The different types of rum

An exotic spirit, rum has today conquered the  worldwide thanks to its rich and delicious aromas as well as  its great versatility . A drink with origins rooted in Caribbean mysteries and shaped by centuries of tradition, rum  transports us to each tasting  In a comforting sensory journey . 

In this article, we will explore all its secrets together:  its different types and styles ,  its origins , but also  the different ones  ways to appreciate it . We will also give you some vocabulary so that you can better understand its universe in its entirety.

Happy reading!

The origins of rum

The roots of rum are closely linked to its raw material:  sugar cane . So, to understand the emergence of rum, we must first explore the history of cane! 

There  sugar cane is  originating from  New Guinea as well as  surrounding islands of Southeast Asia. The first traces of its exploitation date back to around 8000 BC ., distant period  where indigenous peoples were already using cane for its sweet properties. Over time, cane cultivation  spread throughout Asia, India, and then the Middle East , where it then became a major agricultural crop. 

In the Middle Ages,  8th and 9th centuries AD , sugar cane  was  introduced  in Europe by the Arabs , mainly in Spain and Portugal. The latter was then cultivated there for its medicinal virtues but  also as an ornamental plant.

During the 16th century ,  This one was finally  introduced to the Caribbean by European settlers , mainly Spanish and Portuguese. Christopher Columbus is often credited with bringing sugar cane to the region on his second voyage in 1493.

Sugarcane cultivation subsequently spread rapidly throughout the region, taking advantage of favorable climatic conditions  as well as the available labor force, first indigenous, then with  the importation of African slaves The Caribbean then became one of the world's major sugar production centers, fueling a lucrative trade that had a profound impact on the history of the region and the world. 16th and 17th centuries mark thus the golden age of sugar cane .

It is also during  THE 17th century that l it is first documented traces of rum production appear in the region, particularly in Barbados,  in Jamaica and  in Martinique. It is important to note, however, that similar sugarcane distillation techniques may have been used in other parts of the world, such as India and South America, long before Europeans arrived in the Caribbean.

The emergence of rum  would have been mainly caused by the search for new industrial outlets from the planters. The latter,  faced with a surplus molasses (a by-product of sugar production, we will come back to this), then looked for ways to valorize this sugary residue.

So, after many  Through experimentation and the use of rudimentary distillation processes, the first stills transformed molasses into a robust, aromatic spirit, laying the foundation for what would become rum.

Over the centuries, and after many improvements, rum finally became the iconic drink from the Caribbean Islands , traveling across the oceans to conquer the entire world. Today, it is celebrated for its diversity of styles, its complex aromas and its central role in the culture and gastronomy of the regions where it is produced. 

The differences between agricultural rum and rum  of molasses

The main difference between a  agricultural rum and one  molasses rum  (or traditional) resides in the  raw material . Agricultural rum is in fact made from fresh sugar cane juice  (called "vesou") while traditional rum is produced from molasses , a by-product of the sugar industry.

This difference in raw material has a strong influence on the taste, texture and character of the rums.

Molasses Rum  represents today 90% of the world market .  Most producing countries (Cuba, Venezuela, Guatemala, Barbados, Jamaica, Dominican Republic etc.) create  and export this type of rum. The aromas of traditional rum can be very varied and depend on many factors. However,  roundness and deliciousness emerge from the whole and the aromatic present  of the notes  fruity as well as  vanilla, sweet spices and caramel for those aged in barrels.

Agricultural rum is as for him very much in the minority (10% of world production) and is mainly produced in the French islands (Martinique, Guadeloupe, partly in Reunion etc.). Sugar cane strongly marks the aromatic profile of these rums with herbal, vegetal and fruity notes ...although aromas of vanilla, sweet spices and caramel  are also present for spirits aged in barrels.

Although agricultural rum is often perceived as more noble and discerning enthusiasts regularly turn to this style, It is not possible to say that one style of rum is superior to another. . This depends on many factors specific to each brand and spirit, but also and above all  of personal tastes !

