Mad River Distillers Maple Cask Rum

Mad River Distillers Maple Cask Rum brings together two of Vermont’s signatures: world-class maple syrup and meticulous small-batch distilling. Crafted in the Mad River Valley, this spirit starts life as a rum distilled entirely from fair-trade demerara sugar, chosen for its deep, molasses-rich character and ability to develop complexity in oak.

After primary aging in a combination of toasted and charred American oak barrels, the rum undergoes a second, defining stage: finishing in barrels that have just come back from Wood’s Vermont Syrup Company. These casks originally held rum, were loaned to Wood’s to age pure Vermont maple syrup, then returned to Mad River to be refilled with rum. The result is a true barrel-swap collaboration that infuses the spirit with a natural maple imprint rather than syrupy sweetness.

In the glass, Maple Cask Rum shows a rich, confectionary nose with touches of tropical fruit, butterscotch, and baking spice. On the palate, it lands with the structure and weight you’d expect from a good bourbon: layers of dark sugar, caramelized maple, vanilla, and a hint of charred oak that reads almost like lightly smoky whiskey. The finish is long, warm, and slightly dry, making it a satisfying neat pour rather than a sugar bomb.

This character has earned the rum serious recognition, including gold medals from the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America and Spirits of the Americas, plus strong scores from modern spirits competitions.

At home, Maple Cask Rum is as versatile as it is distinctive. Serve it straight or over a large cube to appreciate the maple cask influence, or use it as a whiskey substitute in an Old Fashioned for a subtle maple twist. It also shines in seasonal cocktails, think maple-accented sours, ginger-based highballs, or a Maple Mojito where the rum’s natural sweetness replaces added sugar.

For rum fans seeking something with real depth, and whiskey drinkers looking to cross over without sacrificing complexity, Mad River Distillers Maple Cask Rum delivers a uniquely Vermont take on aged rum that belongs in any serious home bar.