The 10 Largest Rum Brands In The World

Rum is recognized as one of the oldest spirits globally. Historically, it is claimed to be the first liquor consumed purely for pleasure rather than medicinal purposes.

While various rum-like beverages have existed throughout history, the rum we know today was first distilled in 1620. It originated from the ingenuity of enslaved individuals on Caribbean sugarcane plantations, who found that molasses—a byproduct of sugar refining—could be fermented into alcohol.

The United States saw its first rum distillery established in 1664, just 44 years after rum’s initial discovery. Today, rum represents a thriving multi-billion-dollar industry in the U.S., generating over $8 billion in sales in 2020.

Despite its popularity, rum does not hold the title of the top-selling spirit. In the U.S., vodka and whiskey maintain their positions as leaders in sales, with rum ranking third.

10 Largest Rum Brands in the World

1. Bacardi. Hamilton, Bermuda

   Parent Company: N/A; Family-Owned
   2023 Annual Revenue: $4.6 billion
   Current CEO: Mahesh Madhavan
   Followers on Instagram: 6.2k

   Founded in 1862 by Don Facundo Bacardi Masso in Santiago de Cuba, Bacardi Rum is arguably the most recognized name in rum. Their ascent began early, with the rum winning a gold medal at the Exposición Universal de Barcelona in 1888. The brand expanded internationally in 1910 with operations opening in Barcelona, Spain.

   They later opened facilities in New York City to meet rising demand in the U.S. However, due to Prohibition in the 1920s, the NYC facility was shut down. Bacardi actively promoted travel to Cuba, where their rum was still legal.

   The Bacardi family, like many others, fled Cuba in 1960 amid the revolution and Castro’s government takeover. Anticipating this outcome, they were ready to continue operations in the U.S., Spain, and other countries.

   By 1979, Bacardi became the world’s best-selling premium spirit brand—an impressive feat for a company owned by the same family for seven generations. Beyond Bacardi rum, the company also owns several renowned spirit brands, including Grey Goose vodka, Patron tequila, and Bombay Sapphire gin.

   In the U.S., they sell a rum brand called Havana Club, which should not be confused with the Havana Club further down the list, despite both holding rights to the original Arechabala family recipe.

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2. Barcelo. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

   Parent Company: Ron Barcelo S.R.L.
   2023 Annual Revenue: $2.851 billion
   Current CEO: Alberto Nogueira
   Followers on Instagram: 5.3k

   Founded in 1930 by Julian Barcelo as Barcelo Co., this Caribbean-based rum brand began its journey with various local experiments before launching the Ron Barcelo brand in 1950. The company has operated under this name ever since, typically shortened to Barcelo.

   In the 1990s, Spanish businessmen acquired export rights to Ron Barcelo, leading to the formation of Ron Barcelo S.R.L., which remains under the Barcelo family’s oversight.

3. Tanduay. Manila, Philippines

   Parent Company: Lucio Tan Group (a subsidiary of Tangent Holdings Corporation)
   2023 Annual Revenue: $21.492 million
   Current CEO: Lucio Tan
   Followers on Instagram: 8.5k

   Founded as a distillery in Hagonoy, Bulacan, in 1854, Tanduay Rum officially received its name in the 1930s. While it has a rich history, Tanduay gained international acclaim only recently, being declared the World’s Number One Rum by Drinks International magazine. In 2017, it surpassed Bacardi to become the top-selling rum brand by volume globally.

   Currently, Tanduay serves as the official rum of Barclays Center in New York City and is a recognized sponsor of various events, including the Emmy Awards.

   In 1988, the company was acquired by Lucio Tan, who continues to serve as CEO, with his grandson, Lucio “Hun Hun” Tan III, appointed as COO and President in 2019.

4. Captain Morgan. London, England

   Parent Company: Diageo
   2023 Annual Revenue: $12.7 million
   Current CEO: Ivan Menezes
   Followers on Instagram: 12.3k

   Named after Sir Henry Morgan, a Welshman who became governor of Jamaica, Captain Morgan was originally produced from a distillery purchased by Seagram in 1944. The brand has grown significantly and continues to offer various expressions of rum.

5. McDowell’s No. 1. Bengaluru, India

   Parent Company: United Spirits Limited (a subsidiary of Diageo)
   2023 Annual Revenue: N/A
   Current CEO: Ms. Hina Nagarajan
   Followers on Instagram: 22.1k

   McDowell’s No. 1, primarily known for its whiskey, launched its rum products in the early 1990s. Their dark rum, McDowell’s No. 1 Celebration, has gained substantial popularity and has consistently ranked among the top five rum brands globally.

6. Havana Club. Havana, Cuba

   Parent Company: Pernod Ricard
   2023 Annual Revenue: N/A
   Current CEO: Christian Barre
   Followers on Instagram: 11.3k

   Founded in 1878, the Archebala family created Havana Club, which became widely known in Cuba and the U.S. However, following the Castro government takeover in 1960, they lost ownership. Today, Pernod Ricard runs a joint venture with the Cuban government to produce and sell Havana Club internationally, except in the U.S., where Bacardi holds rights to another version of the brand.

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7. Old Port. Bangalore, India

   Parent Company: Amrut Distillery (a subsidiary of N.R. Jagdale Group)
   2023 Annual Revenue: N/A
   Current CEO: N R Jagdale
   Followers on Instagram: 1.2k

   Producing nearly two million cases globally, Old Port is part of Amrut Distilleries, primarily known for its single malt whisky. The company made its foray into rum production in 2010, which has proven successful.

8. Bozkov. Czech Republic

   Parent Company: Stock Spirits Group
   2023 Annual Revenue: N/A
   Current CEO: Mirek Stachowicz
   Followers on Instagram: 6.2k

   Bozkov is celebrated for producing Czech “Tuzemský” or “Tuzemák,” a spirit distinct from traditional rum, crafted from sugar beets or potatoes. Recently, they have launched Bozkov Republica, producing traditional rum from sugarcane.

9. Appleton Estate. Siloah, Jamaica

   Parent Company: J. Wray Nephew (a subsidiary of Lascelles deMercado Co.)
   2023 Annual Revenue: N/A
   Current CEO: Ian Maxwell
   Followers on Instagram: 55.1k

   With a history dating back to 1749, Appleton Estate is the oldest rum producer on this list. They cultivate their sugarcane on-site, utilizing a unique yeast strain in production. Joy Spence, the first female Master Blender in the industry, currently leads their blending operations.

10. Negrita. Réunion, Guadeloupe, and Martinique, France

    Parent Company: La Martiniquaise
    2023 Annual Revenue: N/A
    Current CEO: Jean-Pierre Cayard
    Followers on Instagram: 5.4k

    Negrita was established in 1857 by Paul Badinet, inspired by Caribbean rum-making techniques. Though it has gained popularity, particularly in France and Spain, the brand’s name has faced criticism due to its associations with colonial history.

Largest Rum Brands in the World FAQ

1. How much rum was sold in the U.S. in 2023?

   Rum sales volume reached approximately 24.06 million 9-liter cases in 2023. The global rum industry has a market size of $15.87 billion and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.81% through 2027.

2. What is the largest rum brand in the world?

   Bacardi remains the largest rum brand globally. Their annual revenue stands at $4.6 billion, while Barcelo follows as the second largest with $2.851 billion.

Author

Samantha Goddiess

Samantha is a lifelong writer who has been writing professionally for the last six years. After graduating with honors from Greensboro College with a degree in English & Communications, she went on to find work as an in-house copywriter for several companies including Costume Supercenter, and Blueprint Education.