Rum from Velier
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Clairin Le Rocher 2022
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Clairin Le Rocher 2022
Only 2 left in stock!
Clairin Le Rocher 2022 is a Haitian rum with a very distinctive voice. It is made from sugar cane syrup that is brought to the boil, a method used here to preserve the characteristic aromas of the three cane varieties involved.
Its single pot still production and bottling in the Clairin style give it a fresh, vegetal and spicy profile, marked by smoky and roasted notes. Rather than leaning on oak influence, Le Rocher puts the distillate itself at the centre, with the raw aromatic side of the cane clearly in view.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a rum for drinkers who enjoy expressive, unconventional spirits. At 50% alcohol, it has enough strength to carry its spice and smoke, while still keeping that lively freshness.
The aroma opens (…)Clairin Vaval 2023 Incl. Box
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Clairin Vaval 2023 Incl. Box
Last one in stock!
Clairin Vaval 2023 shows a very direct side of Haitian rum. It comes from Cavaillon on the south coast of Haiti, where Fritz Vaval works with local sugar cane varieties grown on coastal soils exposed to the trade winds.
Its appeal lies in that rural, traditional approach. Spontaneous fermentation keeps the spirit close to its origins, with a character that feels lively and unpolished rather than smoothed into a conventional rum style. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we value this kind of bottling because it shows how expressive sugar cane juice rum can be when its local identity is allowed to speak clearly.
Bottled at 53.5%, Clairin Vaval 2023 has real presence. The profile leans into fruit, spice and vegetal freshness, with only a light floral and sweet touch in (…)Clairin Sonson 2023 Incl. Box
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Clairin Sonson 2023 Incl. Box
Only 2 left in stock!
Clairin Sonson 2023 takes us to Cabaret, north-west of Port-au-Prince, where Stephan Sonson produces this Haitian clairin from fresh sugar cane juice. In the rum selection at Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle that speaks clearly of origin: direct, rural and shaped by the raw material rather than by polish.
This release is made exclusively from Madame Meuze sugar cane, a rare Haitian variety grown traditionally without chemicals. Distillation takes place in a traditional pot still, keeping the spirit close to the cane and to the terroir-driven identity of clairin.
At 49.4% ABV and bottled at cask strength, Clairin Sonson 2023 has presence, yet its description points more toward precision than weight. The style centres on floral, spiced and (…)Clairin Communal
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Clairin Communal
In stock
Clairin Communal from Velier presents Haitian sugar cane juice rum in a direct and expressive way. Its interest does not come from an age statement or a strong wood influence, but from the distillate itself: pot still produced, with fruit and spice clearly shaping the profile.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we see as a good introduction to a different side of rum, away from more familiar molasses-led styles. Clairin Communal keeps the focus on Haiti, sugar cane juice and a straightforward distillation character.
Bottled at 43%, it has enough strength to show its personality without feeling heavy. Light floral and vegetal touches add detail around the fruitier and spicier core, giving the rum a clearly recognisable identity.
Amrut White (Habitation Velier)
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Amrut White (Habitation Velier)
On request only
Amrut White is an Indian white rum with a story that immediately stands out. It marks the first time Habitation Velier has bottled a white rum from the Amrut distillery, giving this limited edition a very specific place within the world of sugar cane juice rum.
Its identity starts close to the distillery itself. The pure sugar cane juice comes from a field next to Amrut, giving the rum a genuine field-to-bottle character. The connection with Amrut's better-known whisky production is also part of the appeal: the yeasts used for fermentation and the pot stills used for distillation are the same as those used for the distillery's renowned whiskies.
Bottled at cask strength at 62.8%, this is a white rum with real intensity and a very direct expression of its raw (…)Beenleigh 2015 8y Mag 1,5l (Velier)
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Beenleigh 2015 8y Mag 1,5l (Velier)
Very last one in stock!
Beenleigh 2015 8y Mag 1.5l is an Australian molasses rum with a strong sense of place. It comes from Beenleigh, a distillery founded in 1884 in Queensland, and is made from molasses sourced from Australia's last privately owned mill. That background gives the bottle a story before the glass is even poured.
