Barbados rum & Spirit Drink
Please note: stock and availability in our store may vary! More info
Planteray Barbados 5y (Planteray Blend)
29
Planteray Barbados 5y (Planteray Blend)
In stock
Planteray Barbados 5y shows the approachable yet expressive side of Barbadian rum. It brings together pot still and column still rum from Stade's West Indies Rum Distillery in Barbados, a distillery founded in 1893 by George Stade.
The ageing story is central here. The rum first matures for three years in Barbados, close to the beach. The casks then travel by sea to France, where the journey itself forms part of what Planteray describes as dynamic maturation. A second ageing period in ex-Ferrand casks brings the total maturation to five years, adding roundness and structure.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this Barbados 5y is the kind of rum we like to introduce when someone is looking for fruit, softness and a touch of spice in a style that remains clear and easy (…)Planteray Barbados XO (Planteray Blend) Incl. Box
86
Planteray Barbados XO (Planteray Blend) Incl. Box
| 1 review
In stockPlanteray Barbados XO is a Barbados rum with a celebratory origin. It was first created as a tribute to master blender Alexandre Gabriel, marking his twentieth year in that role. The idea behind the blend is clear: carefully selected aged rums from Barbados, brought together in a polished XO style with depth, softness and aromatic richness.
The rums all come from the West Indies Rum Distillery in Barbados. They are made from molasses, fermented for 3 to 5 days, and distilled using a combination of pot still and column still. Maturation takes place in several cask types, including white oak, bourbon casks and Ferrand cognac casks, with different levels of toasting. The rums in the blend range from 12 to 20 years old and combine tropical and continental ageing.
Planteray Barbados XO + 2 Glasses (Planteray Blend)
64360° view available
Planteray Barbados XO + 2 Glasses (Planteray Blend)
In stock
Planteray Barbados XO + 2 Glazen is a gift pack built around one of Planteray's most celebrated Barbados rums. The XO was first created as a tribute to master blender Alexandre Gabriel, marking his twentieth anniversary in that role, and it shows a clear affection for historical technique and creative blending.
All the rums used for this blend were distilled at the West Indies Rum Distillery in Barbados. They are made from molasses, fermented for 3 to 5 days, and distilled through a combination of pot still and column still. Maturation adds another layer, with white oak, bourbon casks and Ferrand cognac casks involved, each with different levels of toasting.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum we like to present when someone wants a Barbados XO (…)Planteray Grande Reserve (Planteray Blend)
31
Planteray Grande Reserve (Planteray Blend)
In stock
Planteray Grande Reserve is a molasses-based rum from Barbados, created as a tribute to the island's rum culture. Its roots are at Stade's West Indies Rum Distillery on Brighton Beach, founded in 1893, where tradition is kept alive through the Distiller's Vault archives and a collection of vintage stills.
Part of the blend is made in Old Gregg's, a copper still handcrafted in 1850. Together with pot still and column distillation, that gives the rum a clear sense of heritage without making it feel overly formal or difficult to approach.
A Cognac finish adds an extra maturation accent to a style built around ripe fruit and gentle sweetness. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see Planteray Grande Reserve as a Barbados rum with broad appeal, but also with enough (…)Planteray Pxxo (Planteray Blend) Incl. Box
67
Planteray Pxxo (Planteray Blend) Incl. Box
In stock
Planteray PXXO is a Barbados rum with a maturation story that gives it much of its personality. It first ages in the tropical climate of Barbados in bourbon casks, then continues its development in France in Ferrand casks, before receiving a final finish in Pedro Ximenez casks. That three-stage approach brings depth and a polished, composed feel.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum we would place among bottles made for unhurried sipping. It is a molasses-based rum at 40%, produced in a traditional column style, with fruit, spice and wood all playing a clear role in its character.
Planteray describes PXXO as a tribute to traditional craftsmanship, and the style follows that idea closely: smooth, refined and generous without becoming heavy. The (…)Canerock Spiced Rum
41
Canerock Spiced Rum
Only 2 left in stock!
Canerock Spiced Rum is built on a blend of 100% aged rum from Barbados, sourced from the West Indies Rum Distillery. That mature rum base is enriched with carefully selected natural spices, giving it an inviting style with clear notes of vanilla, coconut and ginger. It immediately brings a warm Barbadian atmosphere into the glass.
