monymusk, and Worthy Park offerings have a nice bit of funk to them."
"Hampden 8 years old"
"For $50-ish bucks? I’d go straight for Hampden 8."
"Hampden 8 year is a nice intro to Hampden, which lands on the dirtier side of funk"
"It looks like a bottle of Hampden 8 (if I can find it duty free) and Appleton 12 or 15 would be good places to start."
"Or Hampden 8 year if you've experienced Jamaican funk before and like it."
#19
Real McCoy
4.8
(5)
"After that, move to the Real McCoy or Mount Gay XO."
"I would strongly recommend the Real McCoy or Foursquare, which are both made by Foursquare. Excellent sipping rums."
"I'd go Appleton or Real McCoy."
"Real McCoy is Foursquare so try that before the 2010."
"Real McCoy"
#20
Appleton Estate 12
4.4
(5)
"Among those, I would say El Dorado 15 Year or Appleton Estate 12 year"
"Appleton Estate 12 is also great. Both can be found for under $30."
"Second Appleton estate 12"
"Appleton Estate 12 is pretty reasonable in my opinion."
"Appleton Estate 12."
#21
Appleton 8
4.2
(5)
"My first two were Appleton 8 and Doorly's 12 and they're wonderful, so I'd recommend either of those."
"Appleton 8 year, black tot, el dorado 12 year."
"Try Appleton 8, Doorlys XO or 12, El Dorado 8, and Plantation Xaymaca first"
"Appleton 8 also agree with Worthy Park"
"Appleton 8 covers a lot ground. Good mixer and I like it neat."
#22
Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva
5.0
(4)
"If they have a sweet tooth, can’t go wrong with Diplomatico."
"Phenomenal Venezuelan rum."
"Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva - should be reasonably priced, and is just absolutely delicious as a sipper."
"Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva is the answer :) "
#23
Smith and Cross
4.5
(4)
"Call me weird, but I like smith and cross. It’s so tasty."
"Pusser gunpowder proof, Smith and cross."
"Smith and cross!!!"
#24
Foursquare 2010
4.5
(4)
"That Foursquare 2010 is pretty darn good too."
"A Bottle of Foursquare 2010 should run about $100 plus or minus 10 bucks. It should be fairly available, I frequently see it at the big box liquor stores."
"The Foursquare 2010 is great too, but if you're new, then it's probably not worth it."
"That's a pretty decent price for the Foursquare 2010"
#25
Appleton 12 & 15
4.3
(4)
"I'd recommend el dorado 12&15 and Appleton 12&15."
"If you like more delicate speyside or highland styles then i think appleton 12 or 15 would be ideal for you"
"It looks like a bottle of Hampden 8 (if I can find it duty free) and Appleton 12 or 15 would be good places to start."
"Appleton 12 or 15 would probably be a good intro"
#26
Worthy Park
4.3
(4)
"It's delicious."
"I think your best bet is Worthy Park."
"Worthy Park (Velier has great offerings of both)."
"Worthy Park"
#27
Flor de Caña
4.3
(4)
"Motherfucking Flor De Cana. Sip it. Mix it. Cocktail it. It'll do just about everything well."
"The best value sipping rum ever made."
"Flor de Cana 7 or Plantation Gran Reserve would be a step up in price & quality."
"Flor de Cana, sante terresa may be similar if you can find those"
#28
Appleton Estate
4.0
(4)
"Appleton Estates!"
"Appleton estate. Obvious for many, but needs to be said"
"I used to sip Appleton estate in college. It's a good sipping rum for the price."
"Is a decent reasonably priced rum."
#29
Havana Club 7
3.8
(4)
"Havana 7 is a Spanish style very vanilla forward rum"
"Then you'd do a Spanish one like Havana 7."
"Doorlys 12, Havana Club 7, El Dorado 12 and Appleton 15 are staples for me."
"Spanish style? Havana Club 7 is decent enough"
#30
El Dorado 12 & 15
5.0
(3)
"Eldorado 12 or 15 year"
"I'd recommend el dorado 12&15 and Appleton 12&15."
"El darado 12 15"
#31
Barbancourt
5.0
(3)
"I'm gonna get for sure."
"Great sippers."
#32
Diplomático
4.7
(3)
"Diplomatico and El Dorado 12 was my introduction, still 2 of my faves."
"Diplomático, Appleton signature, plantation Fiji are all pretty accessible and interesting/delicious."
"Diplomatico."
#33
Zaya 12
4.7
(3)
"Zaya is fantastic, agree with the other poster."
"Zaya 12, hands down the best rum in my cabinet for the money."
"Zaya 12."
#34
Real McCoy 12
4.7
(3)
"The Real McCoy 12 is a great sipping option."
"I like Real McCoy 12"
"Real McCoy 12, Appleton 12."
