Eight exceptional rums have made it to the finals of the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a renowned event in the spirits industry. These finalists include five rums aged for five years or more and three overproof selections. Here’s a detailed look at their origins and tasting notes.

Aged 5 Years & Older Rum Finalists

Cartavio XO Rum

• ABV: 40%
• Price: $60
• Description: Originating from Peru, Cartavio XO is a blend of rums aged up to 18 years, matured in a solera system with various oak barrels. It presents a less sweet profile typical of South American rums, influenced by the dry Andean terroir. Tasting notes include dried fig, orange zest, vanilla, and roasted nuts, finishing with caramel and dark chocolate.

Zacapa No. 23 Rum

• ABV: 40%
• Price: $45
• Description: This Guatemalan rum is aged for up to 23 years and crafted from virgin sugarcane syrup. Known for its velvety character, Zacapa No. 23 features aromas of caramelized banana and vanilla, with a palate rich in molasses, dried fruit, and cinnamon, ending on a long, semi-sweet note of vanilla and toasted oak.

Ten To One, Five Origin Select Rum

• ABV: 46%
• Price: $60
• Description: This rum blends varieties from Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Guyana, and Trinidad, aged up to 15 years. It’s complex with notes of molasses and tropical fruits, leading to a robust palate of allspice and burnt caramel, finishing with spices and seasoned wood.

Planteray Rum, XO 20th Anniversary

• ABV: 40%
• Price: $70
• Description: A blend aged in Barbados and finished in French cognac casks, this rum showcases rich flavors of ripe banana and vanilla. Its smooth palate is complemented by notes of dried fruit and crème brûlée, concluding with tropical fruit and soft spices.

Ron del Barrilito Rum, 3 Stars

• ABV: 43%
• Price: $40
• Description: As Puerto Rico’s oldest rum brand, this rum is aged 6 to 10 years and crafted using a solera method. It exhibits a drier structure with aromas of toasted walnut and dried apricot, leading to a complex palate with candied orange and cocoa powder, finishing with caramelized citrus and nutmeg.

Overproof Rum Finalists

Worthy Park, Overproof Rum

• ABV: 63%
• Price: $28
• Description: This Jamaican pot-still rum combines molasses and cane juice, aged in ex-bourbon barrels. It’s bold with notes of green banana and overripe pineapple, delivering robust flavors of traditional Jamaican rum funk and a long fruity finish.

Cap & Cane Spirits, Overproof Rum

• ABV: 63%
• Price: $32
• Description: Produced in North Carolina, this rum is crafted for cocktail use, combining high-ester molasses rum with lighter distillates. It presents fresh notes of sugarcane and lemon peel, providing a smooth palate balanced with toasted coconut.

Planteray Rum, OFTD (Old Fashioned Traditional Dark)

• ABV: 69%
• Price: $28
• Description: This Royal Navy-style rum is a blend sourced from various regions, capturing the essence of navy-strength rums. It features robust aromas and flavors of molasses and burnt orange, with a syrupy texture and a finish rich in dark fruits and baking spices.

These rums are not only exceptional for sipping but also versatile enough to craft potent cocktails, offering a wide spectrum of tastes and aromas that rum enthusiasts will appreciate.