Rum varieties

Sylvia Simm | 02. August 2024

Rum is very diverse. From well-known rums such as Bacardi, Captain Morgan and Havana Club to high-quality, expensive varieties such as Zacapa and Imperial, there is the right rum for every connoisseur. Produced in countless countries and available on the market in countless varieties, it is difficult to provide an overview. We try!

Table of content

What is rum?

In general, rum is a spirit made from sugar cane with a minimum alcohol content of 37.5%! Overall, rum is not as strictly regulated as whisky. It can therefore be unaged, coloured or blended, for example. It is mainly produced in the Caribbean and can be categorised according to different criteria. If you consider the many possibilities, you can assume that the majority of rums are blended rums. As a long-standing whisky shop, we would like to point out that blended whisky is therefore not comparable with the quality standard of blended rum.

With a blended rum, you receive a representative spirit from the rum range.

Our rum range

Buckingham Palace Coronation Navy Rum /2023
Buckingham Palace Coronation Navy Rum /2023
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Austrian Empire Navy Rum Reserve Oloroso
Austrian Empire Navy Rum Reserve Oloroso
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Dictador Rum XO Platinum
Dictador Rum XO Platinum
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Flor de Caña 7 Gran Reserva Rum
Flor de Caña 7 Gran Reserva Rum
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Austrian Empire Navy Rum Reserve 1863
Austrian Empire Navy Rum Reserve 1863
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Rhum J.M X.O
Rhum J.M X.O
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Papa Rouyo Vwayaj Rhum 2022
Papa Rouyo Vwayaj Rhum 2022
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Malecon Rum Rare Proof 17Y-2005
Malecon Rum Rare Proof 17Y-2005
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Clément Cuvee Colonne Creole
Clément Cuvee Colonne Creole
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Captain Cane Rum Spirit
Captain Cane Rum Spirit
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Botran Solera No.18 Rum
Botran Solera No.18 Rum
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Ron Centenario Rum Tasting Set
Ron Centenario Rum Tasting Set
0,25/ l · incl.  VAT

The most important rum varieties

Rum is an interesting and very diverse spirit that can be categorised according to a wide variety of criteria.

The following classifications are possible:

Production style

The raw material for rum is sugar cane. A distinction is made between the part of the sugar cane from which the rum is made, molasses, sugar cane juice or sugar cane honey. This results in the different categories of molasses rum and sugar cane rum (link). In addition, a variety of flavours is created by the so-called flavoured or spiced rums (link), which are supplemented with additional flavours from spices, fruit or sugar.

Molasses rum

The most common type of rum on the market is rum distilled from molasses, a by-product of sugar production. It is also known as traditional rum. It can come from sugar cane from different plantations and be produced in one and the same distillery using different processes. The first maturation takes place in bourbon or wine barrels, often followed by further maturation in different barrels. All of this is possible with molasses rum, without it being possible to speak of a blended rum.

The categories include Cuba rum, a particularly light and usually white or golden rum in which the molasses is specially processed. High ester rum or Jamaican-style rum is particularly worth mentioning. It is characterised by a very high ester content. This is the result of a particularly long fermentation process. This chemical compound gives the rum expressive flavours and aromas and makes it aromatic and heavy.

 

Product selection molasses rum
MacNairs Exploration Jamaica Rum
MacNairs Exploration Jamaica Rum
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Plantation Rum OFTD Overproof
Plantation Rum OFTD Overproof
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Rum Nation Panama Rum 10 Years
Rum Nation Panama Rum 10 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Tres Hombres Rum Ed. 65 Barbados 8 Years
Tres Hombres Rum Ed. 65 Barbados 8 Years
0,5/ l · incl.  VAT
Malecon Rum Rare Proof 17Y-2005
Malecon Rum Rare Proof 17Y-2005
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Plantation Rum Grande Reserva
Plantation Rum Grande Reserva
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Savanna Le Must Rhum Traditionnel
Savanna Le Must Rhum Traditionnel
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Don Q Rum Double Cask Finish Port
Don Q Rum Double Cask Finish Port
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
El Dorado Rum 12 Years
El Dorado Rum 12 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Santa Teresa 1796 Rum Arabica Coffee Cask
Santa Teresa 1796 Rum Arabica Coffee Cask
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Don Papa Rum Sherry Cask
Don Papa Rum Sherry Cask
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Planteray Rum Mauritius 11Y-2013
Planteray Rum Mauritius 11Y-2013
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT

Sugar cane rum

This rum is made from chopped sugar cane or the juice of the sugar cane. For this purpose, the sugar cane must be crushed or pressed, including the special type of rhum agricole made from fresh sugar cane juice. Rhum Agricole is a protected designation for rum that must be produced in accordance with the regulations laid down by the countries of origin.