Traditional column distillation and the influence of sherry and bourbon casks give Canerock its rounded, spiced and fruity personality. It has enough flavour to enjoy neat, yet it also works naturally over ice when you want something smooth, aromatic and relaxed.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of spiced rum we point out to customers looking for generous flavour without a sharp edge. The turtle emblem on the bottle refers (…)Planteray Cut & Dry (Planteray Blend)
44360° view available
Planteray Cut & Dry (Planteray Blend)
In stock
Planteray Cut & Dry brings Barbados rum and coconut together in a very clear, characterful way. This limited edition is made from molasses-based rum and built around ripe coconuts, which are harvested, cracked open and left outside to dry naturally before being infused into the rum.
Its most distinctive detail is the ratio: one coconut per litre of rum. The dried coconut pieces are infused in a blend of unaged Barbados column still rum and unaged Gregg pot still rum, before being blended with Barbados rum aged up to 3 years. A dosage of 30 g/L, together with cane sugar caramel, adds a gentle sweetness to the final blend.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, Cut & Dry stands out as a rum with an unmistakably tropical voice, while still keeping Barbados rum at its (…)Foursquare Veritas
360° view available
Foursquare Veritas
In stock
Foursquare Veritas is a Barbados rum made from molasses, with its character shaped by a combination of pot still and column distillation. Rather than leaning on an age statement, it presents itself through style, structure and a clear sense of rum identity.
At 47% ABV, Veritas has enough strength to carry its spiced and fruity side with confidence. The sweeter notes remain more restrained, while light floral and vegetal accents add extra definition. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a rum for drinkers who appreciate clarity and presence over heavy wood influence.
It is a bottle that speaks directly: Barbados origin, Foursquare name, and a profile built around expression rather than decoration.
The flavour impression centres on clear (…)Mount Gay Eclipse
3360° view available
Mount Gay Eclipse
In stock
Mount Gay Eclipse is a Barbados rum from Mount Gay, bottled at 40% alcohol. The name keeps things refreshingly clear: Mount Gay, Barbados, rum, with no need for an overcomplicated story.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, it sits well among rums for customers who are looking specifically for a Barbados bottle from a well-defined brand. Eclipse is straightforward in its presentation: a rum with a clear origin, a familiar producer name and a classic bottling strength.
Additional information about the brand can be found at https://www.mountgayrum.com/
No specific tasting notes have been provided for Mount Gay Eclipse. Based on the available information, it can be described as a Barbados rum from Mount Gay, bottled at 40% alcohol.Mount Gay Black Barrel
48360° view available
Mount Gay Black Barrel
In stock
Mount Gay Black Barrel is a molasses-based rum from Barbados, bottled at 43%. Rather than leaning on an age statement, it presents itself through style: Barbadian rum, shaped by distillation choices and bourbon barrel maturation.
Its character is built on a combination of pot still and column distillation. That gives the rum more depth than a purely light style, while the bourbon barrel influence adds a restrained touch of wood. At Drankenshop Broekmans, Black Barrel sits comfortably among rums for drinkers looking for a fruit-led Barbados profile with a gentle spiced edge.
More information about the brand can be found at https://www.mountgayrum.com/
The flavour profile is clearly fruit-driven, with wood and spice playing a supporting role. (…)Barbados 2000 23y Tb (Thompson Brothers)
LAST PIECES197360° view available
Barbados 2000 23y Tb (Thompson Brothers)
On request only
Barbados 2000 23y TB from Thompson Brothers is a molasses-based rum with a very focused identity: Barbados origin, distilled in 2000, matured for 23 years and drawn from a single refill barrel. The distillation style combines pot still and column distillation, adding another layer to the way this rum is framed.
Only 247 bottles came from this cask, and the remaining availability is limited to the last bottles. Rather than presenting a broad house blend, this release captures one individual barrel after long maturation, bottled at 48.5%.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum we like to present to customers who are curious about specific cask selections. The supplied profile points towards a rum where wood and spice carry the main weight, with (…)Barbados 2011 14y (Berry Bros Odyssey Range)
LAST PIECES166
Barbados 2011 14y (Berry Bros Odyssey Range)
On request only
Berry Bros. & Rudd Barbados 2011 14y is an independent rum bottling from the Odyssey Range, sourced from Foursquare in Barbados. It was bottled as Cask #22 after 14 years of maturation, drawn at cask strength with an ABV of 60.2%.