#35
Appleton 15
4.3
(3)
"Appleton 15 year is my go to"
"Doorlys 12, Havana Club 7, El Dorado 12 and Appleton 15 are staples for me."
"Appleton 15, Appleton 21, El Dorado 21, Mount Gay XO are all decent choices."
#36
Flor de Caña 12
4.3
(3)
"Flor de Caña 12"
"I really enjoy flor de caña 12."
"FdC 12 maybe? They all tend to be too sweet."
#37
Plantation Xaymaca
4.3
(3)
"Try the Plantation Xaymaca. It’s 100 percent pot still so it’s funkier than Appleton but it’s not hitting you with a frying pan like Smith and Cross."
"Try Appleton 8, Doorlys XO or 12, El Dorado 8, and Plantation Xaymaca first"
"Plantation Xaymaca"
#38
Zaya
4.3
(3)
"ZAYA is super smooth and sweet...it will lead you on a journey to discover more complex types of rums."
"If you really like Zacapa, Zaya is in a similar vein."
"Zaya is $25-30/750ml at nice local liquor stores or bevmo here in California. It is also always available in my liquor cabinet."
#39
Travellers
4.3
(3)
"I think I ended up with the 7 or 8 year over the longest aged one for my personal preference and I could sip it like bourbon."
"I’m adding Don Omario is on my list of must-try for my next trip."
"Check the Travellers selection. They have some like The Wolf, The Don Omario as mentioned before but the 18, 1981, Belizean Blue."
#40
Santa Teresa 1796
4.0
(3)
"Santa Teresa 1796."
"Santa Teresa 1796, Brugal 1888, Don Q Reserva 7."
"Santa Teresa 1796 or Doorly's XO"
#41
Brugal
4.0
(3)
"Brugal is Good shit I tell you haha, regardless money"
"Brugal would be a comparable option."
"My to go rum to sip is definitely Brugal."
#42
Zaya Gran Reserva
4.0
(3)
"Zaya Gran Reserva and Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva both fit that bill."
"My first was zaya Gran reserva but diplomatico is another very approachable first time rum."
"I recently bought a bottle of Zaya Gran Reserva."
#43
Chairman's Reserve
4.0
(3)
"For at or under $30 Chariman's Reserve and Doorly's 12 are great."
"Chairman's Reserve. Forgotten cask is better, but they're all good."
"Chairman's Reserve as someone else mentioned is also delicious."
#44
Mount Gay Black Barrel
4.0
(3)
"Since u like whisky I would try mount gay black barrel"
"Mount gay black barrel is normally less than 40 bucks."
"Mount Gay Black Barrel or XO."
#45
Clairin Sajous
4.0
(3)
"I’d ignore my own advice, and buy a feral Haitian Clairin, probably saijous, because that’s the bastard love child of a herb shop."
"Clairin sajous"
"Clairin sajous."
#46
Foursquare Exceptional Cask Series
5.0
(2)
"Mwhaa, chef's kiss!"
"Straight to the top with Foursquare exceptional cask series."
#47
Angostura 1919
5.0
(2)
"Angostura 1919 is also quite Delicious."
"Try a good rum that really tastes like rum. Maybe Ron del Barrilito (3 stars) or Angostura 1919."
#48
Clément
5.0
(2)
"It’s one of my favorite sippers."
"If you want to give Agricole a whirl!"
#49
TCRL
5.0
(2)
"Have been my favorites so far"
"Some of my favorite sippers."
#50
Appleton 21
4.5
(2)
"Appleton 21"
"Appleton 21."
#51
Plantation XO
4.5
(2)
"Plantation XO is always a crowd pleaser."
"I've long held that Plantation XO is just about the best value for money as a sipper."
#52
Pusser's
4.5
(2)
"Coming from a background in mostly scotch / bourbon, I find Pusser's to be a fantastic bridge into the rum world."
"Pussers, Brugal 1888, Hamilton blonde. Can't go wrong with them and reasonably priced."
#53
El Dorado Port Mourant
4.5
(2)
"The Port Mourant distillate is fabulous and $120 CAD at LCBO"
"Not sure if its available in Canada but I really enjoy El Dorado Port Mourant."
#54
Hampden Great House
4.5
(2)
"Is excellent, lots of fruity flavors, and about $100 retail in Texas."
"Hampden Great House if you can find it."
#55
Foursquare Exceptional Cask
4.5
(2)
"Is he a big bourbon/whiskey fan? Get him some foursquare exceptional cask."
"[Foursquare Exceptional Cask] looks pretty good."
#56
Trois Rivières
4.5
(2)
"If you can get tres rivieras, or whatever its spelt. Its the MONEY"
"Don’t sleep on Trois Rivières either. It’s my favorite Agricole (not including clairin)"
#57
Plantation 5 Year
4.5
(2)
"I really like plantation 5yr for sipping. Wonderfully balanced."
