Rum

Ah, eggnog. Creamy, sweet and a pale golden hue, this drink is basically synonymous with Christmas. But the true star of this heady mixture of beaten eggs, sugar and cream or milk? The booze, of course. While traditional eggnog can be spiked with everything from bourbon to Sherry to brandy, rum is a particularly popular option—and for good reason. With dark sugar overtones and deeply spicy character, rum provides a uniquely complex foundation for this dessert-like quaff. “It plays well with the nutmeg and the cinnamon aspect of [eggnog],” says Wine Enthusiast’s senior tasting coordinator Craig Chamberlain. “Once anything—spirit-wise or wine-wise really—spends some time in a barrel, you'll pick up a lot of those flavors as well." But what kind is best in eggnog? There are many different styles of rum, so the answer isn’t always obvious. Do you prefer rum that’s pricey or budget-friendly? White rum or spiced rum? We turned to Chamberlain for some of his favorite bottles. But first, we had some questions. What Kind of Rum Goes Best with Eggnog? “I like something with a little bit more body and flavor than say, just like a silver [or white rum],” says Chamberlain. “Those are good, but I feel like you can bring more to the party—the party being eggnog.” That’s why he prefers a spiced rum or an aged rum. That said, if you’re into more light-flavored, unaged white rum? Chart your own eggnog journey, friend. How Do You Elevate Eggnog? With a next-level rum, of course. “I would go to something aged, for instance, something that's has a few years—at least five, preferably more than 10,” says Chamberlain. These offerings provide a “rounder flavor” that “mellows out a little bit over time to bring out some nuances.” What’s a Good Eggnog Hack? Homemade eggnog is great and all, but there’s no shame in the store-bought game. “Totally cheat and buy something at the store premade,” Chamberlain suggests. “There are actually a couple of liquor brands that have non-alcoholic selections at your local grocery store,” he says—Southern Comfort, being one. Make them your own by doctoring with your favorite rum selection. Excited to whip up some eggnog of your own? Here are rum bottles that Chamberlain thinks shine brightly in eggnog. The Best Rums for Eggnog Best Overall: Diplomatico Seleccion De Familia Best Budget: Cockspur Five Star Fine Rum Best Splurge: Holmes Cay Guyana Port Mourant Demerara 2005 Single Cask Rum Best White Rum: Dead Parrot Silver Rum Best Spiced Rum: Crusoe Spiced Rum Best Aged Rum: The Real McCoy Aged 14 Years Limited Edition Rum Best Dark Rum: Mount Gay Black Barrel Best Caribbean: Barceló Imperial Onyx Rum Why You Should Trust Us All products featured here are independently selected by our team, which is comprised of experienced writers and wine tasters and overseen by editorial professionals at Wine Enthusiast headquarters. All ratings and reviews are performed blind in a controlled setting and reflect the parameters of our 100-point scale. Wine Enthusiast does not accept payment to conduct any product review, though we may earn a commission on purchases made through links on this site. Prices were accurate at the time of publication.