Savor A Sweet Note with These 16 Rum-Cask Finished and Aged Whiskies

Cask finishing can take many forms; its ultimate purpose is to imbue a whisky with layered flavors that elevate its character after initial maturation in a different type of barrel. Rum cask-finished whiskies generally present notes of juicy tropical fruits. Casks that previously held light rums might lend more clean, vegetal sweetness, while richer, molasses notes can shine through in a whisky finished in casks that held dark rum. The flavors imparted by a rum cask can enhance a whisky, from mirroring bourbon’s inherent sweetness, balancing out spice in a rye, or adding layers of flavor to a grain or single malt scotch.

The use of rum casks to finish whisky is an idea that goes way back among makers of scotch and Irish whiskey. In American whiskey, Angel’s Envy was one of the pioneers, coming out with a Caribbean rum cask-finished rye 12 years ago. Producers use rum casks in different ways: as a solo finishing cask, in combination with other casks, or as the sole aging vessel. We’ve rounded up 16 whiskies that showcase the lush and fruity flavors that rum casks are capable of imparting.

95 points - Wild Turkey Master's Keep Voyage, 53%, $275

This is a special one given that it is the first rum-cask finished expression in the label’s history. This 10 year old bourbon was finished for 5 weeks in Appleton Estate rum barrels. Stupendous on the palate, with rich chocolate, herbal notes, brown sugar, honey, cherry, and peppery spice. With water, it sweetens, bringing notes of almond, sweetened iced tea, and chocolate.

93 points - Four Gate The Kelvin Collaboration V (Batch 28) bourbon, 58.5%, $200

A blend of three 7, 8, and 9 year old bourbons—two high ryes and a high malt—were finished in Australian Mariposa sherry casks and añejo dark rum casks. The flavors are rich and dense, and despite the high proof, it balances its heat well. Waffles with maple syrup, milk chocolate, spicy cola, and caramel apple flavors swirl.

93 points - Glenlivet Fusion Cask Rum & Bourbon Cask Finished single malt scotch, 40%, $100

Instead of two sequenced finishes in bourbon and rum barrels, both barrels were dismantled and reassembled to create a special “fusion” cask. Smooth and sugary-sweet from that rum cask, there are flavors of lemon and honey, a tropical fruit takeover of melon and mango, and an ending of peach, pear, and candied orange.

93 points - High West Cask Collection Barbados Rum Barrel Finished Blend of Straight Bourbons, 50%, $70

This one was aged for 4-9 years before undergoing a finish in Barbados rum barrels for 10 months. On the palate, there’s vanilla, a hint of tropical fruit, and honey held together by a backbone of toasted oak.

93 points - Westward Rum Cask Finished American single malt, 50%, $90

As a part of the label’s core lineup, this whiskey rested in Guatemalan rum casks. Linger over the glass and soft sweetness emerges, ranging from rum-raisin ice cream to maple candies. On the palate, these flavors persist, and they’re accented by a fantastically rich texture.

92 points - Blackened Rye The Lightning Madeira & Rum Cask Finished Rye Blend (2024 Edition), 46%, $70

A blend of straight ryes was finished in madeira wine casks and Caribbean rum casks for 2-14 weeks each. True to the label’s unorthodox proprietary sonic-enhanced aging process, metal music blasts the barrels, causing them to slightly vibrate. The cinnamon stays around on the sweet and spiced palate that also reveals flavors of vanilla cream, baked peaches, burnt sugar cookies, hints of candied nuts, and dashes of jalapeño spice.

92 points - Kaiyo Wood Library Series The Ramu 8 year old Rum Barrel Finished blended Japanese whisky, 46%, $70

Initially aged in mizunara oak casks, this expression was then finished in barrels that previously held Martinique rum. The rum cask finish complements the effects of the mizunara aging. Sweet melon, honey, lemon juice, grapefruit peel, vanilla, rum-raisin ice cream, and a deep well of spices on the palate.

92 points - Old Emmer Series No. 2 Caribbean Dark Rum Barrel Finished bourbon, 52%, $100

Sourced from Buffalo Trace, this wheated bourbon was aged for a minimum of 4 years before being finished in Caribbean dark rum barrels. Red berry syrup drapes the palate, with fresh cherries, well-integrated oak, and savory spice.

91 points - Smokehead Rebel Barbados Rum Cask Finished Islay scotch single malt, 46%, $82

Smokehead sources single malts from Islay, but where exactly it was distilled is undisclosed. This tropical whisky was finished for an undisclosed amount of time in casks that previously held Barbados rum. Bananas, apples, barrel char, and cigar leaf create a complex and inviting nose. On the palate, there’s vanilla, a hint of tropical fruit, and honey held together by a backbone of toasted oak.

91 points - Stranahan's Diamond Peak Caribbean Rum Cask Finished American single malt (Batch 3; 2024 Release), 45%, $85

A blend of 6-9 year old single malts, this was barreled into casks that previously held a variety of Caribbean rums from Barbados, Dominican Republic, and Martinique. Brown sugar, vanilla fudge, butterscotch, and toasted coconut coat the palate. The sweeter notes are well-tempered by dry oakiness.

90 points - Dunbrody Small Batch Caribbean Rum Cask Irish single grain, 45%, $50

Fully aged, not finished in rum barrels, this single grain is made from 93% corn, 2% rye, and 5% barley and has a distinctly sweet, fruity profile. It has flavors of lime zest, creamy custard, tangerine peel, peach, mango, and tangy spice, with a finish of sweet tropical fruits, vanilla, and peppery spice.

90 points - Old Forester 117 Series Rum Finished bourbon , 47.5%, $60

This marks the first time Old Forester has used a rum cask for finishing; its breakout expression was finished for 6 months in casks that previously held rum for 4 years. The palate has a smooth texture and balanced sweetness with flavors of red fruit and light spice.

90 points - West Cork Maritime Release Rum Cask Finished Irish single malt whiskey, 46%, $75

The Maritime series is a nod to the distillery’s home in Cork, located about 7 miles from the Celtic Sea. This rum-cask finished expression joins port, calvados, sherry, and virgin oak-cask finished whiskeys in the series. On the palate, the cask finish is evident with vanilla, toasted coconut, and a hint of overripe bananas balanced by toasted barley and a hint of citrus.

90 points - Yellowstone Special Finishes Collection Rum Cask Finished bourbon, 50%, $50

Yellowstone’s first rum cask-finished bourbon was aged 4 years and finished for 9 weeks in Cuban rum casks. The palate is lush with poached pear, blackberry jam, and blueberries, plus toasted marshmallow, marzipan, brown sugar, and maple syrup, all balanced by earthier notes of pepper spice and tobacco.

89 points - Penelope Cooper Series: Havana Maple Syrup & Rum Barrel Double Cask Finished bourbon, 46.5%, $80

This wheated MGP bourbon is finished in rum casks for 1 year, and then maple syrup barrels for 1 month. The result is a decadently sweet whiskey, blooming from the glass with aromas of bananas Foster, maple syrup, vanilla ice cream, and an undertone of rum funk.

88 points - Barrell Seagrass Martinique Rum, Madeira, and Apricot Brandy Finished rye, 59.65%, $90

A blend of American and Canadian ryes finished in a variety of casks, including Martinique rhum barrels. There's sweetness on the palate, but a chile powder heat serves as counterweight when things become spicier—quite different from its dulcet start, though water evens out the balance. The finish reveals cinnamon-raisin cake and Christmas spice.