The Great White North
Canada’s climate is not suited to sugarcane growing as most regions experience cold winters as temperatures drop below zero, except perhaps for the West Coast. Central southern interior plains have warm summers, more suited to grain crops. As one of the world’s largest grain producers, this has naturally led to more grain spirits production like whisky, vodka, or gin than rum. However, rum was actually the first alcohol to be distilled here.
The world’s second-largest country features the Rocky Mountains, the ancient Canadian Shield, vast Great Lakes, more lakes than all other countries combined, and the world’s longest coastline. From the spectacular Niagara Falls, St. Lawrence River, remote Arctic Archipelago, fertile Prairies, and some of the largest forests in the world.
The fur trade played a significant role in the early development of the Canadian alcohol trade, with rum and brandy exchanged for animal skins. The Eastern maritime provinces have strong historical and geographical ties to rum, dating back to the 1700s when coastal communities traded with the Caribbean, particularly Jamaica. This exchange of rum and molasses for saltfish has left a lasting influence on regional rum preferences.
British Columbia
In the West, between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains are stunning coastlines for outdoor adventures and a temperate climate. Its largest city, Vancouver, serves as a gateway to ski resorts and the Asia-Pacific region but is over 3000 miles from Canada’s traditional rum hub.
Bira! Rum
77 Spirits Inc., founded in 2017, is a pioneering importer of craft rums. Karl Mudzamba, an independent bottler, sources, and bottles unique rums from around the world. Motivated by the scarcity of diverse rum options in Canada, he created Bira Rum, a flagship brand inspired by his Zimbabwean heritage. Bira is a Shona ritual honoring ancestral spirits that embodies the rich cultural traditions that have shaped Karl’s vision. Launched three years ago, Bira Rum is the first brand and they plan to expand across Canada.
The 3 releases so far are a South Pacific 12yr from Fiji, fully tropically aged, and 2 Mhoba rums from South Africa. Another 3 expressions are coming out in a few weeks; a 15-year-old fully tropically aged Venezuelan rum from the Sofa Distillery. The other two are 6 and 7-year-old cane juice rums from Poisson Distillery on Marie Galante, Guadeloupe. Both are fully continentally aged with 6 years in Cognac casks and the older release is a further year in bourbon and rye casks. Locally, they recommend the Shameful Tiki Room, Keefer Bar, and the Westin Bayshore Hotel as places to enjoy Bira! Rum.
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Stealth Craft Distillers
Founded in 2006 is a family-owned business in North Vancouver. Known for Stealth Vodka. Stealth West Coast Rum Toasted Coconut was introduced in 2021, it’s triple-distilled molasses rum infused with toasted organic coconut.
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Alberta
The Wild Rose Country in the heartlands has landscapes of vast prairies, and stunning Rocky Mountains, and is chock full of wildlife. With major hubs like Calgary and Edmonton and the world-renowned Banff National Park, the province is a must-visit destination. It is one of the world’s largest malt barley producers and home to some of Canada’s best rum.
Latitude 55 Distilling Co.
Grande Prairie’s first craft distillery was established in 2019 in The Old Firehall in downtown Grande Prairie. Kakwa Rum, the first craft rum made in Alberta is named after Kakwa Falls, a Northern Alberta landmark. Distilled in Grande Prairie from blackstrap molasses and aged in bourbon barrels, the range is released as a Barrel Series.
Latitude 55 is a destination serving local cuisine paired with cocktails. You can book a behind-the-scenes tour of the distillery, order a premium spirit flight in the tasting room, tapas-style bites in the dining room, or out on the patio dining to enjoy cocktails.
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Romero Distilling Company
Diego Romero came to Canada from Spain in the early 60s as a child. He retired from a career in mineral engineering in 2018 and co-founded Romero Distilling Co. in Calgary with his son Tomas. As the first distillery in western Canada dedicated to rum production, they were inspired by the local Prohibition-era rum running from the Blairmore Hotel in the Crowsnest Pass. Production began and they opened their tasting room in 2019 and is now the largest rum distillery in Canada.
The rum is made from Crosby’s fancy and blackstrap molasses, then distilled on a custom-made Canadian copper pot still and aged in freshly emptied bourbon barrels from Woodford Reserve and finished in Oloroso Sherry casks from Jerez. The range includes; Hitman Edition – Romero Dark Rum, Dark Rum – Bourbon Barrel Aged, Amber Rum – Sherry Cask Finish. You can book a Custom Cask Tour, The Cocktail Bar, or host events. The tasting room has a Prohibition Era theme with upscale food and cocktails to enjoy.
