Rum from Hampden or Hampden Estate
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Hampden 1753 Incl. Box
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Hampden 1753 Incl. Box
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Hampden 1753 is a clear introduction to the distinctive world of Jamaican rum from Hampden Estate. Made from molasses, it is a pure Jamaican single rum shaped by long fermentation with wild yeasts and distillation in copper pot stills. That process gives the rum its classic ester profile and its unmistakably expressive personality.
It spends 3 years maturing tropically in ex-bourbon barrels and is bottled at 46%. That strength gives the rum enough structure to carry its aromatic style, while keeping it approachable as a first step into Hampden's flavour universe.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we like to introduce when someone wants to understand what makes Hampden Estate so recognisable: vivid tropical fruit, spice, a floral lift and a (…)Hampden 8 Years Incl. Box
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Hampden 8 Years Incl. Box
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Hampden 8 Years is a Jamaican rum from Hampden Estate, made from molasses and distilled in pot stills. It has a clearly defined personality: fruit and spice are the main threads, with a style that feels more expressive than softly sweet.
Eight years of ageing in bourbon barrels adds a measured wood influence, supporting the rum rather than taking it over. At 46% alcohol, it has enough strength to carry its character with confidence.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, Hampden 8 Years is the kind of rum we like to introduce to customers looking for a Jamaican bottle with real presence. The combination of pot still distillation, Jamaican origin and stated age gives it a direct, characterful appeal.
The flavour profile is led by fruit and spice, with the (…)Hampden Fire Overproof
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Hampden Fire Overproof
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In stockHampden Fire Overproof is a Jamaican rum with a very clear sense of direction. At 63% ABV and bottled in an overproof style, it is built around power, presence and the direct character of pot still distillation.
Made from molasses and carrying no age statement, it keeps the focus firmly on the distillate rather than on a maturation story. The profile points towards a vivid mix of fruit and spice, with lighter floral and vegetal touches in the background, while wood and sweetness do not define the style.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum we place in front of customers who are specifically looking for Jamaican intensity at higher strength. Hampden Fire Overproof feels energetic and assertive, with enough aromatic lift to make it more than just a (…)Hampden Fresh White
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Hampden Fresh White
In stock
Hampden Fresh White is a very direct take on Jamaican white rum, shaped by the heritage of Hampden Estate in Trelawny. The name has a real meaning here: at Hampden, Fresh historically referred to the raw distillate coming straight from the still.
Rather than presenting white rum as something neutral, this bottling keeps the Hampden personality clearly in view. It is a blend of different Hampden marks, produced through natural fermentations with wild yeasts and distilled at Hampden Estate, then bottled at 42%.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see it as a white rum with enough character to reinterpret classic cocktails, while still leaving room for more creative mixing. It brings a recognisably Jamaican voice to the glass without losing its practical cocktail (…)Hampden 15y Incl. Box
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Hampden 15y Incl. Box
In stock
Hampden 15y is a Jamaican rum with a very clear sense of place: Trelawny, Jamaica, and the historic Hampden Estate distillery. Rum has been made there since the 18th century using traditional methods, and this release keeps the focus firmly on structure, intensity and distillery character.
The rum is the result of long fermentation and pot still distillation, both closely tied to the unmistakable Hampden style. It belongs to the LROK mark, with an ester level between 200 and 400 g/hlap, and it matured entirely in Jamaica's tropical climate in bourbon casks. Fifteen years of tropical ageing gives this bottling real presence without taking away from its expressive origins.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, Hampden 15y stands out for rum drinkers who appreciate a more (…)Hampden 1993 29y C<>h
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Hampden 1993 29y C<>h
Temporarily sold out
Hampden 1993 29y C<>h is a Jamaican rum with a very clear sense of provenance. Distilled in April 1993 and bottled in March 2022, it carries a 29-year age statement, placing it firmly among mature and highly limited rum releases.
Its appeal lies in the precision of the bottling. This is a single cask rum, bottled at cask strength at 58.9%, with only 65 bottles produced. Rather than presenting a broad house style, it captures one individual cask from one specific vintage.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would present to someone who pays attention to rare rum details rather than general labels. Hampden, Jamaica, 1993, 29 years old, single cask and just 65 bottles: the story is compact, but it says a great deal.