The interest here lies in its very clear sense of origin and method. Made from molasses, distilled through a combination of pot and column stills, and matured in a bourbon barrel, it reflects the classical Barbados rum style described in the supplied information. Foursquare is presented as a fourth-generation family rum house led by Richard Seale, with a commitment to rum made without added sugar, colour or flavourings.
For Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum that earns attention through detail rather than noise: one (…)Barbados 2013 10y Foursquare (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
LAST PIECES108360° view available
Barbados 2013 10y Foursquare (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
On request only
Barbados 2013 10y Foursquare from Daily Dram is a molasses rum distilled at Foursquare in Barbados and bottled by The Nectar after 10 years of maturation. Its pot still and column distillation give it a layered foundation, while the bourbon barrel influence supports the rum without taking attention away from its tropical and spicy side.
This is a single cask release bottled at cask strength. Only 250 bottles were filled, and with the last bottles now in circulation, it feels very much like a precise snapshot from one individual barrel rather than a standard batch. At Drankenshop Broekmans, these are the kinds of rums that stand out: direct, concentrated and clearly shaped by their origin and cask.
At 64.9% ABV, it carries real strength, yet the tasting notes (…)Barbados Fs 2011 13y 44 (Nobilis Rum) Incl. Box
149360° view available
Barbados Fs 2011 13y 44 (Nobilis Rum) Incl. Box
In stock
Barbados FS 2011 13y 44 from Nobilis Rum is built around a clear set of markers: Barbados origin, 2011 distillation and 13 years of maturation. Rather than presenting itself through a long backstory, it lets those essentials define its place.
At 60.5% alcohol, this is a firmly presented rum. The strength gives the bottling a serious, concentrated feel, while the available product information does not provide specific aroma or flavour notes. That makes it a bottle best approached with attention rather than assumptions.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this Nobilis Rum sits well among selections for drinkers who appreciate aged Barbados rum and focused independent-style releases. With the last bottles now indicated, it is also a rum that is gradually becoming harder (…)Bumbu Rum Original
19360° view available
Bumbu Rum Original
In stock
Bumbu Rum Original is a spiced rum from Barbados with a broad, approachable style. Its character is built around clear fruity sweetness, with gentle spice and a light floral accent adding lift rather than weight.
Made in a traditional column distilling style and associated with bourbon cask maturation, it is presented without an age statement. The emphasis is therefore less on age and more on its rounded, aromatic spiced rum profile.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, Bumbu Original sits comfortably among rums for customers who enjoy a sweeter, fruit-forward spiced style without a pronounced woody edge.
Additional information about the brand can be found at https://bumbu.com/
The flavour impression of Bumbu Rum Original is led by clear (…)Bumbu XO
43360° view available
Bumbu XO
In stock
Bumbu XO is a molasses-based rum from Barbados, bottled at 40% alcohol. It is produced using multicolumn distillation and has a connection with bourbon casks, yet its character is best understood through its sweet-spiced profile, with fruit sitting in a lighter supporting role.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum we would point out to someone looking for warmth, spice and rounded sweetness rather than a strongly wood-driven style. The XO name gives it a polished feel, while the flavour direction remains clearly focused on an inviting spiced rum character.
Additional information about Bumbu can be found at https://bumbu.com/
The tasting impression is shaped by clear spice and a similarly noticeable sweetness. Fruit is present in a (…)Cockspur Fine Rum
23360° view available
Cockspur Fine Rum
Not available for shipping
Cockspur Fine Rum is a Barbados molasses rum, distilled in a multicolumn style and bottled at 40%. It presents itself in a straightforward, approachable way, with spice as the clearest part of its personality rather than heavy oak influence.
A 2-year maturation in American oak adds a gentle wood note, while the overall profile keeps a lighter touch of fruit, sweetness and floral nuance around that spiced core. It is the kind of rum that feels practical and familiar, with enough Barbados identity to make it more than just a neutral mixing bottle.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, Cockspur Fine Rum sits comfortably among rums for customers looking for a well-known, versatile Barbados style with a warm spiced accent and an uncomplicated character.