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Manitoba
In the centre of Canada, this land of lakes and forests has Winnipeg as the capital. Churchill is famous for its spectacular northern lights display and is also the polar bear capital of the world. With four distinct seasons, the climate is continental, with cold winters and hot summers, ideal for outdoor adventures and wildlife encounters.
Patent 5 Distillery
In a former livery stable turned craft distillery in the heart of Winnipeg’s historic Exchange District of is Manitoba’s only rum. The artisanal distillery was founder and co-owned by Brock Coutts in 2019. Named after the patent for the column still, the fifth patent issued by Canada, back in 1869. The rum is made using a unique combination of Crosby’s fancy grade and blackstrap molasses.
They double distill on a custom copper still and age in casks that were used once to age a double-oak bourbon. They are on their third release of rum has been aged for just over 2 years. The venue offers Distillery Tours, a bar, rum cocktail classes, tastings and you can book their barrel room!
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Ontario
Canada’s most populous province, Ontario has the Great Lakes and the Canadian Shield (an ancient geological formation) with generally cold winters and warm summers. Its capital, Toronto, is a vibrant metropolis where rum lovers often start their Canadian adventure. The world-famous Niagara Falls straddles the border between Ontario and New York State.
North of 7 Distillery
Founded by Greg Lipin, Ottawa’s first micro-distillery makes gin, vodka, rum, and whisky. Named after the area north of HWY 7, the King’s Highway, the road in southern Ontario. There are 4 stills and the ageing whisky and rum is in a rickhouse-style area at the back of the distillery. Leatherback Rum brand has 3 expressions, using blackstrap molasses combined with yeast, nutrients, trace minerals, and filtered water. This is fermented for 5 days, distilled, and finally barrelled – most of their rum has aged at least 5 years.
Leatherback Blended Rum is a blend of 2 rums aged in different types of barrels; new and re-used barrels. Leatherback Spiced Rum includes real orange peel, cinnamon, and clove vapour infused, with added vanilla and caramel, and is aged 5+ years. Leatherback Rum Special Reserve is their flagship rum presented at cask strength, aged in new, heavily charred, and lightly toasted barrels for 5+ years.
Every time they sell a bottle of Leatherback Rum, a portion of the proceeds is donated to the Canadian Sea Turtle Network—a charity based in Halifax.
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King’s Lock Craft Distillery
One hour from Ottawa this Johnstown distillery produces organic local spirits of the St. Lawrence. King’s Lock Organic Rum was previously known as Smugglers Gold Organic Rum. It is aged in a bourbon barrel. You can enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour and tastings as well as private events and cocktails featuring artisanal mixes sold onsite. Contact them for private events and tastings.
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Manns Distillery
Opened by Craig Mann in 2020 is a family-owned craft distillery. Manns Rum uses a combination of blackstrap molasses and sugar, it’s distilled on a hybrid Pot Still and aged in Canadian oak barrels and used Bourbon barrels. Manns Spiced Rum is their signature rum infused with baking spices cinnamon, clove, star anise, allspice, and Sarsaparilla root to give it a hint of root beer. The distillery includes a tasting room, cocktail lounge, classroom area, and they host regular events.
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Quebec
The largest province and has French culture and language, stunning landscapes, and historic cities. Montreal is the largest city and a cultural hub, while Quebec City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Montmorency Falls (pictured above) at Quebec City is taller than Niagara Falls and is nicknamed Sugar Loaf when it ices up.
Distillerie de Montréal
Launched in Montreal in 2013 by Lilian Wolfelsberger and Stéphane Dion – they paved the way for Quebec-made spirits. The first alcohol they produced was rum, then vodka, gin, liqueurs, whisky, brandy, and agave spirits. Rosemont Rhum is made from molasses from Colombia and Guatemala. Fermentation usually lasts over 10 days and is distilled on Charente pot stills, then aged in new French oak and American oak.
The Rosemont Rhums range includes Rhum Blanc, Rhum Brun No 03, Rhum Épicé, and Rhum À L’Ananas. They plan a few small batches of different single casks, overproof, and different finishes. Visitors can tour and taste the rums at the distillery.
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Distillerie de Québec
Christophe Légasse and David Lévesque founded the distillery in 2016. Quebec City is where Canada’s first distillery was established. Rhum St-Roc Fondation is a tribute to the Quebec City St-Roc Distillery founded in the 18th century, which marked the birth of the distilling industry in Canada. An amber rum made from organic cane sugar and molasses. Each batch is a blend of selected 1–3-year-old barrels. The rum is distilled twice aged in bourbon barrels and entirely made in Quebec City.
