Rum from Planteray (Plantation)
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Planteray Barbados 5y (Planteray Blend)
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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
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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)
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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)
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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 Guatemala Belize (Planteray Blend) Incl. Box
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Planteray Guatemala Belize (Planteray Blend) Incl. Box
In stock
Planteray Guatemala Belize brings together rums from Guatemala and Belize in a fresh Central American blend. Made in a multicolumn style, it shows a fruit-led side of rum with the polished Planteray approach that sits very naturally in the Drankenshop Broekmans selection.
The maturation gives this rum much of its shape. It begins in ex-bourbon casks before travelling to south-west France for Planteray's characteristic double ageing in ex-Ferrand casks. That cognac finish adds a gentle layer of depth and wood influence, while keeping the fruity core clearly in view.
What stands out is the combination of plum, dried fruit and a subtle touch of oak, supported by honeyed, vanilla and caramel notes. It is not presented as a heavy style, but as a refined, lightly (…)Planteray Isle Of Fiji (Planteray Blend)
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Planteray Isle Of Fiji (Planteray Blend)
In stock
Planteray Isle of Fiji gives the Signature Blends range a less familiar rum origin, presented in the raffia-wrapped bottle that marks the series. Instead of leaning only on the classic rum countries, this bottling turns to Fiji, with its tropical setting, volcanic soils and notably pure water forming part of the rum's identity.
It is made from local sugar cane, hand-cut and processed into molasses in Lautoka. Pot still and column distillation are used, followed by local maturation in warm tropical conditions. The rum is then brought to France for a second maturation in ex-cognac casks from Maison Ferrand, a hallmark detail within the Planteray approach.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we like this release because it brings together tropical fruit, spice and a (…)Planteray Pxxo (Planteray Blend) Incl. Box
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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
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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 3 Stars 1l (Planteray Blend)
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Planteray 3 Stars 1l (Planteray Blend)
In stock
Planteray 3 Stars is a white molasses rum built as a blend from three Caribbean regions. The name points directly to that idea: several origins brought together in a rum that stays bright, tropical and refined rather than heavy or wood-driven.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a white rum with more aromatic character than a very neutral style. The use of pot still and column distillation gives it a fruit-led base with a gentle spicy accent, while the overall impression remains clear and polished.
At 41.2% ABV, Planteray 3 Stars has enough presence to carry its notes of tropical fruit, mango, coconut, vanilla and sugarcane. Its charm lies in that exotic, lively profile without unnecessary weight.
The aroma brings tropical fruit, vanilla (…)Planteray Black Cask 2026 (Planteray Blend)
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Planteray Black Cask 2026 (Planteray Blend)
In stock
Planteray Black Cask 2026 is built from molasses rums from Barbados and the Fiji Islands. Rather than highlighting a single origin, it brings these two sources together in a blend with ripe fruit, gentle spice and a rounded, approachable style.
The rum is distilled using both column and pot stills. Part of the spirit matures in oak casks before the different components are blended, followed by a Cognac Finish. It is then reduced to 40% alc./vol. and lightly filtered before bottling, keeping the character smooth without making it feel anonymous.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this Planteray stands out as a rum with an easy charm and enough detail to make it interesting in the glass. Expect a style where tropical fruit, vanilla, caramel and mild spice sit alongside (…)Planteray Cut & Dry (Planteray Blend)
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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 (…)Planteray Oftd (Old Fashioned Traditional Dark) (Planteray Blend)
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Planteray Oftd (Old Fashioned Traditional Dark) (Planteray Blend)
In stock
Planteray OFTD, short for Old Fashioned Traditional Dark, is Planteray's take on the classic overproof rum style. It brings together rum from Guyana, Jamaica and Barbados and is bottled at a powerful 69% ABV, giving it the strength and density needed to stand firm in cocktails as well as in the glass.
The story behind it is very much a tasting-room story. Alexandre Gabriel and his team worked with seven deeply committed rum enthusiasts during a long development process, creating more than 1000 trial samples before choosing the final base for what they saw as the right rum cocktail foundation. OFTD may officially mean Old Fashioned Traditional Dark, but the more colourful origin of the abbreviation is part of its reputation.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is (…)Planteray Pineapple Rum (Planteray Blend)
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Planteray Pineapple Rum (Planteray Blend)
In stock
Planteray Pineapple Rum is built around pineapple, but the rum base remains an important part of the story. It is made from molasses and brings together different components, including unaged Barbados rum, Trinidad rum aged for 2 to 3 years, and Jamaican rum with a touch of older Jamaican rum.
