Rum

Rum is a distilled spirit traditionally made from sugarcane juice or molasses and typically aged in oak barrels, although experimentation with other barrels also takes place. Rum is most widely associated with the islands of the Caribbean and Latin American countries, but it is made in many countries around the world, including Scotland, Sweden, and the U.S. In Spanish-speaking countries rum is called ron, though no one knows for sure where the word “rum” itself was born. White or silver rum is either unaged or is lightly aged, then filtered to strip out the color; it is generally intended for use in cocktails. Gold or amber rum is aged in oak barrels, though there are no agreed upon standards on how long this term, nor any real distinction between the terms. Dark rum is usually made from caramelized molasses, aged for a longer period of time, and usually in barrels that have been more deeply charred. Overproof rum can hit up to 160 proof and is intended for use in cocktails, including the Volcano, where the overproof rum is floated on top and ignited. Spiced and flavored rums are also quite popular.

Top Rum Posts:

Havana Club Tributo 2017
Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
Bacardi Anejo Cuatro 4 Years Old, Reserva Ocho 8 Years Old, and Gran Reserva Diez 10 Years Old Rum

Review: Rhum Clement Rhum Blanc Agricole (2023)

By Christopher Null | January 25, 2023 |

At some point along the way, Rhum Clement’s Premiere Canne got a rebrand as the more straightforward Rhum Blanc Agricole Martinique. (Canne Bleue, a 100 proof white rum expression, is still around.) This 80 proof product, distilled from sugarcane, is as tried and true as they come, featuring present but not overly aggressive petrol notes,…

The Top 10 Rums of 2022

By Christopher Null | January 19, 2023 |

The resurgence of once hard-to-find brands like Foursquare and Hampden — along with an increasingly impressive showing from independent rum bottlers — are driving the rum world to some incredible heights. If your last encounter with rum left you with a cloying, sugar-drenched taste in your mouth, it’s time to dip back into the category.…

Review: Rum & Cane XO Rums – Asia Pacific, British West Indies, and French Overseas

By Christopher Null | December 24, 2022 |

Rum & Cane is a new line of rums sourced from all over the world and imported by our friends at ImpEx. Three are ongoing vattings, while two single cask offerings are available. We look at the former trio here today, which are all vattings of two different distilleries (often undisclosed in name) from a…

Review: Bacardi Reserva Ocho Rum Rye Cask Finish 8 Years Old

By Christopher Null | December 23, 2022 |

Whiskey makers are in the midst of a love affair with rum barrels for finishing purposes — so why shouldn’t the reverse be true, also? The second part of an annual release of five rums in the Reserva Ocho line, this is the follow-up to last year’s Reserva Ocho Sherry Cask Finish (which we didn’t…

Review: La Marielita Rum 18 Years Old

By Drew Beard | December 18, 2022 |

A new rum has hit the shelves in Florida, California, and New York (available nationally online), and it has a pretty powerful backstory. To wit: Led by Janet Diaz-Bonilla, the first Cuban-American immigrant woman to found and own a rum brand, La Marielita is a proud collaboration of Janet Diaz-Bonilla and fellow Cuban rooted masterminds…

Review: Rhum Clement XO (2022)

By Drew Beard | December 11, 2022 |

Since we first explored the agricole rums of Rhum Clement way, way back in 2008, the Martinique distillery has changed their lineup considerably. The 15-year-old and Cuvee Homere expressions now sit at the top of the line with no less than eight other expressions rounding out the portfolio. One refresh that seemed to slip through…

Drinkhacker’s 2022 Holiday Gift Guide – Best Alcohol/Spirits for Christmas

By Christopher Null | November 24, 2022 |

When they said Covid was over, we didn’t think we’d be summarily dropped into a new financial crisis to replace the one we just got out of. The good news is that the holidays have arrived just in time to provide a welcome (if brief) break from yet another year of chaos. At Drinkhacker, we…

Review: Plantation Stiggins’ Fancy Smoky Formula Rum

By Drew Beard | November 23, 2022 |

When Chris reviewed Plantation’s Pineapple Rum way back in 2015 (now known as Stiggins’ Fancy Plantation Pineapple Rum), he argued that the Queen Victoria pineapple infusion of Plantation’s standard Barbados-sourced rum was a bit heavy-handed and one dimensional. Well, there’s a limited edition of this rum on shelves now. How limited? No idea. Dubbed Smoky…

Review: Ten To One Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish Rum

By Christopher Null | October 20, 2022 |

Ten To One is back with its latest blend of Caribbean rums, this one its first cask-finished buttling. The first in an ongoing “Cask Select” series, and exclusive to Flaviar, this Oloroso Sherry Cask finish begins with a collection of rums sourced from Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Barbados, and Trinidad, before finishing in ex-oloroso sherry…

Review: Grander Panama Rum Trophy Release 20B08 (2022)

By Christopher Null | October 13, 2022 |

Apologies on the long wait for this review of Grander‘s latest Trophy Release, which began in 2020 and has been intended as a twice-yearly edition. Release 20B08 — they’re now indicated with release information on the front label — hit in early 2022, and it’s a batch of 6 barrels from Panama — three 8…