Seriously Weird Rums From Puerto Rico & Barbados

Ron del Barrilito’s 31 year old single cask rum is just as oddball as their other rums — but they’re all very tasty.

It’s a new year, but 2026 promises to be like 2025 in at least one respect — I don’t update my website enough. But hey, better, tardy than not showing up to the party at all, right? So… here are two relatively recent articles I wrote about rum (New Year’s resolution: write more about rum, dammit, and barring that, drink more rum).

First up is a piece on Ron del Barrilito’s super-duper-limited edition single cask rum. The Puerto Rican distillery makes rum in, from what I know, is a completely unique fashion — and yes, it’s completely legal as well, it’s not like they’re spitting in it or putting turpentine in there or anything. And it makes a very tasty rum that’s worth checking out. In case you’re wondering about RdB’s story, and this rum, why not read my writeup for Forbes! It won’t take long, I promise. Link is -> HERE <-.

Next up… I was at a holiday party at the home of Alexandre Gabriel — the owner and master blender of Planteray Rum (and Ferrand Cognac and Citadelle Gin, among others) — and was getting ready to leave when I was told he was about to break out something special. I was already in my cups, with a long schlep home from Brooklyn looming, but I wasn’t about to say no. And what he gave me was a rum quite unlike anything I’ve ever tried. I’d read about it, I knew it existed, but until recently, with few exceptions, it hasn’t been for sale in its unadulterated state. So what is it? Read my article (in Food & Wine) and find out!

Link is -> HERE <-.