In addition, the French Antilles produce according to AOC regulations! The AOC regulations, Appellation d'Origine Controlée, stand for a controlled designation of origin. It is monitored from France.

 

Rum made from sugar cane honey

Rum made from sugar cane honey, also known as sugarcane honey rum, is obtained by extracting liquid from the sugar cane juice. It is viscous and very concentrated.

Product selection sugar cane rum
Rhum J.M VSOP
Rhum J.M VSOP
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Depaz Rhum XO 8 Years
Depaz Rhum XO 8 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Rhum J.M La Dame Jeanne N.2
Rhum J.M La Dame Jeanne N.2
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Neisson Profile 105 Rhum
Neisson Profile 105 Rhum
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Amrut Two Indies Rum /2023
Amrut Two Indies Rum /2023
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Ron Zacapa Solera Rum
Ron Zacapa Solera Rum
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Ron Zacapa 23 La Armonia Rum - Heavenly Cask Collection
Ron Zacapa 23 La Armonia Rum - Heavenly Cask Collection
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Flor de Caña 18 Years
Flor de Caña 18 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Clément Vieux XO Rhum (B-goods) 6 Years
Clément Vieux XO Rhum (B-goods) 6 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Dillon Rhum VSOP 5 Years
Dillon Rhum VSOP 5 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Saint James Rhum 12 Years
Saint James Rhum 12 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
El Ron Prohibido Reserva 12 Years
El Ron Prohibido Reserva 12 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT

Blended rum

Blending means mixing and rum can and is mixed in many different ways. Rum varieties from different distilleries as well as from different countries can be combined. Blends are also used when different raw materials - e.g. sugar cane juice and molasses - are distilled or the sugar cane comes from different plantations. The age and different production methods can also characterise a blended rum. Rum from the same distillery can also be blended using different distillation methods or from different barrels, for example with subsequent ageing in bourbon, sherry or cognac barrels.

Dos Maderas Seleccion Rum is an example of the art of rum blending. Here, rum from two countries was married in different sherry casks. Or Bank's Rum, which was created from 23 different rums distilled in eight distilleries and seven different countries.

The counter-development to this is the "Single Estate Rum", where the focus is on something special: only from one plantation, only from one growing region, etc. The aim is to emphasise the terroir. The aim is to emphasise the terroir. The term "single origin rum" is also commonly used.

Product selection Blended Rum
Botucal Mantuano Rum - Traditional Range
Botucal Mantuano Rum - Traditional Range
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaican Rum
Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaican Rum
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Mount Gay XO Rum
Mount Gay XO Rum 20%
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Rum Club Private Selection Edition 37 Navy Blend - Next Generation
Rum Club Private Selection Edition 37 Navy Blend - Next Generation
0,5/ l · incl.  VAT
Takamaka St. Andre PTI Lakaz Rum
Takamaka St. Andre PTI Lakaz Rum
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
El Dorado Rum 15 Years
El Dorado Rum 15 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
William Hinton Single Whisky Cask Finish Rum 6 Years
William Hinton Single Whisky Cask Finish Rum 6 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Don Pancho Origenes Reserva 8 Years
Don Pancho Origenes Reserva 8 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Minoki Mizunara Cask Finished Rum /2022
Minoki Mizunara Cask Finished Rum /2022
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Jamaica Rum - Blue Marlin "Whisky.de exclusive"
Jamaica Rum - Blue Marlin "Whisky.de exclusive"
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Romero & Sons 100% Pot Still Rum 9 Years
Romero & Sons 100% Pot Still Rum 9 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Takamaka St. Andre Zepis Creole Rum
Takamaka St. Andre Zepis Creole Rum
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT

Rum-based spirit

While pure rum is produced according to strict specifications, a rum-based spirit is characterised by the addition of other ingredients that give the drink a special flavour. As long as the basis of the drink is sugar cane, whether in the form of molasses or sugar cane juice, it is referred to as a rum-based spirit. Typical for these drinks is an alcohol content of less than 37.5 % vol. and a sugar content of more than 20 g per litre. The addition of colourings can also play a role.

The best-known representatives of this category include spiced rum and flavoured rum. Spiced rum is rum that has been refined with various flavours, in particular sugar, vanilla and a variety of spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger. These spicy flavours make spiced rum a popular choice for winter mixed drinks. It is characterised by its soft, light texture and is therefore easy to enjoy. The minimum alcohol content is 37.5% vol. However, if the rum is flavoured with fruit, it is referred to as flavoured rum. This also offers a smooth, interesting flavour variant of classic rum and is very popular.