Its distinctive character comes from the pineapple peel infusion. The peels are infused with Plantation 3 Stars, after which the fruit infusion and distillate are blended together. That gives the rum a clearly tropical direction, with fresh pineapple woven into the spirit rather than simply sitting on top of it.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a rum with a very direct and recognisable personality: fruit-forward, rounded and easy to understand, yet still carried (…)Planteray Sealander (Planteray Blend)
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Planteray Sealander (Planteray Blend)
In stock
Planteray Sealander is built around the idea of bringing different island rum traditions into one carefully composed blend. It combines aged and unaged molasses rums from three islands, with both pot still and column still distillates contributing to its shape and texture.
Alexandre Gabriel adds a touch of cane sugar syrup before the blend is brought down to 40% ABV with osmosis water. It is then filtered and bottled with care, keeping the focus on the rum's aromatic clarity and gentle sweetness. The Cognac finish adds an extra layer of polish without taking the blend away from its island-led character.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, Planteray Sealander has the kind of approachable yet detailed profile that makes it easy to introduce in conversation: inviting from (…)Planteray Sealander + 2 Glazen (Planteray Blend)
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Planteray Sealander + 2 Glazen (Planteray Blend)
In stock
Planteray Sealander + 2 Glasses is built around the craft of blending. Rather than coming from one single origin, it brings together aged and unaged molasses rums from three islands. According to the product information, Alexandre Gabriel adds a small touch of cane sugar syrup before reducing the blend to 40% with osmosis water.
The use of both pot still and column still rum gives the blend its range, while the Cognac Finish adds a rounded edge. Its character leans toward fruit and spice, with a gentle sweetness that keeps the rum approachable without making it feel simple.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this giftpack as a very natural choice when someone wants a rum with an easy-going serving style and a proper blending story behind it. With the two (…)Planteray Xaymaca Special (Planteray Blend)
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Planteray Xaymaca Special (Planteray Blend)
In stock
Planteray Xaymaca Special is built around one of Jamaica's most recognisable rum personalities: bold, lively and marked by that unmistakable sense of rum funk. In Planteray's Signature Blends range, different rum origins are presented with a clear sense of place, in the familiar raffia-wrapped bottles.
For Xaymaca, the Jamaican character comes from rums linked to Clarendon and Long Pond, with a notably long fermentation of one to three weeks. The product information also refers to the use of dunder pits, where remnants from previous distillations are kept and added back into new distillates. That detail helps explain the powerful and immediately recognisable flavour associated with this style.
The rum first matures locally in warm tropical conditions before (…)Planteray Navy Rum
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Planteray Navy Rum
In stock
Planteray Navy Rum is built around the idea of a strong, old-style navy proof rum, bottled at 55.7%. Rather than focusing on a single island, it brings together rums from Barbados, Trinidad, Guyana and Jamaica, distilled in both column and pot stills. That blend of origins and distillation styles is central to its personality.
The rum first matures in a tropical climate in ex-bourbon casks, then continues its refinement in Charente in used oak casks and large open vats. That finishing stage connects naturally with its Cognac Finish identity, adding depth while keeping the rum's powerful core intact.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a rum with real presence: fruity, spiced and full-bodied, yet still composed enough to feel deliberate rather than simply (…)Canerock Spiced Rum Mini
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Canerock Spiced Rum Mini
In stock
Canerock Spiced Rum Mini brings a Jamaican molasses rum into a smaller bottle, with the focus on spice, fruit and a gentle sweetness. It is not presented as a wood-driven rum; the appeal lies more in its approachable spiced style and in the chance to discover Canerock in a compact format.
The rum is linked to Planteray, also known as Plantation, and is made with traditional column distillation. Sherry and bourbon casks are part of the product's make-up, yet the profile remains centred on its spiced and fruity side rather than on pronounced oak.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this mini bottle is a useful choice for customers who want to explore a Jamaican spiced rum without choosing a full-size bottle straight away. With only the last bottles remaining, it also has (…)Plantation 3 Stars White Pouche 2,8l (Planteray Blend)
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Plantation 3 Stars White Pouche 2,8l (Planteray Blend)
In stock
Plantation 3 Stars White Pouche 2.8l is a white rum blend from Planteray, bringing together rums from three Caribbean regions. Rather than presenting white rum as something purely neutral, this bottling draws its interest from blending different origins and distillation styles, including pot still and column still rum.
