The Rum Old-Fashioned has sometimes been described as a “gateway drug” for rum. The familiar, pared-back formula is a showcase of how the spirit can shine with very little dressing up—no tropical fruit juices or other mixers to hide behind. But whether you’re new to the spirit or a longtime fan, it’s crucial that the rum that forms the base of the drink is a good one.
Martin Cate, rum expert and owner of San Francisco’s Smuggler’s Cove, says it’s key to use a spirit that has aged in oak long enough to develop the wood’s influence, with a higher ABV to stand up against the sugar in the drink and “a certain flavorful heft to the distillate” that gives the rum more character. Spirits educator and Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails author Shannon Mustipher compares the best rums for this template to rye whiskeys: They have a long, complex finish, skew on the drier side and should be medium- to full-bodied.
To get started, here are the best rums to try in a Rum Old-Fashioned, at every price point.