"Plantation 5 year."
#58
Zacapa XO
4.5
(2)
"Zacapa XO."
"Zacapa XO is around 80usd in ecuador or colombia not sure where mine was bought.."
#59
1 Barrel
4.5
(2)
"I have some great cocktails I make with One Barrel."
"We like 1 Barrell better than the 3 or 5. Tasty!"
#60
Holmes Cay
4.5
(2)
"Just had the Holmes Cay Mhoba 2017."
"If you are looking for a good unadulterated rum, look for some of Foursquare's bottles or maybe something from Holmes Cay."
#61
Wray & Nephew
4.5
(2)
"Go for an white overproof."
"Wray & Nephew is another popular brand that is the same company."
#62
Goslings Black Seal
4.0
(2)
"Goslings Black Seal, although I think it's a better mixer."
"I liked sipping on Black Seal."
#63
Bumbu
4.0
(2)
"Bumbu is quite good. Sips nicely"
"If you have the budget for it, I might also offer Bumbu. Both are quite sweet and offer unique flavours that are enjoyable."
#64
R.L. Seale's 10 Year
4.0
(2)
"Re seals ten years old"
"Doorlys 12, Doorlys XO, Barbancourt 5 star, RL Seale 10, Appleton 12."
#65
Mount Gay Eclipse
4.0
(2)
"The mount gay is best after half an hour of airing."
"I'd probably recommend starting with something like Mount Gay Eclipse, it's not too sweet or to funky or too expensive, good enough to sip on its own but still mixes well."
#66
Plantation
4.0
(2)
"Plantation has a few good budget options like Fuji or Stiggins Pinapple."
"Plantation. All of them."
#67
Don Q Gran Reserva
4.0
(2)
"Don Q Gran Reser"
"Spanish sipping rums, I'd say Don Q gran reserve, or whatever its called nowadays, or a Havana Club or Bacardi 7yr or 8yr, something like that."
#68
El Dorado 8
4.0
(2)
"I just got this and I will say it’s up there with my favorites so far, Real Mcoy 5 (never tried the 12), and El Dorado 8"
"Try Appleton 8, Doorlys XO or 12, El Dorado 8, and Plantation Xaymaca first"
#69
Bacardi 8
4.0
(2)
"Bacardi 8."
"The cheapest rum I like to sip is Bacardi 8."
#70
Brugal 1888
4.0
(2)
"Try Brugal 1888 nice and smooth dominican rum."
"I like Brugal 1888 neat."
#71
Gosling Black Seal
4.0
(2)
"I've enjoyed Gosling Black Seal."
"Gosling black seal, appleton 8, angostura 7 year old are cheap(ish) and all pretty good."
#72
Doctor Bird
4.0
(2)
"I’ve found Doctor Bird to be a nice sipping rum in the same vein as S&C, but not as hot."
"Doctor Bird"
#73
Hampden DOK
4.0
(2)
"Hampden dok"
"This would get my vote. A DOK at a 85.6% abv."
#74
Chairman's Reserve Spiced
3.5
(2)
"Chairmans reserve spiced is my suggestion when it comes to a good beginners sipping rum."
"Chairman reserve spiced but generally spiced rums are for mixing if your after a sipper then u generally want an age rum over 5 years"
#75
Diplomatico Mantuano
3.5
(2)
"Diplomatico Mantuano - the purists will hate this suggestion because of added sugars but this is the rum that made me take rum seriously and it won't break the bank!"
"Diplomatico Montuano which has less sugar than the more common Reserva"
#76
Zacapa
3.0
(2)
"All the Zacapas are pretty heavily "dosed" (which is a fancy way of saying, they add sugar)"
"Zacapa is great too, a bit too sweet for me neat."
#77
Habitation Velier
5.0
(1)
"Pretty much any bottling from Habitation Velier if you can find it."
#78
El Dorado 12 & above
5.0
(1)
"I'd recommend whatever version of El Dorado you can afford that is available where you live. 12 year and above"
#79
Diplomatico Ambassador
4.0
(1)
"Sweetened rums in that price range are more available if that is what he prefers such as Diplomatico Ambassador."
#80
Muddy River
4.0
(1)
"Not sure how wide the distribution is but if you can find it Muddy River is great."
#81
Grand Arôme
4.0
(1)
"Grand Arome from Savanna or Le Galion."
#82
Clairin
4.0
(1)
"Clairin"
#83
Doorly's XO 12 & 14
4.0
(1)
"Doorlys xo 12 14"
#84
Appleton Estate 8 & 12
4.0
(1)
"Appleton Estate 8 or 12 or Hampden Estate 8 - Jamaican"
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