World Rum Day, celebrated on the second Saturday of July, marks the history, craftsmanship and diversity of one of the world’s most varied spirits categories, shaped as much by place and people as process. Coinciding with the occasion this year is The Whisky Exchange’s annual Rum Show, bringing together producers, enthusiasts and experts for a weekend celebrating the sugar cane spirit.

From iconic Caribbean producers to exciting independent bottlers pushing the category in new directions, Rum Show returns to Glaziers Hall on London’s Southbank on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 July with 40+ producers and over 350 rums to discover. Among these will be two new exclusives debuting at the show, including a rare rum from the now-closed Ten Cane Distillery and a second exclusive, with further details to be revealed on the day.

Across the weekend, expert-led main stage talks, masterclasses and cocktails from Trailer Happiness and Laki Kane run alongside the tasting stands, offering the chance to taste widely, discover new favourites and meet the people behind the bottles.

At the heart of every bottle is a strong sense of community and place. Reflecting that, The Whisky Exchange will be supporting The Association of Jamaicans UK Trust (AOJUK) and its Hurricane Melissa Appeal, with proceeds from all Main Stage talk tickets donated to support communities affected by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica.

Tickets start from £50 and are available here: Rum Show

From award-winning classics to limited exclusive bottlings, these are a few standout rums to seek out this World Rum Day.

Ten Cane 2012 12 Year Old Holmes Cay,  £110 59% ABV- The Whisky Exchange exclusive

Debuting at Rum Show, this rare release comes from the now-closed Ten Cane Distillery and was distilled in 2012 before ageing across Trinidad, the UK and New York State. Honeyed citrus and ripe banana give way to layers of toffee, brown sugar and gentle baking spice, leading into a long finish of vanilla cream and caramel in a cask-strength bottling limited to just 146 bottles.

Mount Gay Select Blend 7 Year Old, £73.95 54% ABV- The Whisky Exchange exclusive

The world’s first exclusively bottled Mount Gay rum, this seven-year-old Barbadian blend is drawn from carefully selected casks, balancing fruity spirit with sweet and spicy oak. Shaped by the island’s tropical climate, it showcases Mount Gay’s classic butterscotch sweetness alongside notes of tropical fruit and warming spice.

Hampden Estate 1753, £59.50 46%

Named in honour of the distillery’s founding year, Hampden Estate 1753 was awarded The Whisky Exchange’s Spirit of the Year 2026. Aged for three years in ex-bourbon barrels and fermented using wild yeast, it delivers Hampden’s signature high-ester style with layers of pineapple, banana, toffee, herbal funk and hints of petrol and nutmeg. Long fermentation and traditional pot-still distillation create an expressive rum that reflects nearly 300 years of Jamaican rum heritage.