Smoked Rum substitutes
The closest substitute for Smoked Rum is Dark Rum, which works but the drink will taste a little different. Loses the smoke; a barspoon of Islay Scotch brings it back. Aged Rum also works.
What to use instead of Smoked Rum
| Substitute | How much | Strength |
|---|---|---|
Dark RumWorks, tastes different Loses the smoke; a barspoon of Islay Scotch brings it back. Same amount | Same amount | 40–50% ABV |
Aged RumWorks, tastes different No smoke, but similar depth. Same amount | Same amount | 40–46% ABV |
Almost the same: most people won’t notice. Works, tastes different: still a good drink, just a different one. Last resort: better than skipping the drink.
Swap it in your drink
Pick a substitute to see how much to pour in each drink with Smoked Rum, how strong the drink ends up and when to adjust the sugar.
- IBA Tiki
30ml (1 oz) Smoked Rum → 30ml (1 oz) Dark Rum
Same strength
How they compare
| Property | Smoked Rum | Dark Rum |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 40% ABV | 40–50% ABV |
| Taste | Smoky, Sweet molasses, Spice | Rich molasses, Brown sugar, Baking spices, Dried fruit |
| Aroma | Peat smoke, Molasses, Charred oak | Molasses, Caramel, Dried fruit, Spice, Vanilla |
| Finish | Long, Smoky, Warming | Long, Warming, Sweet, Spiced |
| Property | Smoked Rum | Aged Rum |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 40% ABV | 40–46% ABV |
| Taste | Smoky, Sweet molasses, Spice | Rich, Complex, Dried fruit, Chocolate, Oak |
| Aroma | Peat smoke, Molasses, Charred oak | Oak, Dried fruit, Toffee, Spice, Vanilla |
| Finish | Long, Smoky, Warming | Long, Warming, Sophisticated |
What is Smoked Rum?
Rum with a smoky, whisky-like edge, usually from finishing in casks that held peated Scotch. It adds depth and smoke to tiki drinks such as the IBA Tiki.
Questions about Smoked Rum substitutes
What is the best substitute for Smoked Rum?
Dark Rum is the closest substitute for Smoked Rum, though the drink will taste a little different. Loses the smoke; a barspoon of Islay Scotch brings it back. Use the same amount.
What can I use instead of Smoked Rum in an IBA Tiki?
Dark Rum: swap 30ml (1 oz) of Smoked Rum for 30ml (1 oz) of Dark Rum.
Does Dark Rum instead of Smoked Rum change how strong the drink is?
Barely. In the drink on this page that use Smoked Rum, Dark Rum changes the strength by less than one percentage point.
More spirit substitutes
Out of Smoked Rum?
Proof knows these swaps. Tell it which bottles you have and it shows the drinks you can still make.