Spiced Rum
Spiced Rum: A Warming Classic with a Modern Twist
If regular rum’s subtle sweetness isn’t quite bold enough for your taste, spiced rum might be your perfect pour. Infused with warm, aromatic spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and clove, spiced rum delivers a rich, flavorful kick that’s as enjoyable neat or over ice as it is in a cocktail. But spiced rum isn’t just a modern trend, its roots go way back. Originating in the 17th century, rum became a daily staple for sailors in the Royal Navy, who were given a half-pint ration of the spirit while navigating the Caribbean seas. Over time, rum evolved from a maritime staple to a beloved tropical favorite.
Today, spiced rum is leading the charge in the rum category, with more flavor-forward and craft-distilled options than ever before. It’s typically made from sugarcane molasses and aged in oak barrels, just like dark or golden rum. What sets it apart is the addition of natural spices, which are blended in during the final stages of aging, usually about one to six months before bottling, creating a deeper complexity and smoother finish.
Not all spiced rums are created equal. Aging times, distillation methods, and spice blends vary widely between brands. From a smooth Caribbean-style rum with hints of vanilla and caramel, to a bolder bottle with peppercorn and citrus notes, there’s a spiced rum out there to match your vibe.
At Juicefly Spirits, we carry a premium selection of spiced rums from top-rated distilleries, all available for same-day delivery in Los Angeles. Hosting a backyard party in Venice or mixing cocktails in Hollywood, we'll bring the flavor straight to your door.
What Are the Different Types of Spiced Rum?
While all spiced rum starts with a base of aged rum and added botanicals, the real magic lies in the spice blend and no two bottles are exactly the same. Most producers use a mix of Caribbean spices, but each brand typically keeps its exact recipe under wraps, creating a wide range of flavor profiles to explore. Below is a breakdown of the different styles and what makes each one unique:
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Traditional Caribbean Spiced Rum: This style is what most people think of when they hear "spiced rum." It usually starts with a blend of aged rums distilled from molasses or sugarcane juice, then infused with a classic mix of spices such as cinnamon, vanilla, allspice, nutmeg, clove and black pepper. These rums are smooth and warming with a touch of sweetness, ideal for sipping, mixing, or serving in tropical-style cocktails.
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Craft & Small-Batch Spiced Rum: Craft distilleries are redefining spiced rum with unique, artisanal blends. In addition to the classic Caribbean spices, you might find bold flavor notes like ginger, coffee, cacao, cardamom, toasted nuts, rose petals and herbal infusions. These small-batch rums often use local ingredients and innovative aging techniques, offering layered, nuanced flavors perfect for rum enthusiasts who want something different.
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Fruit-Forward Spiced Rum: Some spiced rums lean into tropical or citrus-forward flavors by incorporating natural fruit extracts or infusions. These can include orange peel, banana, pineapple, mango, lime and passionfruit. These vibrant, fruity variations are ideal for summer cocktails or tiki drinks with a bright, punchy profile.
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Dessert-Style or Sweet Spiced Rum: For those who prefer a sweeter sip, some spiced rums are blended with flavors like honey, caramel, toasted coconut, chocolate and vanilla bean. These dessert-style rums are smooth and indulgent, great for sipping over ice or mixing into dessert cocktails.
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High-Proof & Navy Strength Spiced Rum: High-proof spiced rums usually contain 50% ABV or more, offering bold intensity and a powerful flavor punch. Navy Strength rum, traditionally bottled at 57% ABV, is a nod to the Royal Navy’s historical rum rations. These rums are perfect for stronger cocktails or those who prefer a more robust spirit.
How Is Spiced Rum Made?
Spiced rum may taste modern, but its origins go back centuries. After sugarcane was introduced to the Caribbean during the 15th century, distillers eventually discovered that fermenting and distilling molasses, the thick byproduct of sugar production, could create a strong, flavorful spirit: rum. Over time, local Caribbean communities began infusing their rum with spices, herbs, and dried fruit like orange peel, creating early versions of what we now know as spiced rum. While it wasn’t until the 1980s that spiced rum hit the global stage, thanks in part to Captain Morgan, the tradition of adding botanicals to rum is deeply rooted in island culture.
