What is rum?
Rum is a spirit which can be made from sugar cane juice or from sugar cane molasses. After the distillation, the spirit is clear and receives its golden to brown colour during the subsequent maturation in oak casks.
The history of rum
High-proof alcoholic beverages made from sugar were produced by the Malayans thousands of years ago. In the 14th century, Marco Polo wrote about a “a very good wine made from sugar”, which was offered to him in the region of today’s Iran.
For a long time, historians assumed that rum was first produced in Barbados although the spirit was verifiably produced in Brasil at the same time. The rum that we know today, however, was first distilled in the 17th century. On Caribbean sugar cane plantations, slaves discovered that the molasses, which were left during the production of sugar, could be fermented to alcohol.
Soon, the production methods spread to colonial North America. There, the drink became so popular that in Rhode Island, it was accepted as a currency besides gold for a short amount of time. It took a taxation on sugar imports and the development of the American whiskey for the high demand for rum to decrease.
Rum today
Today, rum is one of the most popular spirits in the world. The reason for this is not only the many combination possibilities in cocktails and mixed drinks but also the development of many modern, independent distilleries that meet the current zeitgeist. The include Kraken Rum, Pyrat and Deadhead among others. But more traditional brands like Ron Zacapa, Diplomático, Ron Centenario, Angostura and Havana Club are still enjoying great popularity as well.
What types of rum are there?
To make it easier to classify rum, several fixed definitions exist that should make it easier for consumers to find their way around the large rum market. Most common are terms like “Original Rum”, “Blended Rum” and “Flavoured Rum”.
- The term Original Rum refers to rums that were not changed after the import.
- A Blended Rum is made from several different rums that are mixed together.
- A Flavoured Rum (sometimes labelled as “Spiced Rum”), may be flavoured with different additives and spices.
The maturation of rum
Although there are exceptions, most high-quality rums are matured for many years in wooden casks. Rums that were matured for years usually showcases a more complex aromatic profile and a darker colour. However, don’t rely on the dark colour alone: Many producers use caramel colour to give their rum a darker tint to create the appearance of a higher-quality spirit.
When it comes to the maturation, there are different terms that are used to indicate the type and length of the storage. The term “Solera”, for example, indicates a maturation in the Solera system. Terms like reserva and gran reserva suggest that the rum matured for at least three years (reserva) or five years (gran reserva).
Rum at Gustero
Gustero offers a great selection of more than 100 premium rums, including rums by Ron Zacapa, Diplomático, El Dorado, Plantation, Captain Morgan, Ron Abuelo and A.H. Riise. Browse our assortment now!
