Another year, another honor for a Cape Coral gem.
Wicked Dolphin was just voted the No. 1 craft rum distillery in the country by USA Today’s 10BEST in the U.S. readers’ poll.
“Being recognized as the best craft rum distillery is a tremendous honor,” marketing director Jared Pearlman said. “It speaks directly to the hard work of our team, staff and ownership.”
Wicked Dolphin is no stranger to this particular award, taking first place for four consecutive years beginning in 2016. It was named third in 2020, second in 2021, fifth in 2022 and 2024, and sixth in 2023.
And now it’s back on top for the first time since 2019.
“We continue to evolve every year,” Pearlman said. “We continue to perfect our craft, invest in the facility and team and always research. It’s really important to have the best product on the market, and I think we do. We always strive to be the best.”
Wicked Dolphin makes small-batch rums in a traditional copper pot still, using Florida-grown sugarcane. It’s aged anywhere from 3 to 14 years in used Kentucky bourbon barrels.
Enjoy a new cocktail lineup in the Wicked Garden at Wicked Dolphin in Cape Coral.
When JoAnn Elardo opened Wicked Dolphin just off Pine Island Road (between Hancock Bridge and Nicholas parkways) in 2012, it sold one type of rum — Crystal.
Fast forward to today and there are 16 rums, from premium to reserve to limited reserve, plus blueberry and strawberry rumshine and Wicked Dolphin vodka.
“We just debuted a pineapple jalapeno rumshine on Oct. 1,” Pearlman added. “It has a unique flavor profile. For spicy cocktail lovers, it’s tremendous.”
Through the first 12 years, the rums earned more than 60 medals, including international honors.
Free tours held four days a week
The tour at Wicked Dolphin begins in the distillery plant.
The best way to see and taste what’s going on is through one of the free tours. More than 30,000 locals and visitors annually get an up-close, behind-the-scenes tour, held Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
“It really is a 360-degree, A to Z experience,” Pearlman said. “You get to see how it’s made, sample it. It’s an immersive experience.”
The 45-minute, distiller-led tours flow through the distillery plant to the barrel room and back to the tasting room. Reserve a spot at wickeddolphin.com. All ages are welcome, but must be 21 and up to sample.
Try one of the new cocktails in the Wicked Garden at Wicked Dolphin in Cape Coral.
But that’s not all that’s going on here.
Enjoy the Wicked Garden, too
Beginning Friday, Oct. 24, the new Wicked Garden (a new and improved version of the Wicked Dolphin Tiki) will be open.
“We wanted to create an even better experience,” Pearlman said. “There’s a new menu, we updated it. We wanted it to match the same high quality and excellence we have in the distillery.”
Opening-day events (from noon to 8:30 p.m.) include craft cocktails, a raffle, live music (starting at 5:30 p.m.), Caribbean Q food truck (all day) and a canned food drive in partnership with Community Cooperative.
“We thought it would be a great way to start the season by giving back to the community,” Pearlman said.
The Wicked Garden will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and on the same days as the free distillery tours. There’s also a big bash held on the third Thursday of every month.
“If you haven’t been here recently, it’s different,” Pearlman said. “It’s an upgraded experience. I’m optimistic this season is going to be the best one yet.”
Wicked Dolphin, 131 SW 3rd Place, Cape Coral; (239) 242-5244; wickeddolphin.com or follow on Facebook
Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect at rhgeorge@fortmyer.gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Wicked Dolphin in Cape Coral has been voted the best in the country