An Alicante Rum Among the World's Best

Rum often evokes images of Caribbean pirates, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, or even Venezuela. However, in this seemingly exclusive territory, an Alicante-based company, Malabusca, has made a grand entrance. They have achieved an unprecedented feat for a company of their size by impressing the judges at the London Spirits Competition 2025, one of the most significant international events in the sector. Their two new offerings have each won gold medals, the highest possible accolade. Additionally, Ron Malabusca Estilo Español has been recognised as the Spanish spirit of the year.

The competition, held in London last month with results just announced, brought together experts from around the world who assess spirits based on their organoleptic quality, design, and perceived value. Scoring 97 and 96 out of 100 respectively by over 50 international judges, Malabusca's rums stand out for "their flavour, the complexity of their nuances, the quality of the distillate, artisanal production, minimal intervention in the final result, and a unique presentation that reflects the balance between tradition and innovation."

Since its founding in 2016 by a group of entrepreneurs from Elche and Alicante, the company has adhered to a clear philosophy: limited productions, honest processes, and absolute control from origin to bottle. The raw materials do come from countries like Trinidad, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Guatemala, or Panama, but they are refined and bottled in Spain without adding colourants or using methods that distort the product's true age. "We believe in doing things right, even if it means going slower," explains Santiago Hernández, partner and co-owner of the brand.

The impact of this award goes beyond mere commercial success. For an independent brand, distanced from large multinationals, such accolades represent a validation of effort and an open door to new markets. "This recognition strengthens our conviction to continue betting on our own vision of the product and propels us in our expansion strategy, both in Spain and international markets," adds Hernández.

Malabusca has already established a strong presence in gourmet spaces and high-end gastronomy, as well as in select cocktail bars in Spain, Germany, Bulgaria, and the Dominican Republic itself. Additionally, the brand maintains online sales and works with specialised distributors who value its distinctive and exclusive character.

The Malabusca project began with a Mediterranean-inspired gin, recognised as one of the best in the world at the World Spirits Competition in San Francisco, USA, in 2018. Then came a vodka that also garnered international awards. But it is with their rums that the brand has managed to consolidate its position among the best artisanal distillers on the global scene.

For Hernández and his team, the goal remains the same: "To recover the essence of authenticity and reinterpret it with a contemporary perspective. We are not seeking volume, but quality and emotion in every glass," he assures. Their recent double gold in London not only reaffirms this philosophy but also places Alicante on the world map of high-end spirits.

As a result of its philosophy centred on authenticity and excellence, Malabusca has managed to chart its course through prestigious international recognitions. Their gin has received silver medals at the London Spirits Competition in 2021 and 2025, in addition to being named Spanish Gin of the Year at the Asian International Spirits Competition in Hong Kong in 2021 and awarded in San Francisco in 2018. The house vodka has also been distinguished with silver medals in Brussels (2022) and London (2023).