The 2.8-litre pouch format adds a practical side, but the rum itself still has a clear sense of character. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see it as a white rum with more personality than the category sometimes suggests: tropical, fruit-driven and lightly spiced.
At 41.2% alcohol, it has enough strength to carry its flavours while remaining bright in style. A Caribbean white rum with an aromatic, exotic profile and a format that makes it (…)Plantation Barbados XO Mini
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Plantation Barbados XO Mini
In stock
Plantation Barbados XO Mini brings the Barbados side of Planteray (Plantation) into a compact, easy-to-share format. It is a molasses-based rum bottled at 40%, with a distillation profile that includes both pot still and column still production. The XO name gives it a polished feel, while the bottle carries no age statement.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of miniature that works well for tasting, comparing styles or adding a thoughtful touch to a drinks gift. It gives a clear introduction to Barbados rum without committing to a full-size bottle.
With the last bottles now available, this mini release has a little extra relevance for anyone who enjoys smaller formats and wants to explore the character of a Barbados molasses rum in a simple, (…)Plantation Fiji 2005 15y (Planteray Vintage)
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Plantation Fiji 2005 15y (Planteray Vintage)
On request only
Plantation Fiji 2005 15y is a molasses-based rum from Fiji, released as part of the Planteray Vintage range. It brings together pot still and column distillation, giving the rum a foundation that is not only about structure, but also about depth and presence.
Distilled in 2005 and aged for 15 years, it was given a Cognac finish as the final part of its maturation. That makes this a rum where vintage, origin and cask influence all matter, without turning the bottle into a technical exercise.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this Fiji bottling sits comfortably among the more distinctive limited rums in the selection. Bottled at 50.2%, it has the strength to carry its character clearly, and with only the last bottles remaining, it is a release with a naturally finite (…)Plantation Fiji 2011 For Massen (Planteray)
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Plantation Fiji 2011 For Massen (Planteray)
Very last one in stock!
Plantation Fiji 2011 For Massen is a rum built around a few very specific points of identity: Fiji as its origin, 2011 as the year stated on the bottle, and a strength of 51.7%, placing it firmly outside the realm of casual, lightweight rum.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottles like this sit in the part of the rum selection where provenance and individual release details matter. The name carries the Plantation reference, also known today through Planteray, and the For Massen designation gives this bottling its own particular place on the shelf.
With only the last bottles remaining, this Fiji 2011 feels like a rum to approach deliberately: not as a broad standard expression, but as a clearly defined bottling shaped by its origin, year statement and robust (…)Plantation Fiji 2017 Tasttoe & Drankenshop Broekmans (Planteray - Plantation Single Cask) Incl. Box
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Plantation Fiji 2017 Tasttoe & Drankenshop Broekmans (Planteray - Plantation Single Cask) Incl. Box
In stock
Plantation Fiji 2017 Tasttoe & Drankenshop Broekmans is a small single cask release rather than a regular house style bottling. Only 150 bottles were drawn, giving this Fiji rum a very specific identity. It was distilled in 2017 from molasses, after a week-long fermentation, using a copper pot still.
The maturation adds much of the story here. The rum spent four years ageing tropically in bourbon casks, followed by six months of continental maturation in Ferrand casks and a further one and a half years in an Ironroot Republic Promethean bourbon cask. That sequence gives the bottling a layered background without taking away from its Fiji origin.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, releases like this are selected because they show rum in a more individual way: one (…)Plantation Guyana 2007 (Teeling Whiskey Finish) Drankenshop Broekmans (Planteray - Plantation Single Cask)
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Plantation Guyana 2007 (Teeling Whiskey Finish) Drankenshop Broekmans (Planteray - Plantation Single Cask)
On request only
Plantation Guyana 2007 with a Teeling Whiskey Finish is built around a very specific combination: rum from Guyana, distilled in 2007, and finished in an ex-whisky cask linked in the name to Teeling Whiskey. That cask choice gives this release its point of difference and places it outside the more regular Plantation bottlings.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a small-scale, cask-driven release rather than a broad house style. It comes from the Plantation Single Cask series, with only 126 bottles produced, and the product is now marked as last bottles. That makes the scale of the bottling part of its appeal: one cask, one limited outturn, one particular interpretation of Guyana rum.
Bottled at 53.7%, it has the strength and presence one would associate (…)
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.