No (…)Hampden 2017 Hlcf Incl. Box
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Hampden 2017 Hlcf Incl. Box
In stock
Hampden 2017 HLCF is a Jamaican molasses rum from Hampden Estate, distilled in 2017 in pot still style. Bottled at 60% alcohol, it has the direct, forceful presence one would expect from a rum built around intensity rather than softness.
The appeal here lies in the meeting of Jamaican origin, pot still distillation and maturation in a bourbon barrel. The cask gives a light woody frame, but the rum's profile is driven more by fruit, spice and a clearly vegetal side.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this Hampden as a rum for drinkers who enjoy a more outspoken style. It is not presented as a gentle, sweet rum, but as a powerful and characterful bottling with a distinct Jamaican identity.
The flavour profile is forceful and direct, with fruit, (…)Hampden 2018 Lrok Younger 3l
Hampden 2018 Lrok Younger 3l
In stock
Hampden 2018 LROK Younger 3l is a Jamaican rum with a very clear identity: youthful in feel, yet driven by the aromatic force associated with Hampden Estate. The distillery is located in the historic Trelawny Parish region, described in the supplied information as the grand cru of Jamaican rum, and its history reaches back to 1753.
The heart of this release is the exclusive use of the LROK marque, known for its high ester concentration and classified as a heavy rum. Even so, The Younger is built around contrast: tropical ageing brings aromatic intensity, while the freshness of a young rum remains intact. Pot still distillation and bourbon barrel maturation support a profile where fruit, spice and wood all have a clear role.
The 3-litre format gives the bottle (…)Hampden 2021 Sherry Single Cask For The Nectar
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Hampden 2021 Sherry Single Cask For The Nectar
In stock
This Hampden Estate bottling shows Jamaican rum in a very direct form: a molasses-based pot still rum, distilled in 2021 and bottled in 2025 as a single cask LROK. Its maturation took place entirely in Jamaica at Hampden Estate, keeping the focus firmly on origin, distillation and the individual cask.
The ex-sherry cask from Bodegas Fundador adds another layer to Hampden's naturally intense Jamaican style. Just as important is the straightforward presentation: bottled at cask strength at 63%, with no added sugar and no colouring. It is a clear, unsoftened expression of one particular cask.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this sits among the rums we like to explain rather than simply place on a shelf. Selected exclusively by The Nectar and limited to 259 bottles, (…)Hampden 8 Marks 1 Year 8*20cl (La Maison & Velier)
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Hampden 8 Marks 1 Year 8*20cl (La Maison & Velier)
Only 2 left in stock!
Hampden Estate 8 Marks 1 Year is built as a tasting collection rather than a single standard rum. The set contains eight 20 cl bottles, each showing the effect of one year of bourbon barrel maturation on a different mark from the distillery. That makes the collection especially engaging as a side-by-side exploration: one Jamaican origin, one maturation period, eight distinct expressions.
Made from molasses and distilled in a pot still, this Jamaican rum is bottled at 52% and at cask strength. The tropical climate of Jamaica gives the one-year maturation real presence, while the bourbon barrels add their own influence to a profile shaped by fruity, spiced and vegetal tones.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a set for curious drinkers who enjoy comparing (…)Hampden 8 Marks 8*20cl
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Hampden 8 Marks 8*20cl
In stock
Hampden 8 Marks 8*20cl is best seen as a discovery set rather than a single-bottle rum. It brings together eight different marks from Hampden Estate in Jamaica, each in a 20 cl format, giving the drinker a way to explore several sides of the same estate in one giftpack.
The foundation is firmly set: molasses rum, pot still distillation and bottling at 60%. That strength underlines its cask strength presentation and gives the set a direct, uncompromising feel. There is no age statement driving the story here; the focus is on comparison, intensity and the differences between the marks.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this Hampden set sits comfortably among rums chosen for people who like to taste with attention, share a structured tasting, or give a rum gift with (…)Hampden Great House 2023
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Hampden Great House 2023
On request only
Hampden Great House 2023 is a Jamaican rum with a strong sense of place behind it. This fifth edition in the exclusive Great House series pays tribute to Hampden Estate's historic Great House, built in 1779 by the Stirling family and still standing in its original form. Until the 20th century, the first floor was used to store rum casks before they were sent on to the harbour.