Product selection of rum-based spirits
A.H. Riise Danish Navy Rum Spirit
A.H. Riise Danish Navy Rum Spirit
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Langs Banana Spiced Rum
Langs Banana Spiced Rum
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Remedy Spiced Rum
Remedy Spiced Rum
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
A.H. Riise XO Founders Reserve
A.H. Riise XO Founders Reserve
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Mermaid Spiced Rum
Mermaid Spiced Rum
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Don Papa Baroko Rum Spirit
Don Papa Baroko Rum Spirit
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Old Bert Summer Spiced Rum
Old Bert Summer Spiced Rum
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
The Kraken Unknown Deep #3 Black Spiced Rum Limited Edition
The Kraken Unknown Deep #3 Black Spiced Rum Limited Edition
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Captain Cane Rum Spirit
Captain Cane Rum Spirit
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Austrian Empire Navy Rum Reserve 1863
Austrian Empire Navy Rum Reserve 1863
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Plantation Stiggin's Fancy Pineapple Rum Spirit
Plantation Stiggin's Fancy Pineapple Rum Spirit
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Remedy Pineapple Rum Spirit
Remedy Pineapple Rum Spirit
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT

Production method

The production of rum is very diverse; it can be distilled both in a column still and in a pot still. Its fermentation time varies considerably. A particularly long fermentation produces a high ester rum.

Colour and age

Depending on the type and duration of storage, white (colourless) rum and brown rum are produced in various shades of golden brown to dark brown, almost black.

White rum:

It is clear and generally mild in flavour. Here you will find rums that are mainly used for mixing cocktails. They are stored for between one and four years and then filtered to remove the colour.

Brown rum:

Ageing in barrels gives it a golden colour, which is why it is also referred to as golden rum . It becomes stronger in flavour through barrel ageing. Ideally, brown rum is enjoyed neat and is very suitable for mixing stronger rum cocktails. With black rum , the rich caramel flavour of the molasses is brought to the fore during production. Burnt caramel is also used to achieve a particularly dark colour. Due to their pronounced caramel flavour, these rums are often used in the confectionery and baking industry, as they provide good sweetness.

Age of the rum

- Reserva: at least 36 months, of which 12 months in cask, the rest in bottle
- Gran Reserva: at least 60 months, of which 18 months in barrel, the rest in bottle
- Anejo or Vieux: means old, without specifying a particular age
- VO: Very Old, at least 3 years in oak barrels
- VSOP: Very Superior Old Pale, at least 4 years in oak barrels
- XO: Extra Old, at least 6 years in oak barrels
- Rum hors d'age at least 10 years
- Premiumrum, 10 to 20 years old rum

It should be noted that rums produced in accordance with the guidelines of the Appellation d'origine contrôlée(AOC) may have different age designations.

 

Country of origin

Rum has its origins in the Caribbean and even today over 80 per cent of rum still comes from these countries, such as Cuba, Jamaica, Barbados, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Nowadays, rum is produced in all parts of the world. This results in a variety of rum styles, as each country has its own methods.

In our shop you will find a categorisation of rums by style as well as by country!

Style direction

There is the so-called English, Spanish or French style of rum production. The styles are characterised by the respective former colonial rulers of the respective islands and countries.

Spanish-style rum

Spanish-style rums are made from molasses and are usually mild, smooth and sweet. They are mainly produced in column stills. The makers often come from sherry production and bottle using the solera method. It tastes round and complex and, depending on its age, ranges from light to oily. Fermentation takes place with cultivated yeasts. The most popular Spanish-style rums come from Cuba, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.

English-style rum

This type is also traditionally made from molasses and usually matures for several years in barrels. It is usually a classic, aromatic, spicy, dark rum, often with a higher percentage. The English style uses wild yeasts for fermentation. It is often distilled in batches in pot stills. The most popular English rums are produced in Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Mauritius.

French-stylerum

French-style rum is made from sugar cane juice and is also known as "Rhum Agricole". Whereby "Rhum Agricole" also includes agricultural production as opposed to industrial production. French-style rum differs significantly from Spanish or English-style rum. The style is characterised by fruitiness and is often described as elegant. The most popular French-style rums come from Haiti, Martinique and Guadeloupe.

 

 

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Sylvia Simm is an experienced employee of Whisky.de. After more than 20 years in online sales and service, she supports the company with her extensive whisky knowledge in marketing. As online editor and content manager, she is responsible for editing and updating the texts on the knowledge pages.

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