E. León Jimenes 110 Aniversario Named “Best in Show”
The 2026 Ultimate Awards – Favorite Sipping Rum Competition, presented in partnership with the prestigious Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), concluded on February 5, 2026 at Total Wine & More South Beach, during the official weekend of the Miami Rum Congress.
Bringing together leading rum producers from across the globe, the competition evaluated exceptional sipping rums through blind tastings conducted by a distinguished panel of WSET-certified judges and internationally respected guest experts. Entries were assessed on balance, complexity, aroma, flavor, and finish, with top honors awarded to expressions that best exemplified excellence and craftsmanship within their respective categories.
🏆 BEST IN SHOW
E. León Jimenes 110 Aniversario Rum — Gold Medal / Best 8+ Years Aged Rum | Best in Show
🥇 CATEGORY WINNERS
Unaged Rums
- Burdekin Rum Virgin Cane Spirit — Gold / Best Unaged Rum
Gold Medals:
- Copalli Organic White Rum
- Saint James Rhum Agricole Blanc 55%
Silver Medals:
- Saint James Rhum Agricole Blanc 40%
- Stade’s Rum Barbados Beach Vat No. 1
Bronze Medals:
- Burdekin Rum Distillers Edition – JP Edition
- Providence Dunder & Syrup Rum
1–3 Years Aged Rums
- Hampden Estate 1753 — Gold / Best 1–3 Years Aged Rum
Gold Medals:
- Ron Abuelo Añejo
- Copalli Organic Barrel Rested Rum
- Burdekin Rum Vintage Cane Spirit
Silver Medal:
- Saint James Rhum Agricole Royal Ambre 40%
Bronze Medals:
- Ron Abuelo Añejo Blanco
- Burdekin Rum Distillers Edition – Burnt Cane Spirit
- Burdekin Rum Distillers Edition – Premium VO Rum
- Burdekin Rum Premium Aged Rum
4–7 Years Aged Rums
- Ron Abuelo 7 Year — Gold / Best 4–7 Years Aged Rum
Gold Medal:
- Ron Tepuy Destino
Silver Medals:
- Ron Tepuy Monumento
- Desert Diamond Distiller D3 Gold Miner Barrel Reserve 6 YRS Rum
- Ozama Rum Gran Añejo
8+ Years Aged Rums
- E. León Jimenes 110 Aniversario Rum — Gold / Best 8+ Years Aged Rum | Best in Show
Gold Medals:
- Dos Maderas Rum Origen Thailand
- Ron Abuelo 12 Years Rum
- Ron Abuelo Two Oaks Rum
- Wicked Dolphin Oak 10 Years
- E. León Jimenes 1903 Rum
- Shakara Thailand Rum 12 Years
Silver Medal:
- Desert Diamond Distiller D3 Gold Miner Barrel Reserve Rum 10 YRS
Flavored Rums
- Copalli Organic Cacao Rum — Gold / Best Flavored Rum
Gold Medals:
- Planteray Rum Cut & Dry Coconut
Silver Medals:
- Big 5 Cafecito Rum
- Reif Rum
Bronze Medals:
- Bacan Guaro Azul (24%)
- Bacan Guaro Naranja (29%)
- Big 5 Coconut Rum
- Homosassa Distillery Mangrove Bay Black Rum
- Karnak Rum
- Desert Diamond Distiller Gold Miner Agave Rum
👩⚖️ JUDGING PANEL
WSET Judges
- Rob McCaughey – WSET Level III
- Rhiannon Enlil – WSET Level III
- Deniece Bourne – WSET Level III
- Lisa Belczyk – WSET Level III
- Lyn Farmer – WSET Level III
- Shawn Martin – WSET Level III
- Ramon Almao – WSET Level I
Guest Judges
- Rodrigo Iturbide – Unidos por el Ron
- Daniel Gonzalez – Unidos por el Ron
- Matt Pietrek – Historian & Author
- Troy Arquiza – Bacardí Rum Master Blender
- Raul Bejar – Unidos por el Ron
ABOUT THE ULTIMATE AWARDS
The Ultimate Awards are dedicated to recognizing excellence in premium spirits through blind judging, technical evaluation, and professional tasting standards. The Favorite Sipping Rum Competition highlights rums intended to be enjoyed neat or with minimal dilution, showcasing balance, complexity, and craftsmanship.
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