Today, the Great House serves as the distillery's reception and representation house. The rum carrying its name follows that same connection between heritage and present-day interpretation. It is made from a blend of different marks, with a recipe that changes from year to year, so the 2023 edition offers its own view of the Hampden style rather than a fixed repeat of a previous release.
Hampden Great House 2024
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Hampden Great House 2024
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Hampden Great House 2024 is the sixth release in a series that has been renewed every year since 2019. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see it as one of those Jamaican rums that immediately explains why Hampden Estate has such a distinctive voice: pot still intensity, a firm 57% ABV, and a flavour profile that does not try to hide its energy.
The name comes from Hampden's Great House, a monumental building from 1779. Today it is where guests are received, but it originally served as a warehouse for casks waiting to be transported to the harbour, a role it kept until the early 20th century. That connection between place, casks and history gives this annual edition a clear sense of identity.
For the 2024 release, Hampden brought together several types of rum, made (…)Hampden Great House 2025
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Hampden Great House 2025
On request only
Hampden Great House 2025 is a Jamaican molasses rum with the kind of presence that immediately points back to Hampden Estate. Distilled in pot stills and bottled at 57%, it sits firmly in the powerful, aromatic style for which the estate has been celebrated since 1753.
The 2025 release is the seventh opus in the Great House Distillery Edition series, first launched in 2019. Each year, a new assemblage is created from different marks and vintages matured on the estate in a tropical climate. That annual approach gives this edition its own place in the sequence, while staying close to the depth and intensity associated with Hampden.
Its name refers to the historic Great House, built in 1779, which today welcomes guests and visitors to the estate. That connection (…)Hampden Hd 2019 5y (The Whisky Jury - For Tasttoe)
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Hampden Hd 2019 5y (The Whisky Jury - For Tasttoe)
In stock
Hampden HD 2019 5y is a Jamaican rum with a very focused identity. Distilled in 2019 and bottled at 5 years old, it presents Hampden through a young, high-strength release rather than through a broadly available standard expression.
Its appeal lies largely in the bottling itself. The Whisky Jury selected and bottled this rum for TasTToe, with a total outturn of just 218 bottles. At Drankenshop Broekmans, releases like this are the kind we like to highlight for customers who enjoy independent bottlings with a clear sense of place and batch.
At 58.8% alcohol, this is a rum to approach with a little patience. It is also increasingly scarce, with only the last bottles of this small release still available.
No detailed tasting notes are provided for (…)Hampden Hes 5th Lm&v 1,5l
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Hampden Hes 5th Lm&v 1,5l
On request only
Hampden Estate HES 5th LM&V comes here in a generous 1.5 litre bottle, and that already gives it a different presence on the shelf. It is a Jamaican rum bottled at 60.5%, so the emphasis is clearly on strength and serious tasting rather than casual lightness.
In the rum selection at Drankenshop Broekmans, it stands out through a concise but compelling set of details: Hampden Estate, Jamaica, a high alcoholic strength and a large-format bottle. With only the last bottles remaining, it also has a certain scarcity within the range.
For anyone specifically looking for a Jamaican rum with a bold presentation, this is a bottle that does not need much explanation. Its character is communicated through the essentials.
No detailed tasting notes are (…)Hampden Hlcf + 2 Glasses
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Hampden Hlcf + 2 Glasses
Only 2 left in stock!
Hampden HLCF + 2 Glasses combines a Jamaican rum from Hampden Estate with a gift presentation built around tasting. Made from molasses, distilled in a pot still and bottled at 60%, it speaks in a powerful register from the outset, with strength and character at the centre of the experience.
The HLCF indication gives this release a clear identity within the Hampden range. With Bourbon Barrel maturation and no age statement, the focus is less on a number and more on style, intensity and the personality of the distillate. The two included glasses make the pack feel especially suited to sharing, gifting or opening with proper attention.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a rum for customers who are drawn to bold Jamaican pot still character rather than a (…)Hampden Lrok 2010
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Hampden Lrok 2010
On request only
Hampden Lrok 2010 is a Jamaican molasses rum with a clear sense of origin and style. Distilled in 2010, aged for 11 years and made using pot still distillation, it presents itself as a rum with a defined identity rather than a broadly polished, anonymous bottling.
