Rum is a distilled alcoholic beverage derived from sugarcane byproducts like molasses or sugarcane juice. The choice of raw materials used for rum production sets the foundation for the distinct flavor profiles of different rums.
Further, the fermentation process, the method of distillation, and the aging procedure, all determine the final character of the rum. In this article, we will shed light on diverse varieties of rum along with some popular rum cocktails that should be on everyone's radar.
White rum is a type of rum that is typically clear and has not been aged for an extended period in wooden barrels. It is known for its light color and crisp, clean taste. White rum is often used in cocktails where the primary focus is on the spirit's neutral or subtle flavor, allowing other ingredients to shine.
White wine is white in color because it is made from grapes with green or yellowish skins. The winemaking process involves separating the grape juice from the skins early in the fermentation process. The color of wine primarily comes from the pigments in the grape skins.
Popular Brands: El Dorado 3 Year White, Barbancourt White Rhum, Plantation 3 Stars Silver Rum
Cocktails: Mojito, Daiquiri, Piña Colada, Cuba Libre, Mai Tai, Rum Punch, Bahama Mama, Rum Runner, Mango Mojito, Rum and Tonic
How To Drink White Rum?
Neat: Sip white rum straight from a glass at room temperature.
On the Rocks: Pour white rum over ice and enjoy it slowly as the ice melts.
With a Splash of Citrus: Squeeze a bit of fresh lime or lemon juice into your white rum for a citrusy twist.
Gold or amber rum is a type of rum that falls between the lighter white rums and the darker, more robust aged rums. While gold rums can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks, they are often used in cocktails that benefit from the added depth of flavor and the warm, golden color.
Gold rums are complex in flavor compared to white rums and may have notes of vanilla, caramel, and sometimes subtle hints of spice due to the interaction with the wooden barrels. The golden to-amber hue reflects the time spent maturing in the barrel and is based on the type of barrel used and the length of aging.
Popular Brands: Ron Abuelo Añejo Reserva Especial, El Dorado 5 Year Old
Cocktails: Rum Old Fashioned, Dark and Stormy, Rum Punch, Painkiller, Mai Tai
How To Drink Gold Rum?
Neat: Sip straight at room temperature.
On the Rocks: SIp over a large ice cube.
Dilution: Dilute gold rum with a small amount of still or sparkling water to mellow the intensity.
Warm Rum Sipper: Gently warm gold rum (without boiling) and sip it as a warm, comforting drink.
Dark rum is a category of rum known for its deep, dark color and rich, full-bodied flavor. While dark rum can also be sipped neat or on the rocks, it is frequently used in cocktails where its bold flavor can stand out. It's a common choice for classic cocktails like the Dark 'n' Stormy, Mai Tai, and various tropical drinks.
The darkness of the rum is due to the extended aging process in charred barrels or through the addition of caramel coloring. Dark rum tends to be sweeter as the aging process often leads to the concentration of natural sugars from the sugarcane. The aging often takes place in charred oak barrels, which imparts color and also adds complexity to the flavor.
Popular Brands: Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Dark Rum, Appleton Estate 8 Year Reserve, El Dorado 12 Year Old
Cocktails: Dark and Stormy, Rum Punch, Mai Tai, Rum Old Fashioned, Painkiller
How To Drink Dark Rum?
Neat or On the Rocks
By diluting with water
Rum Hot Chocolate: Mix dark rum into your hot chocolate for a comforting and indulgent treat.
Agricultural rums are a special type of rum made from freshly squeezed sugarcane juice, also known as vesou, instead of molasses. This difference in raw material leads to distinct characteristics that set agricultural rums apart from their molasses-based counterparts. To find it in liquor stores, you can simply look for "Rhum Agricole" or "cane juice rum" labels.
Rhum Agricole is known for its grassy, floral, and fruity notes, and it is often considered a more refined and terroir-driven spirit. Rhum Agricole is classified into various categories based on aging, similar to other types of rum. These categories may include white rhum (unaged), gold rhum (aged in barrels), and vintage rhum (aged for an extended period).
Popular Brands: J.M. Rhum, Bally, Barbancourt
Cocktails: Ti' Punch, Agricole Swizzle, Mojito, Rhum Agricole Sour, Mai Tai
How To Drink Rhum Agricole?
Neat or On the Rocks
Rhum Agricole with a Splash of Water to mellow the intensity and open up the flavors.
Spiced rum is essentially rum, usually of the gold or dark variety, that has been infused with a variety of spices and flavorings. The specific spices used can vary depending on the brand and recipe, but some of the most common include cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cardamom, peppercorn, and anise.
The infusion of spices adds a unique and complex flavor profile to the rum, making it a popular choice for cocktails and mixed drinks. These spices add a range of flavors to the rum, including warm, sweet, spicy, and citrusy notes. The overall flavor profile of spiced rum tends to be bolder and more complex than that of unspiced rum.