The different types of rum

Rum is a spirit that can take many forms and can be enjoyed in many ways. Let’s explore its main types!

White rum

White rum is an unaged rum . This is in fact only kept in a stainless steel vat (and not in wood) for a few weeks, preserving  thus its light color. White rum can be agricultural or traditional.  and is mainly used in cocktails because of its freshness and his lively character .

Amber rum

Amber rum is somewhere between white rum and old rum (see below). Generally, the latter undergoes a aging for a few months in barrels or in tuns (large wooden containers) to give it a golden hue. Note that some brands use caramel  to give their rums a more attractive color, thus simulating longer aging.

Amber rum generally has subtle woody aromas and offer a balance between the freshness of white rum and the complexity of old rum .

Rum  brown

Dark rum is a very colorful amber rum having therefore generally known longer wood aging . It does however happen regularly that the dark colour of brown rums is mainly due to a significant addition of caramel .

The dark rum has aromas of very ripe exotic fruits, caramel as well as woody and spicy notes.

Old rum

An old rum is generally described as such when it has passed several years under wood . As global rum legislation is very permissive, there is no specific duration characterizing it, but it is  It is commonly accepted that 3 years of aging constitutes a minimum. 

The flavors of an old rum can be very rich and complex ranging from sugar cane to sweet spices (vanilla, clove, pepper, caramel etc.) to intense woody notes. Old rums are the most expensive on the market because they are  the rarest and demanding to achieve .

Arranged rum

The arranged rum is an infusion of traditional or agricultural rum with fruits, spices and herbs , creating unique and customizable flavor variations.

What are the differences between rum and Cachaça?

Although there are some differences, cachaça is an alcohol with many points in common with agricultural rum .

If both spirits are indeed made from pure sugar cane juice, Cachaça can only come from Brazil . The term "Cachaça" is also protected by the country's legislation.

In addition, Cachaça is distilled to a lower alcohol content : between 38% and 48% vol., compared to often 70% for rum, this greatly influencing the final aroma.

Finally, Cachaça is often aged in barrels  with various woods and is not limited to oak alone.Thus, woods such as umburana, eucalyptus or even jequitibá can be used, for example, influencing  also on the taste profile of the alcohol produced.

The different  rum styles

Rums of influence  Spanish

Spanish-influenced rums or "ron" are produced from molasses and are distinguished by their softness and accessibility . They are often sweetened to reinforce this aspect. greedy and consensual .

White rums of this style originate from Cuba (Barcadi, Havana etc.) and are the most consumed rums in the world. They present soft and light aromatics perfectly suited to making cocktails.

Amber rums of this style also aim for flexibility and greed . They have notes of caramel, vanilla, sweet spices and roasting. 

The main countries producing Spanish-influenced rums are Cuba, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic.  Rums from the El brand Gold Shepherd Or Planting (now Planteray) are excellent representatives of this style.

Rums of influence  English

The British Navy forged the history of English-style rum. The Navy in fact selected strong rums so that sailors could dilute them with sugar, water and lime.

Also produced from molasses, the " rums"  are therefore rich, intense , and characterized by a great aromatic complexity .

THE Jamaican Distilleries are for example known to develop very aromatic rums and particularly fruity.

In Guyana , the rums produced are intense and provide weight and texture in the mouth. These are known to be among the most suitable for long aging in wood. 

The main producing countries of English-influenced rums are  Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. 

Rums of influence  French

French-style rums are an exception because they are the only ones that are mainly made from  pure sugar cane juice . 

These agricultural rums have different aromatics from traditional rums. Their character develops over vegetal, herbaceous and fruity notes which is not found in any other style.

White rums of this style  are among the most intense and lively on the market. Amber rums retain these characteristics but they are tempered by aging in wood, bringing a beautiful aromatic richness.

French-style rums are mainly produced in Martinique, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti and Reunion . Note that since 1996, Martinique has been the only territory to benefit from an AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) for rum and therefore from very precise specifications.The brand's rums Neisson are an excellent example of this type of rum. 