Doorly's 3y White
26360° view available
Doorly's 3y White
In stock
Doorly's 3y White is a white rum from Barbados, bottled at 40%, with the product name pointing to three years of age. It is a straightforward bottle in the best sense: clear in origin, clear in style, and unmistakably part of the Doorly's rum range.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as the kind of rum where the essentials matter most. Barbados gives the bottle its geographical identity, while the white style sets it apart from darker rum expressions on the shelf.
Only the last bottles are still available in our selection. That does not change the nature of the rum, but it does make this Doorly's 3y White a bottle to keep in mind if this specific Barbados white rum is what you are looking for.
No detailed tasting notes have been supplied for (…)Foursquare 2005 16y Tb (Thompson Brothers)
LAST PIECES194360° view available
Foursquare 2005 16y Tb (Thompson Brothers)
On request only
Foursquare 2005 16y Tb is a molasses-based Barbados rum bottled by Thompson Brothers. Its appeal lies in the way the details come together: distilled in 2005, bottled in 2021, matured for 16 years and released as a single cask at cask strength.
The rum was aged in a Bourbon Barrel and made using pot still and column distillation. That gives this bottling a clear identity: one cask, one maturation path and a direct presentation at 57% ABV, without turning it into a routine house style.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this sits among the more characterful rum selections: limited, cask-driven and rooted in Barbados. With only the last bottles remaining, it feels very much like a defined release rather than a rum that will simply stay on the shelf year after year.
Foursquare 2005 Velier 1,5l (Velier Elliott Erwitt)
COLLECTOR250360° view available
Foursquare 2005 Velier 1,5l (Velier Elliott Erwitt)
Very last one in stock!
Foursquare 2005 Velier 1.5l is a Barbados molasses rum with immediate presence, partly because of its magnum format and partly because of the names behind it. Bottled by Velier as part of the Elliott Erwitt series, it was distilled in 2005, aged for 16 years, and made using both pot still and column distillation.
Maturation in bourbon barrel and bottling at cask strength give this release a firm, uncompromising profile. At 61% alcohol, it is a powerful rum, with wood influence and fruit standing clearly at the centre, supported by lighter spicy and floral touches.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this bottle stands out through the combination of Foursquare, Velier, the 1.5-litre format and a limited outturn of 600 bottles. With the last bottles now indicated and the (…)Foursquare 2007 14y Tb (Thompson Brothers)
LAST PIECES132360° view available
Foursquare 2007 14y Tb (Thompson Brothers)
Very last one in stock!
Foursquare 2007 14y TB is a Barbados molasses rum released under the Thompson Brothers name. Its appeal lies in the way the details come together: distilled in December 2007, bottled in October 2022, aged for 14 years and drawn from a single cask.
Only 272 bottles were produced, so this is a tightly limited bottling rather than a regular release. The refill barrel points to a cask influence that stays in a supporting role, while the 57.1% strength gives the rum a firm, cask-strength presence.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this sits well among rums chosen for drinkers who like a more focused view of Barbados rum through one individual cask. The flavour direction is not built around one dominant note; instead, it shows a light spread of fruit, sweetness, spice, (…)Foursquare 2007 Nectar (Campbeltown Whisky Company - Watt Whisky)
LAST PIECES132
Foursquare 2007 Nectar (Campbeltown Whisky Company - Watt Whisky)
On request only
Foursquare 2007 Nectar is built around a very specific snapshot of Barbados rum: distilled in 2007, bottled in 2021 and matured for 14 years. Made from molasses and distilled using both pot still and column still, it sits firmly in a more serious, spirit-led style of rum.
Its appeal lies in the way it has been presented. This is a single cask release from a bourbon barrel, bottled at cask strength at 57.1%. With only 300 bottles produced and the final bottles now remaining, it has the feel of a focused, limited selection rather than a broad regular release.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum we would introduce to someone looking for a more individual expression of Foursquare. The profile points towards wood, spice and fruit, with a lighter (…)Foursquare 2010 14y (Cadenhead)
LAST PIECES126360° view available
Foursquare 2010 14y (Cadenhead)
On request only
Foursquare 2010 14y comes from Cadenhead's Dated Distillations range, a series built around clear provenance and transparent labelling. In this case the essentials are right there: Foursquare from Barbados, distilled in 2010, aged for 14 years and bottled at 55%.
