For the 5th time, I was a judge at the Miami Rum Renaissance Festival in Miami, FL. In a switch from previous years, the festival combined it’s normally separated judging panels (RumXP Awards & Consumer Rum Jury Awards) into the newly dubbed “Rum Jury Gold Awards”.
In four separate blind-tastings, nearly 100 different rums were judged for color/clarity, aroma, taste and finish. Below are the rums which scored the highest in total during the two-days of judging.
The Rum Jurors
Established in 2014, the Rum Jury offers the perspective and opinions of enthusiast rum consumers, especially those with large collections of rum. These super-consumers are important influencers among their own friends and associates and can accurately represent what the public might find most interesting.
Over time, their Rum Jury Gold Awards recommendations have offered rum consumers insightful guidance based on their real-world experience with many rums.
Judging Rum
Rum jurors evaluate rums within a specific set of guidelines established by the International Rum Experts team. Rather than judging rums by favoritism, the products are judged by attempting to discern the intent of the producer and evaluating the results of their efforts.
Rum Jury Gold Awards
The following products were judged superior in the blind tasting competition and earned their 2019 Rum Jury Gold Awards.
Autentico Nativo 15 – Panamá
Autentico Nativo Overproof – Panamá
Copalli White Rum – Belize
Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva – Venezuela
Diplomático Planas – Venezuela
Just Rum, Simple White – Washington
Just Rum, Maple Rested – Washington
Lemon Hart 1804 – Guyana
Lemon Hart Blackpool Spiced – Guyana
Maggie’s Farm Queen Share 55 – Pennsylvania
Maggie’s Farm Spiced – Pennsylvania
Maison La Mauny – Acacia 50° – Martinique
Maison La Mauny – Spiced 40° – Martinique
Maison La Mauny – XO 40° – Martinique
Naked in Jamaica – Florida
Paratiana Ouro Cachaça – Brazil
Paratiana Prata Cachaça – Brazil
Plantation O.F.T.D. Overproof – various
Plantation Original Dark – various
Puerto Angel Añejo Uruapan – Mexico
Puerto Angel Blanco Uruapan – Mexico
Ron Caribu Spiced Black Strap – Venezuela
Ron Caribu Gold Superior – Venezuela
RumJava Cacao’Mon – Florida
RumJava Expresso Rum Cream – Florida
RumJava Mahtini’Mon – Florida
RumJava Signature – Florida
Saint James Rhum Blanc Agricole – Martinique
Tanduay Double – The Philippines
Tanduay Gold – The Philippines
Tanduay Silver – The Philippines
Three Roll Estate Brazilian Style – Louisiana
Three Roll Estate Premium Agricole – Louisiana
TierraMonte Essential Eight – various
Trois Rivières – Rhum Blanc Agricole 50° – Martinique
Trois Rivières – Cuvée de l’Océan 42° – Martinique
Trois Rivières – VO – Cuvée du Moulin – Martinique
Trois Rivières – VSOP Réserve Spéciale – Martinique
The winners received gold medals and certificates at the Miami Rum Renaissance Festival at a ceremony before a gathering of the public, the spirits trade and rum producers.