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Distillerie Mariana
Started in 2015 and owned by Philippe Leblanc, they make a range of spirits including rum under the brand Morbleu. The word Morbleu is a derivative of Mort à Dieu which is a blaspheme expression. It is believed the sailors would use this expression when facing the challenges of the unpredictable sea. This is why our Morbleu labels present sea creatures from their stories. And, Mariana is the Latin word for black spruce, a symbol of Québec’s boreal forest.
Morbleu Blanc is a blend of rum from Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and Canada, aged for one year and filtered clear. Morbleu Rhum Épicé is a blend of cardamom, star anise, vanilla, rosemary, and travelling Comptonia (sweet fern). Morbleu Chocolate Flavoured Spiced Rum is made with Morbleu spiced rum. The latest rum is Morbleu Devil’s Reserve which is a 5-year-old molasses rum aged in first fill ex-bourbon casks. You can book a guided tour of the distillery, tasting, or enjoy a meal at the restaurant and cocktail bar within their new facilities at the L’Ouvrage Agro-Food Center in Trois-Rivières.
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Les Spiritueux Ungava
Ungava gin was founded in 2000 and has since been producing a range of spirits in Cowansville, Quebec’s Eastern Townships region. Chic Choc Spiced Rum is a 3–7-year-old Caribbean rum blended with 6 boreal herbs from the Gaspé Peninsula in the Chic Choc Mountain region. Chic Choc Black Rum is similar but with 4 unique spices added and higher abv. The distillery has a shop and tasting room where you can enjoy a tasting or cocktail workshop from Friday to Sunday.
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Cherry River Distillerie
In the former St-Luke’s church, Cherry River is a distillery created by the singer-songwriter Marc Dupré in 2021. The range includes gin, vodkas, tequila, and rum. Cherry River Rhum Amber Rum is sourced from the Caribbean and aged in ex-bourbon barrels.
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New Brunswick
This picture postcard maritime province has breathtaking coastlines, rolling hills, and the world-famous Hopewell Rocks, home to the Bay of Fundy’s highest tidal range. Lush forests, pristine beaches, and salmon-rich rivers await. In the historic city of Saint John, Crosby’s Molasses, operating since 1879, supplies many Canadian distilleries and bakers with Guatemalan molasses, a key ingredient in rum production.
Black Galley Distilling
Just off the highway in Hanwell, this small-batch distillery was inspired by the founders and New Brunswick character. They ferment, distill, bottle, and age on-site. Currie Mountain Treasure Rum is made with 100% Crosby’s molasses, aged for 1 year in a first-fill bourbon barrel.
RCR Rum was created to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the regiment. The rum is made from 100% molasses, aged for one year in a bourbon barrel, then finished for four months in a red wine barrel.
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Carroll’s Distillery
At the mouth of the Miramichi River where it enters Miramichi Bay, Carroll’s Distillery opened in 2020 by owner Mathieu Carroll. Carroll’s Distillery is a small distillery specialising in rum. It produces a variety of styles but is best known among enthusiasts for producing one of North America’s first high-ester rums.
All recipes are fermented entirely from Crosby’s brand fancy molasses (a form of syrup made from evaporated sugarcane juice). Besides the high ester mark, fermentation lasts for about a week in closed stainless steel fermenters and uses commercially available dried yeast. 500-litre and 150-litre pot stills are used for distillation. No plates or up to 8 plates with deflegmator are used depending on the mark. The still strength can be anywhere from 55% to 93% alc./vol. Ageing occurs in 200-litre ex-bourbon barrels. The barrel storage area is non-climate controlled and only lightly insulated – the temperature fluctuates from +30°C to -20°C with the Canadian climate.
The rum is only available at the distillery or from the website. Bottles can be shipped to anywhere in Canada. They are open every day except for holidays. Carroll’s Distillery shares a building with Carroll’s Bakery. The bakery staff, however, are not trained in spirits – tours are only available by appointment.
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Moonshine Creek Distillery
Established in 2018, in Waterville- Carleton County, the team has been making rum for 5 years. There’s Nautical Reserve Canadian Rum but the primary rum brand is A.J. Violette’s Rhum, launched in the fall of 2023. All the rum is currently made in-house.
