Rum, made from sugar cane, is one of the most versatile spirits. In addition to molasses, a by-product of sugar production, sugar cane juice or honey can also serve as the basis. But how much sugar is really in rum? While some varieties contain almost no residual sugar, others have sugar added after distillation to influence the flavour.
In Europe, there are clear rules for the production of rum: the alcohol content must be at least 37.5% and the addition of flavourings is prohibited - but the issue of sugar remains a complex one!
Why is rum so sweet?
But how much sugar does rum contain?
The sugar content is also prescribed by law. A new EU regulation states that it must not exceed 20 g per litre!
If the sugar content is over 20 g per litre, it is a rum-based spirit and may not be called rum.
What is practised?
As with whisky, rum can also be coloured by adding caramelised sugar. These are very small amounts of caramelised sugar that are used to ensure even colouring within a rum.
Unfortunately, the trend has been towards ever sweeter rums. In itself, additional sugar has no place in rum. Rum is not a liqueur, which must contain at least 70 g of sugar per litre.
Many consumers like the sweet flavour of rum!
Rums used to contain up to 100 g of added sugar! After these measurements, a directive came into force for the European market that only allows 20 g of sugar per litre (EU Spirits Act, Regulation (EU) 2019/787). Rum falls under EU food labelling law.
The new limit for the sugar content of rum will apply in the European Union from May 2021.
What else is in the rum?
When a rum-based spirit or rum is flavoured, there is the category of spiced rum. Here, all kinds of flavours such as vanilla, cinnamon, cloves etc. are added to the rum. Here too, the alcohol content must be at least 37.5%. The label must clearly state that it is spiced rum. Flavoured rum is when it is flavoured with fruit.
The top category for all rums flavoured with an additive is correctly called rum-based spirit!
The European Spirits Regulation is interesting in this context:
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32019R0787
Conclusion
Rum is a demanding product when it comes to the transparency of its ingredients! Information such as flavourings, sweeteners, sugar content or age information can be on the label, but it doesn't always have to be. Whisky.de endeavours to offer guidance and make purchasing decisions easier by providing detailed descriptions of the various rum varieties and rum-based spirits.
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