The World’s Best Rum Comes From This Caribbean Island

By: - December 6th, 2024
rosewood le
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth is the headquarters of the Caribbean Rum Awards.

There’s a new best rum in the world. Martinique’s Trois Rivieres was crowned World Champion at the recent seventh annual Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth, with its Triple Millesime 2006 – 2014 – 2016 winning double gold in the region’s top rum competition.

The Triple Millesime fought off seven other ultra-premium rums in a blind tasting by 10 expert judges from North America and the Caribbean hosted at the Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth.

A Martinique rum has won the World Championship four of the past five years at the event, solidifying the island’s place as the rum capital of the world (Martinique is home to more rum distilleries than any other country on earth).

Overall, nearly 60 rums were tasted across seven different categories. The World Championship category includes both molasses rum and rhum agricole, featuring rare, ultra-premium expressions that represent the best efforts of respective distilleries.

The jury is part of a wider weeklong festival in St Barth featuring beach rum parties, master classes, rum pairing dinners and tasting events, headquartered at the Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, Le Barthelemy and Les Ilets de la Plage hotels. The event is presented by Wimco St Barth Properies and Tradewind Aviation.

The Rhum Bielle event at Les Ilets de la Plage.

“This year was our best field yet, featuring an impressive assortment of premium, rare rum and rhum Agricole from top producers around the Caribbean,” said Alexander Britell, editor and publisher of Caribbean Journal and founder of the Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth. “Trois Rivieres’ Triple Millesime truly stood out as a remarkable expression of Caribbean rum-making.”

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; Martinique-based rum expert Thierry Huyghes-Despointes;; 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; and Weshington, DC-based tiki and rum expert Ted Houseknecht.

Legendary Caribbean Chef Guy Ferdinand during the judging.

“The Caribbean Rum Awards continues to grow each year as the premier celebration of Caribbean rum in the world,” said Guy Britton, managing editor and EVP of Caribbean Journal.

caribbean rum awards
Le Barthelemy Hotel and Spa, host of several events during the week.

Don Q’s Reserva de la Familia Serralles from Puerto Rico was named World’s Best Rum at the 2023 edition of the event. Martnique’s Rhum Neisson had held that title for the previous four years.

This year’s event was presented by Wimco St Barth Properties and Tradewind Aviation.

The full results can be found below:

Best Gold Rum: Island Company Rum

Rhum Agricole Blanc Guadeloupe

Double Gold – Marie Louise 71

Gold – Reimonenq Coeur de Chauffe

Silver – Rhum Karukera 59

Bronze – Rhum Longueteau Le 62

Rhum Agricole Blanc Martinique

Double Gold – Rhum Saint James TOMBOLO

Gold – Rhum Clement Canne Bleue 2024

Silver – Trois Rivieres Cuvee de l’Ocean

Bronze – Baie de Tresor Blanc

VSOP

Double Gold – Trois Rivieres VSOP

Gold – Rhum JM VSOP

Silver – Rhum Bielle 4 ans

Bronze – Rhum Saint James VSOP

XO

Double Gold – Reimonenq 7 Ans

Gold – Rhum JM XO

Silver – Rhum Bielle 2016

Bronze – Rhum Clement XO

Hors d’age

Double Gold – Rhum Bielle 2013

Gold – Rhum JM 2013

Silver – Rhum Karukera Cuvée 235 Anniversaire

Bronze – Trois Rivieres Cask Strength

Premium Molasses Rum

Double Gold – Ron Eminente 7

Gold – Mount Gay Eclipse Navy Strength

Silver – Don Q XO

Bronze – Papa’s Pilar Dark Rum

World Championship

Double Gold – Trois Rivieres Triple Millesime 2006 – 2014 – 2016

Gold – J Bally Grande Cuvée du Siècle 100 Ans

Silver – Rhum JM Canopée

Bronze – Plantation Legacy 120

World’s Best Rum 2024: Trois Rivieres Triple Millesime 2006 – 2014 – 2016

About the author

Caitlin Sullivan began her career with Caribbean Journal as Arts and Culture editor before shifting to travel full time. She writes frequently on the Caribbean cruise industry, flight networks and broader travel news. Her most frequent Caribbean destination? Nassau.
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