They have multiple marks from multiple yeast strains, all produced from fancy molasses sourced through Crosby’s Molasses in Saint John. The 200-gallon hybrid still allows them to do some flavourful pot distillation and higher-proof spirit distilled by column, providing a range of marques.
They currently only use virgin American white oak and ex-barrels from their own whisky and rum program. Barrels are primarily 200L, and use the full range of char or toasting. The distillery is still working on the development of the A.J. Violette’s Rhum brand. They plan to release a single barrel-cask strength expression and a couple of rum liqueurs in 2025.
The distillery offers tours and tastings nearly every day and has an on-site retail space for trying their rum neat or in cocktails. They also recommend trying their rum at Uncorked in the Saint John City Market.
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Nova Scotia
Visit Canada’s ocean playground on the east coast and Atlantic Canada’s rum capital. A historic port was a trading hub for privateers and is still a popular rum destination today. Explore stunning coasts, charming villages, and the Cabot Trail as a scenic road trip.
Authentic Seacoast Distillery & Brewhouse
The distillery and brewery at the Osprey Shores Golf Resort was founded in 2005 in Guysborough. Producing beer, rum, and whisky, the main rum expressions are Fortress Rum and Sea Fever Rum. Sea Fever Rum is a blended rum of Caribbean rum and Canadian spirit, then barrel-aged in the Guysborough rack-houses. Fortress Rum is Caribbean-sourced rum barrel-aged within the walls of the 18th Century Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site in Cape Breton. The distillery & brewery tasting bar & retail shop is open 7 days a week.
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Barrelling Tide Distillery
Founded by Russell and Colleen Murphy in 2016, the independently owned craft distillery is on the Cornwallis River in the Annapolis Valley. Overlooking a tidal river that leads to the Bay of Fundy, the name was inspired by the rise and fall of the highest tides in the world that we see here twice a day.
Tidal Run is their version of a white rum. It’s an unaged molasses spirit made from Crosby’s molasses and so by definition, they are not able to call it rum in Canada. 5 Fathom Dark Rum is fermented, distilled, and barrel-aged in Hungarian and American white oak barrels for a minimum of 18 months. Visit them for a behind-the-scenes tour you can stop by and try their rum or a cocktail flight – they’re open Tuesday-Saturday.
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Coldstream Clear Distillery
Founded in 2015 as a family-owned craft vodka distillery, it has since expanded to include rum. Coldstream Clear 1749 White Rum is a blend of their Single Barrel Rum and Caribbean Rum. Coldstream Clear 1749 Dark Rum is also a blend of their Single Barrel Rum and Caribbean Rum. Coldstream Clear Single Barrel Rum is aged in single malt whiskey barrels.
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Compass Distillers
Compass is an urban craft distillery in the heart of Halifax and has been distilling since July 2017. The first product off the still was a rum. Their processes have evolved dramatically since then and the latest release Hell Isle Rum shows it well. It is a Jamaican-style rum, with notes of fruit, vanilla, and brown sugar. It is distilled from molasses and brown sugar fermentation. Hell Isle Rum has occasional small batch releases of individual casks. They offer tours and welcome visitors and have a small cocktail bar in the front of the distillery which you can look at while sipping your rum.
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Halifax Distilling Co.
Opened in July 2016 by Julie Shore and Arla Johnson Halifax Distilling Co. makes JD Shore rums. JD Shore rums is a blend distilled on custom-built copper still with a Caribbean rum. Halifax Distilling Co. celebrates Nova Scotia’s proud history in rum running.
Find out more on Halifax Distilling Co. JD Shore Rum
Ironworks Distillery
Pierre Guevremont and Lynne MacKay founded Ironworks Distillery in Lunenburg in 2008. They didn’t initially plan on making rum but that soon changed. Ironworks has made a name for itself with its from-scratch Crosby’s Molasses-based rums.
Ironworks Amber Rum was the first small batch of artisan rum created completely in Nova Scotia. Made from fermented Crosby’s fancy grade molasses, distilled twice and aged in the combination of a first-fill bourbon barrel, and a re-charred Blomidon wine barrel.
The distillery currently sells several different rums, perhaps most notably its Rum Boat Rum first released in 2017. Barrels are aged for several years in a floating warehouse called Black Beauty. Twice a year, in the spring and fall they take the rum and bottle it. Bluenose Rum is their dark rum named after Canada’s most famous schooner, Bluenose ( the ironwork for that ship was made where they are located).
