Key West isn't just about sunsets and island cool—it's a rum lover's utopia. Sipper or connoisseur, the island distilleries bring you into an up-close-and-personal experience of artisanal rum making. From boutique-style spiced rums to tropicals with attitude, there's a Key West rum for everyone.
Let's team up to sample the island's finest distilleries, rum tours, and bottles you won't want to miss!
Best Rum Distilleries in Key West
Key West is home to some of the most unique and historic distilleries in Florida. Each location has its own story, distillation process, and signature flavors that make their rums stand out. Whether you’re looking for a smooth vanilla-infused rum, a bold spiced rum, or a refreshing key lime-infused spirit, there’s something here for every rum enthusiast.
1. Key West First Legal Rum Distillery
As the name indicates, this is the first-ever legal rum distillery in Key West, and history geeks and rum aficionados alike will be sure to be fascinated. Handcrafted Florida sugarcane rums are their specialty here, such as their legendary Key Lime Rum and Dark Vanilla Rum. Don't miss their interactive rum distillery tour and catch a glimpse behind the scenes at the rum-making process and even get a mojito-making class in your background.
Address: 105 Simonton St, Key West, FL
Must-Try:
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Key Lime Rum – Spicy island treat
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Vanilla Dark Rum – Smooth with deep, sweet flavor
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Devil's Rum – Spicy rum with full-bodied punch
2. Papa's Pilar Rum Distillery
Ernest Hemingway named this one, and Papa's Pilar condenses some of the finest Florida rum, marrying American and Caribbean rums into bold and dashing spirits. Their distillery provides tours during which clients can find out about Hemingway roots and taste their famous dark and blonde rum in Key West.
Where to Find It: 201 Simonton St, Key West, FL
Must-Try:
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Papa's Pilar Dark Rum – Aged in bourbon casks for a deep, complex taste
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Blonde Rum – Luxurious light rum ideal for mixing
3. Hemingway Rum Company – Rum Row
The second Hemingway tribute makes artisanal rum with an intense Caribbean-flavored flavor. Its Rum Distillery Tour is a peek behind the scenes with the aging and blending and includes tastings of its Cuban Coffee Rum and Salt Cured Rum.
Where to Find It: 201 Front St, Key West, FL
Must-Try
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Cuban Coffee Rum – a coffee-flavored rum ideal for use in cocktails
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Salt Cured Rum – particularly salt-cured distilled to give the flavor a further boost
Best Key West Rum Tours
You can taste rum culture if you want to in Key West and a rum tour is where you should do it. Rum tours take you behind the scenes of the island's best distilleries, where you'll be able to sample rare rums, participate in master distiller meetings, and learn about the art of rum making. If a walking tour, boat tour, or even a private tasting appointment is what you want, then there are many different options to pick from.
1. Key West Rum Distillery Tour
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Visits different distilleries with tastings
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Explore Key West's rum-making heritage
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Learn about the history of Key West's legal rum
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Sample special and limited-edition rums
2. Sunset Rum Tasting Cruise
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Enjoy tropical rum sailing by Key West's world-famous sunset
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Features pineapple rum, metal rum, and spiced rum made in-house
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Perfect for a night on the town or a fun date with a friend
3. Private Rum & Cigar Experience
Discover Spanish rum and Cuban cigars, a true island treat
Get professional advice from local authorities regarding rum aging and cigar production
Where to Purchase the Best Key West Rum
Taking a bottle of rum home from Key West is the best way to reminisce about your island vacation. A few distilleries have rums for sale at the distillery, but some other ones sell them online or at local liquor shops. Some special releases of the rum are available at souvenir shops that you may not get anywhere else.
Some of the best places where you can purchase Key West rum are:
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Key West First Legal Rum Distillery (Online & On-Site)
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Papa's Pilar (Located throughout the nation)
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Local Liquor Stores – Just ask for blue bottle whiskey, bourbon bottles, or blue bottle rum
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Souvenir Shops – Some offer Robert the Doll Rum, a haunted island favorite
Why Key West is a Rum Lover's Dream
Key West distilleries provide a combination of history, experience, and strong flavor that make Key West a destination worth visiting for rum lovers. Whether one is traveling to obtain a Key West rum tasting, to enjoy a devil bottle rum, or to carry with them the best rum runner in Key West, the possibilities are endless and breathtaking.
Ready for a Key West rum experience? Go on a tour, purchase a bottle, and toast to island living!
Salutes to discovering Key West's wonderful rum culture!