Popular Brands: Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, Bacardi Oakheart Spiced Rum, Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Goslings Black Seal Rum
Cocktails: Spiced Rum Dark and Stormy, Spiced Rum Pineapple Express, Spiced Rum Mojito, Spiced Rum Hot Toddy, Spiced Rum Punch
How To Drink Spiced Rum?
Neat or on the Rocks
Chilled Shot: Chill the bottle of spiced rum in the freezer and serve it in small shot glasses.
Rum and Water: Dilute spiced rum with a splash of still or sparkling water.
The story of Navy Rum dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries when rum became a staple drink for sailors in the Royal Navy. This rum wasn't particularly high-quality. It was a blend of rums from various British colonies, often dark and strong, around 50% ABV (alcohol by volume).
Today, Navy Strength rum refers to strong (57% ABV+) rums inspired by historical rum rations but with a wider range of styles and flavors. These rums can be blended or single-origin.
Popular brands: Pusser's Rum (the official supplier to the Royal Navy once upon a time), Goslings Black Seal
Cocktails: Navy Grog, Dark 'n Stormy, Pusser's Painkiller, Navy Rum Old Fashioned, Navy Rum Martini
How To Drink Navy Rum?
Sipping neat or on the rocks
Diluting with water to soften the intensity
Hot Navy Rum Toddy: Create a warm beverage by mixing navy rum with hot water or hot apple cider. Add a touch of honey or cinnamon for extra warmth.
Flavored rum is essentially another rum infused with various additional flavors, typically fruits, spices, or other natural (or sometimes artificial) ingredients. This infusion process adds a new dimension to the rum's character, making it a popular choice for cocktails such as Piña Colada, the Bahama Mama, and the Zombie.
Flavored rum is different from spiced rum in that it offers a wider variety of flavor experiences. The flavors range from sweet and fruity (coconut, mango, banana) to savory and earthy (chocolate, coffee, caramel). Hence, flavored rum can be quite bold and forward in its added flavors.
Popular Brands: Bacardi, Malibu (best known for Coconut rum), Cruzan
Cocktails: Coconut Mojito, Pineapple Rum Punch, Passion Fruit Rum Sour, Mango Rum Cooler, Raspberry Rum Smash
How To Drink Flavored Rum?
Neat or on the rocks
Dilute flavored rum with a splash of water to mellow the taste.
Hot Toddy with Flavored Rum: Prepare by mixing flavored rum with hot water or hot apple cider. Add a touch of honey or cinnamon for extra warmth.
Premium rum is a term describing high-quality rum that stands out from the crowd due to its exceptional ingredients, meticulous production methods, and refined taste. Premium rums often use fresh sugar cane juice instead of molasses, resulting in a purer and more flavorful base spirit. Some may even experiment with different sugar cane varieties to achieve unique characteristics.
Careful fermentation, distillation, and blending techniques play a crucial role in the formation of the premium rum. These processes affect the rum's character, ensuring smoothness, complexity, and optimal flavor development. Also, premium rums are aged for longer periods and are more expensive than most standard rums.
Popular Bands: El Dorado, Diplomatico, Brugal and Appleton Estate
Cocktails: Premium Rum Mojito, Rum Martinez, Rum Punch Royale, Premium Rum Sour, Rum Boulevardier
How To Drink Premium Rum?
Neat or on the Rocks
By diluting with a small amount of water to mellow the intensity.
Add a splash of dark chocolate or coffee to enjoy something different.
Aged rum refers to rum that has been matured in oak barrels for a specific period, usually at least two years. This aging process allows the rum to mellow, develop deeper flavors, and acquire a richer color. The longer a rum is aged, the more complex and expensive it tends to be.
Aged rums generally have a smoother and more complex taste compared to unaged rums. They may exhibit notes of oak, vanilla, caramel, spices, and even dried fruits depending on the type of wood used for the barrels and the aging conditions.
Popular Brands: Appleton Estate, Diplomatico, El Dorado, Brugal and Zacapa
Cocktails: Aged Rum Old Fashioned, Rum Manhattan, Daiquiri with Aged Rum, Rum Negroni, Rum Punch
How To Drink Aged Rum?
Neat or on the Rocks
By diluting with water to mellow the concentration
Overproof rum is a type of rum that has a higher alcohol content than regular rum. The term "overproof" typically refers to rum with an alcohol by volume (ABV) percentage that exceeds the standard level for most rums, which is around 40% to 50% ABV.
It's important to note that overproof rum should be consumed responsibly due to its higher alcohol concentration, and one should be cautious when using it in cocktails to ensure that the drink remains balanced and enjoyable.
Popular Brands: Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum, Bacardi 151, Lemon Hart 151
Cocktails: Mai Tai, Zombie, Flaming Cocktails (Flaming Dr. Pepper) and certain variations of the classic Rum Punch
How To Drink Overproof Rum?
Neat (without any mixers or ice) or on the Rocks (over ice)
Diluted with water
With Mixers (ginger beer, cola, or tropical fruit juices)