The distillery has a range of tours you can book, like Behind the Scenes, and enjoy a rum sampling while you visit the historic Old Town Lunenburg, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Newfoundland and Labrador
The land of ice and fire is a rugged landscape of stunning fjords, icebergs, and unique wildlife, including the caribou and the puffin. St. John’s is the capital, and Gros Morne National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Canada’s most easterly province.
Tradition today has nonlocals to Newfoundland taking a shot of screech rum and kissing a cod. Newfoundland and Labrador salt cod became the national dish of Jamaica and food for people who worked on plantations and made rum. The flavours of Jamaican rum have influenced the palates of Eastern Canada for centuries.
The Newfoundland Distillery Company
Founded in 2016 by William Carter and Peter Wilkins as the first craft distillery in Newfoundland. They produce a range of gin, rum, aquavit and vodka. Chaga Rum is made using 5-year-old Demerara rum from Guyana which is infused in Clarke’s Beach with chaga harvested from central Newfoundland and honey from Grand Falls Windsor. Gunpowder & Rose Rum has locally harvested kelp, charred birch, and floral notes of wild Newfoundland roses. They have a shop, and tasting room on Conception Bay Highway where you can enjoy a cocktail in their bar overlooking Conception Bay and their stills.
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Rock Spirits
Rock Spirits is the manufacturing division of The Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC) which celebrates its 100-year history in 2025. Rock Spirits is a blender and bottler of spirits in St. John’s. Newfoundland Screech Rum is Rock Spirits’ flagship brand. It is distilled from molasses, aged in Jamaica for 18-24 months, and then shipped to Newfoundland for blending and bottling. The No.1 selling dark rum in Newfoundland maintains a tradition of imported Jamaican rum for over 200 years.
The Screech name came from a story of visiting American WWII serviceman’s reactions to the rum. Visit one of the local bars on George Street in St. John’s. Ask whether you can take part in a Screech-In ceremony, where you drink the rum, kiss the cod, and say the words to make you an honorary Newfoundlander.
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A Complex Landscape
Monopolies, strict regulations, high taxes, and your location shape rum availability in Canada. To be labelled rum, the spirit must be aged for at least a year in small casks, resulting in white rums being charcoal-filtered. These rules primarily impact local producers. For economic reasons, many Canadian rum brands have chosen to source imported Caribbean rum blends.
The absence of French Quebec Rhum Agricole is due to climate constraints and Canadian laws prohibiting certain levels of ethyl carbamate, a natural compound in agricultural rum. The lack of craft rum distillers in British Columbia is because regulations state the product has to have the majority of locally-grown ingredients – and sugarcane doesn’t grow there.
Depending on the province, you may find limited craft rum options due to government-run monopolies like LCBO, BCLDB, and SAQ. While Alberta offers a more open market, challenges persist for distilleries. If you’re visiting, purchasing directly from the distillery might be your best bet.
Where to Enjoy Rum in Canada
Calgary: Ricardo’s Hideaway, Proof, Betty Lou’s Library, Shelter Cocktail Bar
Edmonton: TiKi TiKi on Whyte, Honi Honi Tiki Lounge, Baijiu, Woodwork, Clementine
Halifax: Palm Tree Kitchen
Montreal: Barraca Rhumerie, La Distillerie no.1, Snowbird Tiki Bar, El Pequeño Bar, Bar Pamplemousse
Ottawa: Poa Tiki Bar, The Moonroom, Rabbit Hole,
Quebec City: Arsenal & CO. Distillery has Tiki cocktail classes
Toronto: Rhum Corner, The Shameful Tiki Room, SugarKane, Chubby’s Jamaican Kitchen, Tiki Bar Toronto, Castaways Rum Shack, Paradise Grotto
Victoria: Citrus & Cane, Tora Tiki, The Palms Restaurant
Vancouver: The Shameful Tiki Room, Jungle Room, Havana Vancouver, ConTiki Cabana, The Keefer Bar, The Watson, Pourhouse Restaurant
Whistler: Braidwood Tavern, The Raven Room, 21 Steps Whistler
Winnipeg: Patent 5 Distillery Bar
Whether you’re sipping a Canadian Eggnog (with Canadian rum) at après ski on Whistler or watching ice hockey in a downtown Toronto sports bar, there’s a Canadian rum experience waiting for you.
For more general travel advice on Canadian Tourism
To see all the rums from Canada and start travel planning use our Canada Rum Map
Thanks to the brands for contributing to this article, and permission to use their images. Other image credits to Canva Pro, and user contributions.
