How to Organize a Successful Rum Tasting Event

Jordan Cohen
7 mai
2 min de lecture

Not just shots. An experience.

You’re in the Caribbean, or at least dreaming of it. You’ve got good company, maybe a birthday, maybe just a Friday. And someone says: “We should do a rum tasting.” Perfect idea. But how do you go from "grab a few bottles" to an actual unforgettable rum experience? That’s where we come in.

At JC Bar Company, we’ve hosted our fair share of rum tastings in SXM — from private villas to beachfront setups — and here’s what we’ve learned.

Step 1: Set the Tone

Forget the stiff, sit-down “sniff and nod” tastings. Rum is fun. It’s stories, spice, sunshine. Decide what kind of vibe you’re after:

Chill & educational (think: friends around a table)
Festive & social (music, snacks, cocktail pairings)
Private luxury (you, a bartender, a view, and 5 aged rums from around the world)

Once you know the vibe, everything else falls into place.

Step 2: Pick Your Rums (Smartly)

More isn’t better. You don’t need 12 bottles. You need 5 to 6 rums max, and a story behind each one. Here’s a solid structure:

A white rum (light and floral)
A gold rum (touch of sweetness)
A spiced rum (vanilla, cinnamon, clove…)
A dark/aged rum (oak, caramel, depth)
One wild card (flavored, agricole, overproof…)

Try to mix origins: Dominican Republic, Martinique, Jamaica, Barbados, and of course — Saint Martin.

Step 3: Glasses & Order Matter

Use small tulip glasses if you have them. If not, any glass that narrows at the top will do (it helps trap the aromas). Serve rums neat, room temperature, and in order from lightest to boldest.

Between each, offer water and maybe a small bite — dark chocolate, dried mango, candied nuts. It’s not just tasty — it resets the palate.

Step 4: Bring the Stories

Rum is history in a bottle. Bring some fun facts, even just a few lines:

Where it’s from
How it’s made (molasses vs cane juice)
What to expect in flavor
Maybe a pirate reference (always works)

If you’re hosting it, you don’t need to be an expert. You just need to care. Passion’s contagious.

Step 5: Add a Twist

Want to go further? Here are a few pro tips:

End with a rum cocktail using one of the rums from the tasting
Include a blind tasting round for fun
Hand out little scorecards for everyone to rate their favorites
Pair each rum with a small bite or dessert — chocolate, plantain chips, grilled pineapple…

And if you want to go all out: bring in a private bartender, and let them guide you through it like a local pro.

Ready to Host One in SXM?

That’s exactly what we do. JC Bar Company offers private rum tasting experiences anywhere on the island — at your villa, on the beach, or wherever you want to bring a bit of Caribbean magic. We bring the rums, the glassware, the knowledge… and yeah, a few surprises too.

Check out our website or DM us on Instagram if you’re ready to turn your evening into something guests will actually remember.

A good rum warms your chest. A great tasting warms the whole night. Let’s make it great.