Do you remember the tagline from those old Captain Morgan commercials:
“Got a little Captain in you?”
Such a great line. And honestly – such a great entry-level rum!
I mean, let’s face it…
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Captain Morgan is easily the world’s most popular spiced rum, and it’s one of the most popular liquors overall (Bacardi is, of course, the other most popular rum – but really you can’t compare the two).
It’s a great price, it’s a great mixer, and it’s one of the most recognizable alcohol brands (and poses) in the world.
But let’s face it –
Competition is fierce, and lots of competitors are coming after “the Captain.”
In fact…
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I’ve picked out eight spiced rums whose fans would swear up and down they’re better than Captain Morgan. (I included a mix of darker and lighter spiced rums just so everyone had some variety.)
Is the Captain still #1?
Well, that’s for you to decide.
Starting with an old favorite…
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The price: $13-$20 for a 750 mL bottle depending on where you buy it.
What makes it great: Hard to beat the price point – and it’s a great taste if you’re into hot rum that burns upfront, before mellowing out to vanilla buttercream and spices. Also, it smells great. (Not that that’s why you buy it, but it certainly helps!)
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The price: $16 or so.
What makes it great: Foursquare is another rum that’s in the same general price class as Captain Morgan, but it’s got a beautiful nose with hints of peppermint, marmalade, and nutmeg. It’s got a strong, spicy finish that anyone looking for a stiff drink will appreciate.
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The price: $22-$23 for 750 mL
What makes it great: Kraken is a beautiful dark spiced rum that I’d highly recommend for a cocktail (think a dark and stormy). For something simpler, consider Dr. Pepper as a mixer!
And if you’re making rum balls – Kraken is exactly the kind of spiced rum you’ll want for that really dark and full-bodied taste.
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The price: $27
What makes it great: Siesta Key is a great sipping rum, and even though it’s a little light at 35% ABV, it brings a punch and heat that you’d usually associate with something more in the 40%+ category. All in all, an excellent rum that doesn’t need any mixers to taste great!
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The price: $16 for a 750 mL bottle
What makes it great: Hard to argue with the price! And this rum has a nice nose of marshmallow, cinnamon, and caramel flavors. If you’re looking for something a little more balanced and less cloyingly sweet than Captain Morgan – this might be just the thing.
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The price: $36
What makes it great: It’s a good quality spiced rum with notes of caramel and a real warmth upfront – plus it’s very smooth. Interestingly, the finish has a little sarsaparilla to it? Anyway, if you’ve had it, you know what I mean.
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The price: $30
What makes it great: In general, I’d describe Corsair spiced rum as “mellower Captain Morgan” – it’s got a little more vanilla, a smoother finish, and in general exhibits at a higher quality as a sipping rum.
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The price: $30
What makes it great: I’d say Crusoe tastes the most of cherry of any of the spiced rums in this article – it’s also got a great mixture of allspice, clove, nutmeg, orange, vanilla, and (of course) cinnamon. It’s got a rich and smooth finish. Maybe the most Christmas-y of the bunch, since it tastes a lot like how a gingerbread house smells.
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I couldn’t leave without giving Captain Morgan its due! After all, let’s face it – it’s legendary.
The price: About $16 for a 750 mL bottle.
What makes it great: It’s popular for a reason – great price, sweet rum that’s fantastic in a mixed cocktail … it’s versatile and a good value.
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So there you have it – eight spiced rums whose fans would claim have lapped Captain Morgan.
They come in a variety of types, shapes, sizes, and price points.
But there’s really one BIG question:
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Is Captain Morgan still #1?
Or has it been dethroned by these (or another spiced rum I haven’t mentioned)?
Be sure to let us know in the comments!
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