Exploring Rum is Exciting
Rum is a spirit that has been produced worldwide for hundreds of years. It can be made from sugar cane juice, molasses, evaporated cane syrup, and more. One of the unique things about rum is that it’s left up to individual regions to decide their regulations (or lack thereof) when producing it. This means countless expressions of rum are out there, and navigating them all can be intimidating. In this blog post, we will help break down the nuances of rum and make exploring them exciting!
Different Types of Rum
Very generally speaking, two of the main categories of rum are light (or white) rum and dark rum. Light rum is typically clear or straw-colored in appearance and has a mild flavor profile with subtly sweet notes. Dark rums are typically aged longer in oak barrels and come in shades ranging from amber to mahogany. These rums often have more complex flavor profiles with notes such as caramel, butterscotch, coconut, molasses, vanilla, etc.
Another popular type of rum is spiced or flavored rums. They are usually lighter rums infused with spices and other flavors. These are usually sweeter than light or dark rums and have distinct aromas like cinnamon or nutmeg. Popular flavorings include pineapple, coconut, mango, lime, strawberry, etc.
Another type of rum that varies greatly from other types of rums is Rhum Agricole. Rhum Agricole differs from other rum in that it’s distilled directly from pressed cane sugar instead of fermented juice or sugar cane byproducts like molasses. Most of the Rhum Agricole that you will find is typically produced in French-speaking Caribbean countries. Rhum is typical to have a grassy flavor, with a slightly funky taste.
The last type of rum we will focus on is Navy-Strength Rum and Overproof Rum. These types of rums are a high-proof, high alcohol content style of rum traditionally used by British sailors on long voyages as part of their daily ration allowance known as “Grog”! This style comes in light and dark varieties, but they will always be at least 54.5% ABV. True British Navy Strength is 54.5% alcohol by volume and Overproof rum is typically 57% alcohol by volume or greater.
How To Enjoy Your Rum
Rum can be enjoyed straight up or over ice with a few drops of water to open up the flavors and aromas even further. Alternatively, you can mix your favorite expression into cocktails like Mojitos, Daiquiris, Pina Coladas, Mai Tais, etc., for an extra flavorful experience! You can also cook your favorite dishes with rum, such as barbecued pork ribs or steamed mussels. With such a wide variety of styles available, you’ll never get bored trying different expressions!
Whether you’re an experienced connoisseur looking for something new to try or someone just getting started exploring the world of spirits – rum is a great place to start because there’s so much variety within the genre! From light white rums to navy strength varieties, each expression has unique characteristics that allow you to truly appreciate what makes this spirit so unique. And don’t forget about cocktails either – mixing your favorite expression into classic drinks like mojitos or pina coladas can add an extra layer of flavor you didn’t know was possible! So next time you’re looking for something delicious yet unique – grab some rum and explore its many faces! Cheers!
