With National Rum Day upon us today, it’s time to celebrate with tropical drinks in our backyards, poolside, or wherever you’ve found to escape the monotony of every day life. In order to make those drinks, though, you’ll obviously need some rum.
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The great thing about rums is that there are a ton of affordable and delicious options out there. Sure, they may not all be fine sippers like this aged rum from Flor de Caña, but you also wouldn’t put that in your daiquiri. Below, check out our choices for the best cheap rums under $20.
Bayou Silver Rum – $20
Made in southwestern Louisiana, Bayou Silver uses a blend of Louisiana sugarcane juice and molasses to create a rum that is soft, creamy, and loaded with banana and vanilla notes. Easy to sip on its own, the rum also works well in a wide variety of cocktails. Bayou Silver was the winner of the Best Unaged Rum category in The Manual Spirit Awards 2018.
Castillo Silver – $10
Castillo Silver can often be found for under $10. While it’s cheap, it’s a solid representation of a clear rum fermented from molasses. It’s not something that would be sipped neat, but it’s great for cocktails, much like a base level vodka. Better than some clear rums that sell for twice the price, Castillo Silver is slightly sweet, but with very little burn — especially for a $10 spirit.
Cruzan Aged Light – $14
This filtered light rum is made in the U.S. Virgin Islands from a blend aged between one year and four years. It maintains a deep body, perfect for use in frozen and traditional rum cocktails like a daiquiri, Cuba Libre, or mojito.
Sailor Jerry – $15
There’s a time and place for spiced rums, the type some drinkers associate with the entire category. Vanilla and cinnamon follow you through the full Sailor Jerry experience. Cheaper and stronger than some other brands of spiced rum, it’s a great bang for your buck. We suggest a squeeze of lime.
Flor de Cana 4 Years Extra Seco – $15
An extra-dry white rum, this Flor de Caña is aged for four years, which rounds out the taste nicely. Notes include citrus, coconut, and vanilla. The light body does well for mixing in fruit juices, clear sodas, and tonic water.
Mount Gay Eclipse – $20
Mount Gay Eclipse exudes a range of flavors throughout each sip, including floral, fruity, and vanilla. This golden rum spends time in American oak barrels, which impart a smokiness that whiskey drinkers would appreciate. It’s certainly one of the best rums for $20. The bright finish makes this Mount Gay product nice on the rocks with lime or in a classic cocktail such as the Dark and Stormy.
Article originally published September 27, 2017. Last updated September 11, 2019.
