European R(h)um Award 2025

In 2025, Vienna will be the stage for a new chapter in the world of European spirits: the European R(h)um Award celebrates its premiere!

The European R(h)um Award

The award is presented during the  Vienna Rum Festival, shining a spotlight on Europe’s finest creations. An experience that inspires professionals, producers, distributors, retailers, and rum lovers alike – because here it’s not the label that counts, but the true excellence in the glass.

A stage for Europe’s finest rum

A stage for Europe’s finest rum

Vienna Rum Festival

Vienna Rum Festival

Information for participants

The jury

The jury of the European R(h)um Award brings together expertise, experience, and passion. International specialists from bars, distilleries, trade, professional media, and sensory science join forces to evaluate the entries with trained noses and discerning palates.
Each jury member contributes years of practice, profound knowledge, and the highest level of neutrality. The result is a judgment that combines competence, fairness, and transparency – giving every submitted product the stage it truly deserves.

Melanie Castillo

Award-winning bartender and hostess, head of the American Bar Barfly's. Known for excellent craftsmanship, warmth and innovation. Operator of "Castillo's Eis & Bar", a creative concept for enjoyment and socialising.

Roland Graf

Graduate of the West Indian Rum Academy, experienced tasting manager. Spirits connoisseur and author for Mixology, Falstaff and the Cigar Journal.
© Stefan Diesner

Erhard Ruthner, BEd

Graduate sommelier, Certified Advisor of Spirits, founder of raise-your-spirits.at and austro-spirits.at. Organiser of hundreds of tastings, cocktail events and specialist seminars.
Specialist teacher for sommellerie and bartending, tasting manager and author

Markus Braun

Global Mezcal Ambassador in Austria (Mezcal Institute), Certified Bourbon Steward (Stave & Thief Society, Louisville/Kentucky), judge at international competitions.
© Del Fabro Kolarik

Rafael Topf

Since 2010 responsible for the spirits portfolio at Del Fabro Kolarik. Continuously deepens his knowledge through tastings, advanced trainings and international industry events. Active as a lecturer, trainer and jury member at competitions such as Falstaff and Meininger’s ISW. Co-founder of the Vienna Bar Community, initiator of the Austrian Zero Awards and founder of Finest Spirits Vienna – commitments through which he significantly shapes the Austrian spirits scene.

How the evaluation works

All submitted spirits are evaluated by our expert jury in a blind tasting – the bottle stays in the background, only what’s in the glass truly counts.
95-100 points

Big gold

Absolute top class
90-94 points

Gold

Excellent
85-89 points

silver

Very good
80-84 points

Bronze

Good
There is no award for scores below 80 points.

Be there live

At the Vienna Rumfestival, visitors can experience firsthand how the submitted products are tasted live by a world-class jury. The evaluation takes place on the main stage in front of the audience – the tasting is transparent, while the scoring itself remains confidential.

The winners are announced on site, celebrated by a jury that represents the very highest level of expertise.

Categories 2025

The categories reflect the diversity of the rum world and make quality visible at all levels.

The European R(h)um Award honours outstanding rums and rum-based products.
With clearly defined categories, an independent jury and transparent evaluation guidelines, we set an example for quality and diversity in the international rum scene.
Stay up to date and discover the award-winning R(h)ums of the year.
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