Rum Breakdown

A Rum Rundown

What is Rum?

Rum is a distilled spirit that is primarily made from the byproducts of sugarcane, like molasses, or is made directly from sugarcane juice through fermentation and distillation. This process results in a clear spirit that is typically aged in barrels which gives rum its signature darker color and flavor. 

Rum is a diverse spirit that comes in a variety of types and categorized by a few factors: color/age, production, style, and flavoring. Most rums you see in restaurants or liquor stores will be categorized and labeled based on color and age. The ones most people are familiar with  are these 4:

1. White Rum (Light Rum/Silver Rum)

1. Color: Either clear or nearly clear

2. Aging: These rums are typically unaged but can be aged shortly and then filtered to remove color. 

3. Taste: Typically have a clean and light taste, and often slightly sweet. Can vary in both flavour and strength. Often used as a base in popular cocktails and mixed drinks like a Mojito, Daiquiri, or Rum Punch

2. Gold Rum (Amber Rum)

1. Color: Light or golden brown

2. Aging: Typically aged in oak barrels between 1-3 years. However the colour does not necessarily reflect age, as some rums may have caramel added to achieve desired color. 

3. Taste: Can have a wide range of flavour profiles due to different production methods. Often has vanilla, subtle oak, and caramel notes. Can be used in a variety of cocktails or sipped straight. 

3. Dark Rum

1. Color: Deep Brown or slightly reddish color

2. Aging: Typically aged longer, often in charred barrels. Caramel may be added to achieve desired color. 

3. Taste: Has a richer taste than gold or white rum, often with notes of molasses, spice, and wood. Often enjoyed neat to savour more nuanced flavor, but can be used in rum punches, or popular tiki drinks

4. Black Rum

1. Color: Very dark brown color, nearly black

2. Aging: Many are unaged with caramel and/or molasses added to achieve the signature dark color. Some may be aged for a few years, often in charred barrels. 

3. Taste: Often has a bolder and heavier molasses flavor with a syrupy quality. A key ingredient in the popular Dark ’n Stormy cocktail. 

Aside from these typical categories, there are some other popular types of rum you will see:

1. Overproof Rum: Contains a higher alcohol content than standard rums. No strict rules on what defines “overproof”, but typically refers to rums with an ABV higher than the standard 40%. A popular brand of overproof rum is the Wray & Nephew Overproof rum. 

2. Single Cask Rum: Rum that has been aged in a single barrel or cask rather than being blended from multiple barrels. Showcases unique characteristics of the barrel used for aging.

3. XO Rum: Used for rums that have been aged for an extended period. No strict regulation on exact requirements, but generally are aged for a minimum of 6 years.

4. Flavored/Spiced Rum: Types of rum that have been infused with additional flavors or spices to change the flavor profiles. 

5. Spanish Style Rum: Primarily made in South and Central American countries like Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. Often column-distilled with clean and light-bodied flavors. Popular examples of Spanish style rums include Bacardi and Havana Club. 

6. English Style Rum:Often made in Caribbean countries like Jamaica, Barbados, and Guyana. Often pot-stilled with bold and full-bodied flavor profiles. Some popular examples of English style rum are Mount Gay, El Dorado, and Hampden Estate. 

7. French Style Rum (Rhum Agricole): Primarily produced in the French Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe. Differs in production by using fresh sugarcane juice rather than molasses as a base. Often has more herbal, grassy, and floral flavor profiles reflecting the regions where it is produced. 

While these don’t cover every category of rum that exists, they are some of the most popular and they show just how varied rum can be as a spirit. Between production methods, aging, proof, and style, the expressions of rum are nearly endless. When looking for rum for yourself, doing a little research can go a long way. Finding some of the popular brands can be a great way to get a foothold into the depth that rum has to offer. As a note for would-be rum enjoyers, many brands blend different types of rum to create their consistent and recognizable styles. As a result labels aren’t always transparent about aging or additives used in their rum. For those looking for something more specific, independent bottles and transparency focused brands like Foursquare, Hampden, or Velier are great options and as a result, respected by many connoisseurs. Wherever you choose to start your rum journey, there is an exciting world of expressions for you to enjoy, whether you sip them on their own or use them as a base for your favorite cocktail.