The appeal lies in the way Cadenhead's treats rum with the same directness it brings to whisky. These releases are bottled without chill filtration and without added colouring, keeping the spirit's natural depth intact. The bourbon barrel maturation frames the rum without taking over, while the profile leans into spice, sweetness, fruit and a noticeable floral lift.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum we would point out to someone looking beyond anonymous blends and into bottles with a (…)Foursquare 2010 15y (Cadenhead's Single Cask)
137360° view available
Foursquare 2010 15y (Cadenhead's Single Cask)
In stock
Foursquare 2010 15y from Cadenhead's is a Barbados rum from the Single Cask range, drawn from one bourbon barrel. That gives the bottle a very defined identity: not a broad house style, but the voice of one individual cask.
Made from molasses and distilled using pot still and column still, it is described as an elegant Barbados rum with structure and fresh spicy notes. At 55% ABV it has real presence, yet the supplied profile points more toward clarity, fruit and spice than sheer weight.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum we place in the hands of customers who enjoy limited, clearly traceable bottlings. With the last bottles indicated, it also carries that sense of a finite Cadenhead release: distilled in 2010, matured for 15 years and bottled (…)
Frequently asked questions
Answers to most frequently asked questions about rum
What is rum?
Rum is a liquor made from sugar cane. It can be made via molasses (the syrupy by-product of sugar production) or via fresh sugarcane juice. After fermentation and distillation, you have the base, which is then often aged in wooden barrels. As simple as it sounds, the result is versatile: from light and fresh to deep and complex.
Europe has imposed rules and distinguishes between "rum" and "spirit drink". A drink can only be called rum if it:
-
is made from sugar cane products
-
is fermented and distilled
-
has a maximum alcohol content of 96% at distillation
-
contains at least 37.5% alcohol at bottling
-
contains no flavourings or large quantities of sugar
If producers do use extra flavourings, lots of sugar or other additives, it legally becomes "spirit drink" or "spirituose" instead of rum.
What is the difference between rum and spirit drink?
In Europe, this difference has come about mainly because of stricter and clearer rules around protected drink categories. "Rum" is not a non-committal marketing term in the EU, but a legally defined category. If a product does not exactly meet that definition, it can no longer officially be called rum and must be sold as a "spirit drink", for example.
The main rules are in the European geographical indications and spirit legislation, now under Regulation (EU) 2019/787.
The heart of the problem usually lies in one of these points:
- Added flavourings
Real rum may not simply be flavoured with, say, vanilla, chocolate or other distinct flavourings if it is still to be called "rum". Once the additives fall outside the permissible limits, it legally becomes a "spirit drink". - Added sugar or sweeteners
There are limits on how much sugar or sweetening can be added without losing the "rum" category. Some producers used to add relatively large amounts of sugar to make the drink softer or fuller. Stricter controls required those products to be relabelled. - Alcohol from other raw materials
Rum must come from sugar cane products such as molasses or sugar cane juice. If neutral alcohol of other origin is added (e.g. grain alcohol), the product falls outside the definition. - Production method or strength
Minimum alcohol percentages and production methods are also set by law.
Especially in recent years, enforcement has become stricter. As a result, you see that some brands that were sold as rum for years suddenly got "spirit drink", "spiced spirit drink" or "rum-based spirit drink" on the label.
A well-known example are certain "spiced rums". Many consumers still call them rum, but legally some of them cannot be called rum in Europe because they are too strongly flavoured or sweetened.
That does not necessarily mean the quality is worse - just that the product no longer fits within the strict EU definition of rum. Some enthusiasts actually find these stricter rules positive, as it makes it clearer what is pure rum and what is a flavoured variety.
Which rum is tasty?
The question "which rum is good?" seems simple, but the answer depends entirely on personal taste. Instead of immediately reaching for specific bottles, it makes more sense to first consider what you would like to drink. Do you like soft, sweet flavours like vanilla, caramel and honey, or do you rather prefer fresh and light notes like citrus and coconut? Maybe you just go for something more powerful with wood, spices and cocoa, or even a more pronounced, funky style with ripe fruit and an almost wild intensity. After all, rum is one of the most diverse spirits, and "tasty" means something different to everyone.
In addition, the moment also plays a role. A light, fresh rum comes into its own in cocktails and on hot days, while a richer, fuller rum is better suited to drinking on its own or as a digestif. There are also styles that sit somewhere in between: accessible enough for mixed drinks, but with enough character to appreciate solo as well.
