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Puerto Rico’s Don Q Crowned World Champion at Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - November 9, 2023

The single-best rum in the world is currently made in Puerto Rico.

That was the final result of this year’s Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth, the sixth edition of the world’s most exclusive rum competition and festival.

Puerto Rico’s Don Q Reserva de la Familia Serralles took home the crown in a World Championship field that pitted the most expensive molasses-based rums and the most expensive rhums agricoles in a competition hosted at the Rosewood Le Guahanahi St Barth resort.

Don Q Reserva de la Familia Serralles, joined by Graycliff, the event’s official cigar partner.

It was the sixth annual edition of the competition and festival, which kicked off with an opening party at the rooftop bar at Le Barthelemy Hotel and Spa and included a series of events around the island including Rosewood Le Guanahani and Les Ilets de la Plage.

rosewood le
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth.

The event, presented by Platinum Sponsors Tradewind Aviation and Wimco St Barth Properties, included rum parties, rum tastings, master classes, a sold-out rum dinner and final Rum on the Beach party on the sand both hosted at the Rosewood Le Guanahani.

“This year’s Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth was a fantastic success,” said Alexander Britell, editor and publisher of Caribbean Journal and co-founder of the Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth. “The impressive field was a reminder of the unbelievable diversity and quality of rums in the Caribbean.”

Clementine Guillot of Rhum Damoiseau at the Ti’ Punch Pool Party at Le Barthelemy Hotel and Spa.

Martinique’s Rhum Neisson was the most heavily decorated brand, taking home Double Gold in three different categories.

The Rhum Reimonenq party at Les Ilets de la Plage in St Jean.

This year also added a new category for the competition, Cane Rum, highlighting cane juice-based rums made outside of the French Caribbean. Taking home the Double Gold this year was Grenada’s Renegade Rum, with its Single Farm Origin- Dunfermline.

“We had some great rums and new distilleries visiting and presenting their rums as well as some of the agricole producers that have been supporting us all along,” said Christopher Davis, founder of Rhum Room St Barth and co-founder of the Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth. “It was a great week and we have some fantastic ideas for 2024”

Yves Assier de Pompignan of Martinique’s Rhum A1710 was named Rum-Maker of the Year. In separate awards, Island Company Rum took home the title of Best Gold Rum and Flor de Cana was named Rum Brand of the Year.

le barth rooftop
The VIP opening party at Le Barthelemy’s rooftop bar, Whisky Tango Foxtrot.

“The Caribbean rum world has never been more exciting, particularly in rhum agricole” said Guy Britton, managing editor of Caribbean Journal.

Judges included Alexander Britell, co-founder of the Caribbean Rum Awards and editor and publisher of Caribbean Journal; Guy Britton, managing editor of Caribbean Journal; Christopher Davis, renowned rum expert and founder of the Rhum Room St Barth; Peter Berntsen, COO of Empire Social Lounge in Miami; Myssi Davis, founder of Rum Traveler; Jose Antonio Hernandez-Solaun, president of the Miami branch of the International Wine and Food Association; rum expert Ivan Jivkov; Simons Chase, editor of Cuba Journal; world-renowned Chef Guy Ferdinand. 

You can find the full list of medalists below:

Rhum Blanc Guadeloupe 

Rhum Karukera 50 – Double Gold

Reimonenq Coeur de Chauffe – Gold

Rhum St Barth 50 – Silver

Damoiseau 69 – Bronze

Rhum Blanc Martinique

Rhum A1710 La Perle Cuvee de Montaguere – Double Gold

Neisson Dekolaj – Gold

Baie de Tresor – Silver

Rhum JM 50 – Bronze

Vieux Agricole

Rhum Neisson Vieux Bio Double Gold

Rhum Karukera L’insolite Gold

Longueteau Vieux Silver

Damoiseau Vieux Bronze

VSOP Agricole

Rhum Neisson VSOP Double Gold

Rhum Bielle 2015 Gold

Karukera Black Alligator Silver

Rhum Dillon VSOP Bronze

XO Agricole

Damoiseau XO Double Gold

Reimonenq 7 Ans Gold

Rhum Bielle 2016 Silver

Rhum JM XO Bronze

Hors d’age Agricole

Rhum Bielle 2011 – Double Gold

Reimonenq 9 ans Gold

Damoiseau 15 ans Silver

Rhum JM 2006 Bronze

Rhum Uber Agricole 

Rhum Neisson Zwetol Double Gold

Rhum A1710 La Deliverande  Gold

Rhum JM 2006 Silver

Rhum Bielle 2011 Bronze

Rhum Uber Molasses

Don Q Reserva de la Familia Serralles  Double Gold

Mount Gay Single Estate Gold

Papa’s Pilar Ernest  Silver

Flor de Cana 25 Bronze

Cane Rum 

Renegade Single Farm Dunfermline Double Gold

Copalli Rum White Gold

Ron Pepon Agricola Silver

Renegade Swimming Pool Bronze

Premium Molasses Rum 

La Marielita Double Gold

Old Road Rum Gold

John Watling Paradise Rum Silver

Worthy Park Single Estate Bronze

World Championship 

Reserva de la Familia Serralles Double Gold

Neisson Zwetol  Gold

Mount Gay Single Estate Silver

Papa’s Pilar Ernest Bronze

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