The Modern Spiced Rum Process
Today, making spiced rum involves a few essential steps, combining traditional rum production with creative flavor infusion:
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Fermentation & Distillation: Most spiced rums start with sugarcane molasses or juice. The raw material is fermented and then distilled, often using column stills to produce a clean, refined spirit.
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Aging in Oak Barrels: After distillation, the rum is aged, typically in charred oak or ex-bourbon barrels. This process gives the rum its signature amber color and enhances its depth with warm, woody undertones.
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Infusing with Spices: Toward the end of the aging process, or sometimes post-aging, the rum is infused with a proprietary blend of spices. Common additions include cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, allspice, vanilla, star anise, cardamom, citrus peel and ginger. Some distillers even add toasted nuts, honey, or tropical fruit to create richer, more complex profiles.
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Resting & Blending: Once the spices are added, the rum is left to rest in sealed containers to allow the flavors to marry. This resting period is crucial for developing the smooth, aromatic finish that defines quality spiced rum.
The result is a flavorful spirit with depth, warmth, and character that’s ideal for sipping neat, over ice, or in cocktails.
How to Sip Spiced Rum Like a Pro
Sipping spiced rum is more than just taking a drink, it’s about appreciating the craftsmanship, spices, and story behind every bottle. Follow these simple steps to elevate your spiced rum experience:
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Choose the Right Glass: Skip the plastic cup, opt for a tulip-shaped glass or Glencairn with a narrow mouth. These help concentrate the aromas so you can fully appreciate the rum’s spice blend before you even taste it.
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Look at the Color: Hold your glass up to the light and take a moment to observe the rum’s color. From golden amber to deep mahogany, the hue offers clues about its age, barrel contact, and flavor intensity.
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Swirl & Sniff: Gently swirl the rum to release its aromas. Bring the glass to your nose and take a slow inhale. Can you detect warm vanilla? Maybe hints of cinnamon, citrus peel, or toasted oak? Spiced rum is full of character and the nose is where it all begins.
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Sip Slowly: Take a small sip and let it roll across your palate. Is it sweet or spicy? Bold or mellow? Let the flavors reveal themselves in layers, the best spiced rums unfold over time.
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Pay Attention to Texture: Is the mouthfeel smooth, velvety, or a little fiery? A well-crafted spiced rum will have a balanced texture that tells you something about its aging and spice integration.
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Notice the Finish: The final impression is just as important as the first. A quality spiced rum will leave a lingering warmth, with notes of clove, caramel, or even dark chocolate.
Bonus Tip: Hosting a tasting night in DTLA, Venice, or the Hollywood Hills? Juicefly Spirits can deliver your curated rum lineup same-day chilled and ready to pour.
Spiced Rum Delivery in Los Angeles & Nationwide Shipping
Craving bold, flavorful spiced rum? Juicefly Spirits makes it fast, easy, and secure to get your favorite bottles delivered right to your door. From smooth Caribbean classics to bold small-batch craft blends, our curated selection of premium spiced rum is available for same-day delivery in Los Angeles or nationwide shipping across the U.S.
If you're in LA, we can deliver in under 60 minutes, depending on your location. We serve all major neighborhoods including Downtown Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Venice, Pasadena, Culver City, Beverly Hills, and beyond. Your order is hand-delivered by our trusted local team with real-time tracking, so you know exactly when to expect your bottle.
Outside of California? No problem. Juicefly Spirits ships spiced rum and other top-shelf spirits nationwide. Every order is packed with care using secure, protective packaging to ensure your bottle arrives safely and discreetly.
Please Note: You must be 21 or older to purchase alcohol. An adult signature is required upon delivery.