Mapping rum according to its style: Spanish, English or French

How do you drink rum?

Rum is a very versatile alcohol that can  appreciate each other at different times and in different ways.

This one can for example be very suitable in aperitif in order to awaken the taste buds but also in digestive for a moment of contemplation.

He  can also be appreciated  in cocktail . Many possibilities then exist such as the Ti' Punch , THE Mojito , THE Free Cuba , there Pina Colada or even the delicious The President .

If you decide to consume pure, We recommend that you consume it at room temperature (around 20°C). If you wish, you can add a few ice cubes. In this case, be careful not to dilute it too much!

Rum: an ideal alcohol for making multiple cocktails

Age statements in rum

Let's now look at the different age indications that exist in the world of rum and that can appear on bottles. These different terms tell us about the length of time the spirit has been aged before being bottled.

VO (Very Old)

The term "VO" is used to designate a rum that has been aged for  a minimum period of 3 years in wood . 

VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale)

The term "VSOP" means that a rum has been aged for a minimum period of 4 years in wood . 

XO (Extra Old)

The term "XO", or "Extra Old", is reserved for rums  having passed  a minimum period of 6 years in barrels . 

Please note, however, that as global rum legislation is not very developed or harmonized, these terms are sometimes used differently from one producer to another.

Small rum glossary

To conclude, here is some vocabulary about rum which will allow you to better understand the information sometimes mentioned on your bottle!

Bagasse

Bagasse is the fibrous residue  remaining  after the extraction of juice from sugar cane. It can be used as fuel for distillation or as a manufacturing material.

Vesou

Vesou is the freshly squeezed sugar cane juice It is used as a raw material for the production of agricultural rum but can also be drunk as such.

Cask Strength

The term "cask strength" refers to an alcohol bottled directly from the aging barrel, without dilution It thus retains all of its alcoholic strength and concentration of aromas.

Full Proof

The term "full proof" indicates that the rum has not experienced no changes between the time of its distillation and its bottling. The alcohol content is therefore generally very high and the aromas intense because the spirit has not had any sugar added, dilution or finishing.

Esters

Esters are chemical compounds naturally present in rum, contributing to its aromas and its complexity.

Cane Honey

A rum  "cane honey" is rum made from a sweet syrup produced by heating pure sugar cane juice. This syrup is then diluted and fermented before finally being distilled to produce the  spirits  final.

Molasses

Molasses is a residue from the production of cane sugar. It comes in the form of a very dark paste, a kind of very concentrated caramel having a high sugar content and presenting aromas of spices, notably liquorice. It is this same molasses which, after having been diluted, will be fermented then distilled in order to produce traditional rums (or molasses rums).

Overproof

An overproof rum is a rum with a alcohol content greater than 57.15% .  It was in fact from this alcoholic volume that the sailors' gunpowder remained flammable if it came into contact with rum.

Angels' Share

The angels' share refers to the part of a spirit evaporating , year by year, during the barrel aging process. This evaporation is mainly linked to the heat and humidity of the storage location. Thus, in islands with tropical climates, the angels' share is much greater  than in the cellars  Europeans.

Single Cask

The term "Single Cask" refers to a spirit aged in a single barrel , thus giving him  the unique expression of the characteristics of the chosen wood.

Small Batch

If the term "Small batch" is indicated on your bottle, this means that  your spirit  has been produced in small volume , allowing  potentially increased quality control. However, there is no law governing the use of the expression.

Solera

A solera is a aging method involving a continuous blending process, where older rums are mixed with younger rums, creating a consistency of quality and flavor.

Finish

A  finish refers to the final period of aging of a spirit. This term is used when, for a few months, an alcohol finishes its aging in a specific barrel or wood (ex-Port, Sherry etc. casks), thus marking the spirit produced with certain specific flavors.

You are now a rum expert! Now all you have to do is choose a nice bottle from The Illuminated Cellar  to celebrate this and put your new knowledge to the test...Health !