By approaching the question in this way, you will not only discover what you yourself find a tasty rum, but you will also eventually begin to better understand why that rum suits you.
What types of rum are there?
The best-known subdivisions are white, gold and dark. White rum is bright, fresh and perfect for cocktails like mojito or daiquiri. Golden rum has a bit more body thanks to a short maturation. Dark rum matures longer and develops rich, spicy notes that you can safely drink pure. And then there is spiced rum, where spices like vanilla or cinnamon give it an extra sweet twist.
Broadly speaking, you can distinguish the following styles:
- White rum: clear and light in flavour
- Gold rum: golden, richer flavour than white rum with notes of caramel and vanilla
- Dark rum: dark, deep in colour, with rich and complex flavours such as molasses, chocolate and spices
- Spiced rum: flavoured with spices such as cinnamon, cloves and vanilla
- Overproof rum: high alcohol content, often above 50%
- Flavored rum: Added flavours such as coconut, pineapple or mango
What is English-style rum?
This rum is known for its full, rich and complex flavours. The English-style rum often has notes of molasses, caramel, fruit and spices.
This style rum is made from molasses and is often distilled in pot stills, resulting in a robust flavour profile. According to American Chemical Society, rums from pot stills contain more esters and higher alcohols, which contribute to the complex flavour.
Countries where the specific style of rum is traditionally produced include Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana and Trinidad. Well-known brands of English-style rums include Appleton Estate, Mount Gay and El Dorado.
What is Spanish-style rum?
Spanish-style rum ("Ron") is lighter and sweeter, with a smooth and refined taste. These rums often have notes of vanilla, caramel and tropical fruit.
It is made from molasses and often distilled in column stills, resulting in a lighter, purer rum. Column stills allow for more efficient distillation, giving the rum a more consistent character. Furthermore, these rums are often aged in a so-called Solera system.
Countries where the specific style of rum is traditionally produced: Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Venezuela, brands like Bacardi, Ron Zacapa and Havana Club probably sound familiar.
What is Rhum Agricole (French style)?
French-style rum has an earthy, grassy and sometimes floral flavour. It is often complex and can range from light and fresh to rich and spicy. It is a real "love it or hate it" type of rum: some swear by it and others revile it.
This rum is made from freshly squeezed sugarcane juice and usually distilled in pot stills. Production often follows strict standards, such as the AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) in Martinique, ensuring consistent and high-quality production.
Countries where this particular style of rum is traditionally produced: Martinique, Guadeloupe and Haiti. Well-known brands include Rhum Clément, Rhum JM and Barbancourt.
What do VS, VSOP and XO mean?
Unlike with cognac, these designations are not regulated within rum. These designations in rums therefore often say more about quality or style, but do not necessarily refer to an explicit (minimum) age of the spirit in the bottle.
How strong is rum?
Most rums are around 37.5% to 40% alcohol. But beware: there are also so-called overproof rums that easily exceed 60%. These will immediately spice up your cocktail - or provide a solid punch when drunk straight.
What is the difference between rum, cachaça and rhum agricole?
It's all in the base. Rum is usually made from molasses, while cachaça (from Brazil) and rhum agricole (from the French Caribbean) always come from fresh sugarcane juice. The result? Agricole and cachaça often have a somewhat grassy, spicy touch, while rum tends to be rounder and softer.
What rum do you use for cocktails?
For fresh mixed drinks such as a mojito or daiquiri, it is best to choose a light white rum. Tiki cocktails or a Dark 'n Stormy, on the other hand, get more depth from a dark or spicy rum. In short: your choice of rum makes all the difference in your glass.
Which rums can you drink pure?
Aged rums from Barbados, Jamaica or the Dominican Republic, for example, are often smooth, complex and ideal to enjoy pure. They can easily compete with a good whisky or cognac in terms of depth.
How does rum taste compared to whisky or brandy?
Rum tends to be sweeter and rounder thanks to the sugar cane. Whisky can be malty, spicy or smoky, while brandy is more likely to have fruity, wine-like notes. A matter of taste, but rum often has a more tropical character.
What is the maturation process for rum?
Rum usually matures in ex-bourbon barrels. Due to the warm climate in the Caribbean, this is faster than for whisky in Scotland. As a result, an 8-year-old rum can already taste surprisingly intense.
