From Shamrocks to Spirits: Exploring the Emerald Isle’s Finest Irish Rums for St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

(Photo: Anna Church/Unsplash)

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, there’s no better time to delve into the world of Irish rums. Though the Emerald Isle is most well known for its whiskey making, its rums should not be overlooked. Rum can be distilled and bottled anywhere in the world, not just where sugar is commonly grown and is found in nearly every corner of the earth. So it makes perfect sense that the small island nation in Western Europe produces its own. 

Let’s take a deeper look at the distilleries of Ireland as we explore the rich heritage and distinctive flavors of the finest rums the country has to offer.

Blacks Rum 

(Photo: Blacks Brewing & Distilling)

Blacks was started by husband and wife duo Sam & Maudeline Black, what was at first a brewery slowly grew into a distillery that produces some of the most well-known whiskeys and rums in Ireland. In 2018, Blacks made history by producing Ireland’s first-ever rum that was distilled from start to finish in the nation in the distillery’s home of Kinsale in County Cork. The Distillery produces two core rums, Blacks Golden Rum and Blacks Spiced Irish Rum. The brewery and Distillery also produces small-batch limited edition rums. 

The Gold Rum is matured in single-malt Irish whiskey barrels which first aged the brand’s 12-year-old Blacks Irish Whiskey. The rum won a gold medal at the World Rum Awards 2020. Find out more about their rum and other spirits here.

Two Shores Premium Golden Rum 

(Photo: Two Shores Rum)

Two Shores specializes in taking rum from the shores of the Caribbean and finishing them on the shores of Ireland. The rum is made up of sustainably sourced 8-year-old premium golden rum distilled using only pure sugar cane in the heart of tropical Panama. It is finished further for a minimum of six months on the considerably less tropical region of the west coast of Ireland in a range of Irish whiskey casks. Two Shores produces a number of different cask finishes including a Cask Strength Peated, a Single Malt cask and an Oloroso Sherry Cask among others. See what Two Shores has to offer here. 

Copeland Rum

(Photo: Copeland Distillery)

Copeland Distillery is located in Northern Ireland in County Down. The distillery’s name takes its inspiration from the smugglers and contrabandists who would use the Copeland Islands in the North Irish Sea to smuggle rum, whiskey and tobacco into Ireland in the 17th and 18th centuries. The distillery produces two distinct rums, the Smuggler’s Reserve and an Overproof. Both are made from a blend of dark rum from Barbados and rum distilled at Copeland. Check out this distillery here. 

Killowen Distillery 

(Photo: Killowen Distillery)

Located in County Down, Killowen Distillery produces small-batch rums with a focus on quality and craftsmanship. The Dark Rum is made from sugar & blackstrap molasses and is distilled 2 and half times in a thumper keg before being aged using the triple cask Solera Method which blends young and old rums together for a complex yet smooth profile. The rums are completely distilled and aged in Ireland giving them a unique flavor profile. Learn more about Killowen here.

While the popularity of rum is growing across the world there will surely be even more Irish rums popping up. These are just a few examples of the diverse range of Irish rums available currently, each offering its own distinct character and story. Explore and taste your way through Ireland’s rum scene to discover your favorites this St. Patrick’s Day!

Sláinte!

Read Next:

The Best Rums for Whiskey Drinkers

Break Away From the Green Beer This St. Patrick’s Day With These 10 Gin Cocktails

9 Best Irish Whiskeys to Drink This St. Patrick’s Day

Here at The Daily Pour, we do more than write about current events in spirit. We are the only media property reviewing spirits and aggregating the scores and reviews of other significant voices in the spirit world in one place. If you’re interested in getting a shot of spirit in your morning email, sign up for our Whiskey Deal of the Day Newsletter