Havana Club vs Malibu:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Malibu had more branded searches than Havana Club among rum brands in Australia. Malibu had about 5,400 branded searches, while Havana Club had 880. Malibu made up 8.1% of all rum brand searches we track, and Havana Club accounted for 1.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about rum brands, Havana Club appeared in two of the five answers and Malibu in none.
Who do people search for more?
Malibu, about 6 searches for every 1 for Havana Club
Who does AI mention more?
Havana Club, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Malibu in 0
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Top rum brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Havana Club was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Malibu did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Diplomático1st
Captain Morgan2nd
Kraken3rd
Bacardi3rd
Sailor Jerry5th
Havana Club6th
Bundaberg Rum7th
Malibu–
Beenleigh–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Captain Morgan2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Sailor Jerry2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Diplomático2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Havana Club2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Bundaberg Rum1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Kraken1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Bacardi1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Malibu0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Beenleigh0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about rum brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which rum should I buy in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best rum brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best rum for cocktails?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“rum”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“spiced rum”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in Australia on October 26, 2026.
Is Havana Club or Malibu more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Havana Club and Malibu by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine rum brands we track, month by month, from searches in Australia.
Share of searches by month for Malibu, Havana Club. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Bundaberg Rum | Kraken | Bacardi | Captain Morgan | Malibu | Sailor Jerry | Beenleigh | Diplomático | Havana Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 41.8% | 15.6% | 15.6% | 10.4% | 6.9% | 3.8% | 3% | 1.6% | 1.4% |
| Nov 2025 | 41.6% | 15.5% | 15.5% | 10.3% | 6.9% | 3.8% | 3% | 1.6% | 2% |
| Dec 2025 | 37.8% | 17.2% | 17.2% | 9.4% | 9.4% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 1.2% | 1.5% |
| Jan 2026 | 36.2% | 17% | 17% | 9.3% | 9.3% | 4.1% | 3.3% | 1.5% | 2.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 39.2% | 14.6% | 14.6% | 11.9% | 8% | 5.3% | 2.9% | 1.6% | 1.9% |
| Mar 2026 | 40.1% | 15.5% | 15.5% | 12.6% | 6.9% | 3.6% | 3.1% | 1.4% | 1.4% |
| Apr 2026 | 38.9% | 17.7% | 14.5% | 11.8% | 7.9% | 3.4% | 2.9% | 1.3% | 1.6% |
| May 2026 | 36.2% | 24.7% | 13.5% | 11% | 6% | 3.2% | 2.7% | 1.2% | 1.5% |
| Jun 2026 | 36.4% | 24.8% | 13.6% | 11.1% | 6% | 3.2% | 2.2% | 1.5% | 1.2% |
| Jul 2026 | 41.2% | 19.3% | 12.9% | 10.5% | 7% | 3.8% | 2.6% | 1.2% | 1.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 39.8% | 22.2% | 12.1% | 9.9% | 6.6% | 3.6% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| Sep 2026 | 40% | 18.2% | 14.9% | 9.9% | 8.1% | 3.6% | 2.4% | 1.5% | 1.3% |
How has the Havana Club and Malibu comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Malibu was ahead of Havana Club in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Havana Club’s share of searches among rum brands in Australia moved from 1.4% to 1.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 880.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Malibu’s share of searches among rum brands in Australia moved from 6.9% to 8.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.4K to 5.4K.
How did search popularity change for Australia rum brands in September 2026?
1 change

In September 2026, Malibu gained share of searches among rum brands in Australia, from 6.6% to 8.1%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Havana Club’s and Malibu’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Havana Club
1 branded search term
- havana club
Malibu
1 branded search term
- malibu rum
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