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Ah, eggnog. Creamy, sweet and a pale golden hue, this drink is basically synonymous with Christmas. But the true star of this heady mixture of beaten eggs, sugar and cream or milk? The booze, of course.
While traditional eggnog can be spiked with everything from bourbon to Sherry to brandy, rum is a particularly popular option—and for good reason. With dark sugar overtones and deeply spicy character, rum provides a uniquely complex foundation for this dessert-like quaff.
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“It plays well with the nutmeg and the cinnamon aspect of [eggnog],” says Wine Enthusiast’s senior tasting coordinator Craig Chamberlain. “Once anything—spirit-wise or wine-wise really—spends some time in a barrel, you’ll pick up a lot of those flavors as well.”
But what kind is best in eggnog? There are many different styles of rum, so the answer isn’t always obvious. Do you prefer rum that’s pricey or budget-friendly? White rum or spiced rum? We turned to Chamberlain for some of his favorite bottles. But first, we had some questions.
What Kind of Rum Goes Best with Eggnog?
“I like something with a little bit more body and flavor than say, just like a silver [or white rum],” says Chamberlain. “Those are good, but I feel like you can bring more to the party—the party being eggnog.” That’s why he prefers a spiced rum or an aged rum.
That said, if you’re into more light-flavored, unaged white rum? Chart your own eggnog journey, friend.
How Do You Elevate Eggnog?
With a next-level rum, of course. “I would go to something aged, for instance, something that’s has a few years—at least five, preferably more than 10,” says Chamberlain. These offerings provide a “rounder flavor” that “mellows out a little bit over time to bring out some nuances.”
What’s a Good Eggnog Hack?
Homemade eggnog is great and all, but there’s no shame in the store-bought game. “Totally cheat and buy something at the store premade,” Chamberlain suggests. “There are actually a couple of liquor brands that have non-alcoholic selections at your local grocery store,” he says—Southern Comfort, being one. Make them your own by doctoring with your favorite rum selection.
Excited to whip up some eggnog of your own? Here are rum bottles that Chamberlain thinks shine brightly in eggnog.
Best Overall
Appleton Estate Black River Casks
Look for a deep amber hue and bold, enticing caramel and coffee bean aromas, plus a hint of red fruit. The velvety palate echoes those notes, adding succulent toffee and hazelnut, leading to a long, complex finish accented by orange peel. Sip or mix this rum, aged 15 years minimum.96 Points —Kara Newman
Best Budget
Plantation Isle of Fiji
The aroma suggests banana bread drizzled with honey and just a whiff of pineapple. The palate magnifies that tropical note, exploding with juicy grilled pineapple and landing lightly with vanilla, coconut and cinnamon tones. Mix into pineapple Daiquiris and Piña Coladas. Distilled and aged two to three years in Fiji, then another year in the cooler climate of France in ex-Ferrand Cognac casks.Best Buy. 95 Points—K.N.
Best Splurge
Ron Zacapa XO
Overall, this is a cocoa-bomb rum. Look for a deep-brown hue and concentrated toffee and cocoa aromas. The flavor suggests dried figs and dates, cocoa powder and walnut, finishing with a puckery fruit-leather finish.91 Points—K.N.
Best White Rum
Diplomatico Planas
The name of this white rum refers to the Planas valley, where the Diplomatico distillery is located, at the foot of the Andes mountains. Look for mild brown sugar aromas and a grassy palate accented with hints of banana funk and perky lemongrass, finishing clean and bright, warming all the way down.Best Buy. 90 Points—K.N.
Best Spiced Rum
Alander Spiced Rum
Made with Louisiana turbinado and Florida demerara sugar, this light gold rum offers a rich, nutty aroma. The flavor profile is relatively light, with brown sugar and vanilla washing over undertones of pecan and espresso, finishing with ginger, cinnamon and clove sizzle.90 Points—K.N.
Best Aged Rum
Rum Explorer Guyana 2 Year Rum
ip-smacking layers of flavor make this a top choice top sip or mix into rum Old-Fashioneds. This is a blend of rums distilled at Demerara Distilleries and finished in oloroso sherry casks in France, where the rum also is bottled. The end result is a robust salted butterscotch effect, finishing with hints of almond, espresso and clove.97 Points—K.N.
Best Flavored Rum
Copalli Cacao Rum
This is a single-estate white rum infused with organic cacao nibs, and it’s lovely, more complex and clean than most flavored rum. Lychee and banana aromas lead into a concentrated, lightly sweet palate laced with vanilla sugar and cocoa powder, finishing long and slightly nutty, enlivened by a bit of white pepper tingle on the exit. Best Buy. 93 Points—K.N.
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All products featured here are independently selected by our team, which is comprised of experienced writers and wine tasters and overseen by editorial professionals atWine Enthusiastheadquarters. All ratings and reviews areperformed blind in a controlled settingand reflect the parameters of our 100-point scale.Wine Enthusiastdoes not accept payment to conduct any product review, though we may earn a commission on purchases made through links on this site. Prices were accurate at the time of publication.
Last Updated: December 22, 2023
