Rum gets a bad reputation for being cheap and sickly, but it’s a versatile spirit with many nuances. It can be enjoyed as a lengthy drink and is frequently used in cocktails.
Rum can be produced everywhere, but it is most frequently linked to tropical nations and areas where sugar cane is grown. It’s distilled from molasses and goes through several steps, including fermentation and distillation.
Look for a Trusted Retailer
Rum is a versatile spirit used in various cocktails, mixed drinks, and even by itself. It is made from a fermented sugarcane byproduct like molasses and can range in alcohol content from 20 to 75.5 percent ABV. There are light rum, dark rum, and aged rum, all of which are produced in different ways. Many rums are distilled in pot stills, while others are made using column stills. Some rum producers mix the two techniques to create unique flavors.
Whether you are looking to stock your bar with a classic Bacardi and Coke or something a little more exotic, buying rum online from a retailer with a solid reputation is vital. Look for a retailer with high customer satisfaction scores and has been in business for a while.
You should also ensure that the rum you buy is authentic and not fake; if you see any suspicious details on a product page, such as the brand name is misspelled or other hints of tampering, you should avoid that site altogether.
From a festive tiki cocktail to a refined Hemingway daiquiri, rum is a staple worldwide in many bars and liquor cabinets. Although ordering rum online can be straightforward, you need to exercise caution to be sure the bottle you receive is high-quality and authentic.
Read Reviews
Rum isn’t a spirit with the same broad appeal as whiskey, but it’s slowly climbing up the ranks. It’s often associated with stunning Caribbean islands and swashbuckling pirates (although they probably never said “Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum”). It’s also a staple in many bars and liquor cabinets, thanks to its versatile flavor profile and the wide range of cocktails it can be used in.
But to understand what makes rum different from other spirits, you must go beyond just reading reviews. Rum, unlike whisky, has a more active community, and plenty of people love to share their expertise on it. For instance, rum-loving experts comment on certain Facebook rum groups, patiently dispelling brand propaganda and explaining the technical reasons why some rum varieties come in the forms they do.
But a newer, more feature-rich website is quickly becoming the standard for aggregating and summarizing expert opinions on rums worldwide. It’s an excellent place to get started, especially for those who need more time to read individual rum reviews.
Check the Proof
Rum is one of the most complex spirits in the world, able to take on a variety of flavors depending on the length and type of aging. It is also the spirit most associated with tropical Caribbean islands and swashbuckling pirates. But the rum renaissance is not just about adding fanciful flavoring to this popular spirit; it’s also about experimenting with different styles and making the best use of this versatile drink in cocktails.
When it comes to buying rum, knowing the proof is essential. Compared to whisky, which has a legal definition for its strength, rum could be clearer-cut. However, some standard rules can help you find the right bottle.
Firstly, the term “proof” refers to the alcohol content of the rum. It is a percentage of the total volume and can be found on the bottle’s label. The higher the proof, the more alcohol there is in the rum.
The second thing to look out for is the region of origin of the rum.
Finally, the last thing to consider is whether the rum is light, gold, or dark. Light rums are known as white and silver and usually have a sweeter taste because they haven’t undergone any aging. On the other hand, dark rums are rich and mature with a depth of flavor, which makes them perfect for mixing into cocktails.
Check the Age
Rum is a spirit associated with tropical islands and swashbuckling pirates (although none of them said, ‘Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum’). It’s also the perfect spirit for mixing because it has many flavors. In its simplest form, it is a clear liquid distilled from molasses and aged in oak casks. Then you can add fruit, spices, and other ingredients to create a whole host of drinks.
Many rums are made in tropical climates and mature far quicker than other spirits like Scotch or Cognac. It is because the heat and humidity increase the ‘angels share’ – the amount of evaporation from the barrel. It means a five-year-old rum will have the same flavor profile as a 10-15-year-old rum.
As a result, light or white rum tend to be lighter in flavor, while dark or amber rums have much more complexity. Aged rums can be enjoyed neat or with water or ice to create complex flavors.
The rum market is booming, and plenty of options suit all budgets. You can find a fantastic aged rum for around PS12 a bottle – significantly less than it would cost to buy a comparable bottle of whisky or gin.
