Three Monymusk Plantation rums win gold at 2026 Beverage Testing Institute Awards

CLARENDON, Jamaica -- Three rums from the Monymusk Plantation portfolio were awarded Gold Medals at the 2026 Beverage Testing Institute (BevTest) World Spirits Championship, manufacturer National Rums of Jamaica has announced. The company noted in a press release that its Monymusk Plantation White Overproof Rum scored 93 points; the Classic Gold Rum scored 93; and the Special Reserve Rum scored 92. All three earned Gold Medals from the Chicago-based competition, one of the longest-running spirits awards in the world, which evaluates entries through blind tastings by panels of trade professionals. The results featured in Forbes’ May 2026 round-up of the world’s best rums.“Being recognised by the Beverage Testing Institute is a proud moment for National Rums of Jamaica, the Monymusk brand, and Jamaica,” said Martha Miller, Chief Executive Officer of National Rums of Jamaica. “To have our White Overproof, Classic Gold and Special Reserve all recognised amongst the world’s best rums says a lot about the consistency and quality of what we produce across the portfolio.”She credited the team behind the rums. “A lot of credit must go to our technical, production, quality and blending teams who put tremendous care into what we do every day. Great rum does not happen by chance, Miller said. It takes expertise, consistency and a real commitment to quality over time.”The Forbes feature included tasting notes from the BevTest judging panel. The White Overproof was described as having “aromas of green banana, whipped cream, and sugar cookie, along with flavours of baking spices, pineapple, and toasted coconut. A great overproof rum with a creamy body and subtle sweet banana esters, perfect for cocktailing.” The Classic Gold drew notes of “dunder, charred wood, and pomegranate,” and was called “a complex, fruity rum to save for special occasions.” The Special Reserve was described as “an excellent choice for experienced drinkers.”The Monymusk Plantation portfolio is produced at the Clarendon Distillery in southern Jamaica, with ageing and blending also carried out there. The rums reflect the traditional Jamaican style of rum-making, with long fermentations, pot-still and column-still blending, and the high-ester, fruit-driven character known internationally as “Jamaican funk.”