What is the difference between pot still rum and column still rum?
- Pot still-rum is rich, powerful and complex because it is distilled in smaller batches.
- Column still-rum is lighter and cleaner, ideal for blending.
Many brands combine both styles to get a balanced profile.
What does "solera" or "solera system rum" mean on a rum bottle?
Solera System rum refers to a maturation method where young and old rums flow together. In a Solera System, barrels of different ages are stacked on top of each other, with the oldest rum sitting at the bottom. Bottles are filled from these lower barrels, and then the barrel is replenished with rum from the row above, and so on. The result is a blend of quite a few different ages that results in a flavourful, complex final product that is still consistent in quality, style and recognisability. Because the oldest barrels at the bottom are always diluted with younger rums, the final product in a properly functioning Solera system, after decades of production, basically still contains traces of the very first, oldest rum the process ever started with.
The year number on the bottle then often refers to the oldest rum in the blend, not the average age.
Is rum always made from sugar cane?
Yes, that is a must. Whether it is molasses or sugarcane juice, rum must always come from sugarcane. Other sugars (beet, palm, etc.) are officially outside the definition.
The base for a rum can usually be reduced to one of the following groups:
- Molasses (molasses, syrup): Molasses is fermented and distilled, after which the rum can be aged in barrels. Molasses is a by-product of sugar production and contains many sugars that are converted into alcohol and complex flavourings during fermentation.
- Suger Cane Juice : This rum is known for its natural, unadulterated taste of sugar cane. In this rum, the juice is directly fermented and then distilled.
- Spiced rum: Base rum to which spices and sometimes additional flavours are added during or after the distillation process.
- Sugar Cane Syrup: Sugar cane syrup is fermented and distilled. The use of sugar cane syrup gives the rum a more concentrated and pure sugar cane flavour.
- Sugar Cane Honey: This substance, also known as "miel de caña" in Spanish, is a thick, syrupy liquid obtained by boiling the juice of sugar cane until it thickens, but before it crystallises into sugar. This method is less common and results in a rum with a unique, rich flavour.
- Arranged rum: Base rum is mixed with various flavourings and left to macerate for some time. This gives the rum a distinct and often sweet profile.
What is molasses?
Molasses is a syrupy by-product of sugar refining. It is created when sugar cane or sugar beet is processed to produce sugar.
What is the difference between white and dark rum?
The difference between white and dark rums is mainly in the production methods and ageing times, resulting in different flavours, colours and uses. White rum is clear and translucent, has a mild and light flavour with subtle notes, and is often aged for a shorter time than dark rum, usually in stainless steel tanks or neutral barrels to preserve its colour. This rum type is popular in cocktails such as mojitos and daiquiris, where a subtle rum flavour is desired without affecting the colour of the drink.
Dark rum, on the other hand, is dark brown to almost black in colour, with a rich and full-bodied flavour that contains complex notes of caramel, vanilla and sometimes spices. This rum is aged longer in oak barrels, which contributes to its dark colour and rich flavour. Sometimes caramel is also added for extra colour and flavour. Dark rum is often used in cocktails where a stronger rum flavour is desired, such as in a rum old fashioned, or drunk pure as a sipping rum.
What is the history of rum?
Rum was first produced in the Caribbean in the 17th century, with the first documented production in Barbados around 1650. Production quickly spread to North America, especially to the colonies in New England, where rum became an important trade product.
Rum played a crucial role in the transatlantic slave trade, also known as the Triangular Trade. Slaves from Africa were brought to the Caribbean to work on sugar cane plantations, while sugar and rum were shipped to Europe and North America. Locals and workers often had access to the rum produced locally, making it a popular drink among the lower social classes. This gave rum a negative connotation and it was seen as the drink for the poor. Today, this image has completely changed is rum is a versatile and popular drink.
Why is rum so strongly associated with pirates?
In the 17th and 18th centuries, rum was the means of payment and exchange in the Caribbean. Sailors often received a ration of rum as part of their wages. No wonder pirates and rum have been inextricably linked ever since.
Where can I buy rum?
Basic rums like a brown Havana Club can be found in any shop or supermarket these days, but there is so much more! With over 1,000 rums in our range, Drankenshop Broekmans is the right place for all your rum needs, no matter what colour, flavour, profile, brand, country or price range you are looking for.
