Rum Wars, Pt. 2: The World’s Most Expensive Rum

Words by Jesse Serwer—

A couple weeks ago we brought you word of Appleton Estate’s Jamaica Independence Reserve, a 50-year, $5,000 bottle of rum produced to commemorate next month’s 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence, which parent company J. Wray and Nephew claims to be the most mature rum on the market.  Not to be outdone by their Jamaican rivals, Angostura is producing what it says will be the world’s most expensive rum to commemorate Trinidad’s own 50th anniversary, happening three weeks after Jamaica’s big day on Aug. 31. T&T’s top rum brand will produce only 20 500-mL bottles of Legacy by Angostura, which will retail for  TT$160,000, or $25,000 US—about $1,200 a nip. Awoah.

We can’t say for sure that the two brands and countries are trying to outdo one another, but the way we see it this is the biggest rum clash since Beenie and Vybz’s slightly more affordable entries into the market a year ago.