Its bourbon barrel maturation gives the rum a firm woody backbone, while fruit and spice remain clearly present. Sweetness is not the central theme here; the profile feels more driven by structure, cask influence and drier flavour elements, with a lighter floral and vegetal edge in the background.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottlings like this are appreciated because they show rum as a serious spirit with provenance, age and maturation all playing a visible role. With only the last bottles remaining, (…)Hampden Lrok The Younger 3l
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Hampden Lrok The Younger 3l
In stock
Hampden Lrok The Younger 3l is a Jamaican molasses rum from Hampden Estate, distilled in a pot still. It is the kind of rum where the essentials matter: origin, distillation style and a clear sense of identity, rather than an overloaded presentation.
Maturation in a bourbon barrel gives the rum a woody frame, with spice and fruit also clearly present in the profile. At 47% ABV it has enough strength to carry that style with confidence, while still keeping the focus on the rum itself.
The 3 litre format gives this Hampden real presence. At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottles like this are especially interesting when someone is looking for a Jamaican rum that stands out on the table as much as in the glass. With the last bottles now available, it also feels like a (…)Hampden Pagos 2023 Tube Incl.
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Hampden Pagos 2023 Tube Incl.
Temporarily sold out
Hampden Pagos 2023 has a very specific role in the story of Hampden Estate: it is the first release in the distillery's history to be matured entirely in sherry casks. The name Pagos refers to the Spanish term used for vineyard parcels in the Jerez region, so the link with southern Spain is built into the identity of the rum from the start.
For this bottling, Hampden Estate worked with Bodegas Fundador in Jerez. The rum was matured in prestigious 500-litre Oloroso casks that had been used in the solera process and had previously held Oloroso for up to thirty years. Those casks were then prepared for the intensity of Hampden's rum and transferred to the distillery.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of release we like to explain properly, because Pagos (…)Hampden Pagos 2024 Incl. Box
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Hampden Pagos 2024 Incl. Box
Only 2 left in stock!
Hampden Pagos 2024 is a Jamaican rum built around a very specific meeting point: Hampden Estate's expressive pot still spirit and sherry casks from Jerez. The name takes its inspiration from the Spanish word pagos, used for vineyard parcels in Jerez, and that reference is carried straight into the maturation. The rum was fully aged in Jamaica in 500-litre sherry butts from Bodegas Fundador.
Those casks had been used in the Solera system and previously held Oloroso, part of it up to 30 years old. Set against Hampden's HLCF mark and an ester level of 374.1 g/HLPA, the cask influence does not simply add richness; it meets a distillate with plenty of aromatic drive of its own. Bottled at 52%, it keeps that Jamaican intensity firmly in view.
At Drankenshop (…)Hampden The Younger 3l
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Hampden The Younger 3l
Only 2 left in stock!
Hampden The Younger 3l is a Jamaican rum from Hampden Estate, made from molasses and distilled in a pot still. The 3-litre format already sets it apart, especially for a rum with such a clearly defined Jamaican identity.
Distilled in 2016, it matured in a bourbon barrel. Its character is not built around overt sweetness; the emphasis is on fruit, spice and wood, with lighter floral and vegetal touches adding detail around the edges.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum that stands out through origin, distillation style and presentation. With only the last bottles remaining, it is a release that feels increasingly scarce.
The flavour impression centres on clear fruit, spice and wood influence. It comes across as more structured and (…)Jamaica Hampden C<>h Labelled As Hd 2018 6y (Nobilis Rum) Incl. Box
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Jamaica Hampden C<>h Labelled As Hd 2018 6y (Nobilis Rum) Incl. Box
In stock
This Jamaican Hampden rum is very much about closeness to the cask. The C<>H Labelled As HD name, the 67.6% strength and the cask strength bottling all point to a rum presented in a direct, concentrated form rather than softened into a broader house style.
Distilled in 2018 and bottled in 2025 at 6 years old, it captures the development of one individual cask. That single cask origin matters here: this is not a vatting designed to smooth out variation, but a small release shaped by one specific parcel of rum. With only 187 bottles filled and the last bottles now available, it has a natural place at Drankenshop Broekmans among limited rum bottlings for drinkers who enjoy precise, small-scale selections.
What makes it compelling is the clarity of the (…)
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:
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is made from sugar cane products
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is fermented and distilled
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has a maximum alcohol content of 96% at distillation
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contains at least 37.5% alcohol at bottling
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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.