The rum is distilled using both columns and pot stills, then aged for 8 years in bourbon barrels. At 60% and bottled at cask strength, it keeps a firm, direct character rather than smoothing away its natural intensity. The 1.5 litre magnum format adds to its distinctive presence, especially as these are the last bottles.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this Velier bottling sits in the selection for drinkers who appreciate rum with origin, power and detail: (…)Bologne 7y 2014 Vel (La Maison & Velier - Flora Antillarum)
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Bologne 7y 2014 Vel (La Maison & Velier - Flora Antillarum)
In stock
Bologne 7y 2014 Vel is a Guadeloupe rum made from sugar cane juice and bottled by La Maison & Velier as part of the Flora Antillarum series. It sits in a more origin-driven style of rum, where the cane base, distillation and maturation carry the story rather than overt sweetness.
Distilled in 2014 in a traditional column, it matured for 7 years in Cognac casks. Bottling it at cask strength, 54.9%, keeps the presentation direct and concentrated, with the kind of presence one expects from a Velier selection.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the sort of rum we place in front of customers looking beyond the usual categories and into more distinctive sugar cane juice releases. Guadeloupe origin, Cognac maturation and the Flora Antillarum bottling context give (…)Caroni Paradise 1994 #3 (Velier) Incl. Box
COLLECTOR5.000
Caroni Paradise 1994 #3 (Velier) Incl. Box
Very last one in stock!
Caroni Paradise 1994 #3 is a Trinidad rum built around precision and scarcity: one cask, one vintage, one very small release. Distilled in 1994 and bottled in 2023, it spent 29 years maturing in a bourbon barrel before being bottled at 52.8%.
Only 215 bottles were drawn from this single cask, giving the rum a very specific identity. Rather than presenting a broad house style, it captures the character of one individual barrel after long maturation. Its collector's item status follows naturally from that limited scale and clearly defined origin.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this Velier bottling sits among the rums we would point out to customers interested in mature, rare molasses rum with a strong cask-driven personality. Wood and spice form the main structure, (…)Caroni Paradise 1994 #7 (Velier) Incl. Box
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Caroni Paradise 1994 #7 (Velier) Incl. Box
Only 3 left in stock!
Caroni Paradise 1994 #7 is a rum whose appeal lies in origin, patience and scale. This is a molasses rum from Trinidad, distilled in 1994 in a traditional column style and bottled in 2024. That long stretch of time gives the bottle a sense of depth before one even comes to the details of the cask.
Velier bottled this release from a single bourbon barrel at cask strength, 58% alcohol. With only 142 bottles produced, it is a very narrow release rather than a general bottling. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this kind of rum as the sort of bottle that speaks to people who enjoy the individuality of one specific cask.
The key elements are tightly focused: Caroni, Trinidad, 1994, single cask and natural strength. Its profile points towards a firm style, with (…)Caroni Paradise 1994 #8 (Velier) Incl. Box
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Caroni Paradise 1994 #8 (Velier) Incl. Box
Only 3 left in stock!
Caroni Paradise 1994 #8 is built around the character of one individual cask. Bottled by Velier, this Trinidad molasses rum was distilled in 1994 and bottled in 2024 from a single bourbon barrel. Only 195 bottles were filled, and with the last bottles now available, the sense of scarcity is part of its story.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, a release like this stands apart from broader rum bottlings. It is traditional column distilled, bottled at cask strength and presented at 58% alcohol, so the emphasis is clearly on intensity and direct cask character rather than softness or easy sweetness.
The profile points towards wood, spice and vegetal depth as the main pillars, with fruit, sweetness and floral notes playing a quieter supporting role. That makes this Caroni (…)Caroni Paradise 1996 #1 (Velier) Incl. Box
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Caroni Paradise 1996 #1 (Velier) Incl. Box
Very last one in stock!
Caroni Paradise 1996 #1 by Velier is a Trinidad molasses rum with a very focused identity. Distilled in 1996 in a traditional column style and bottled in 2023, it carries the weight of a long maturation without being softened down before release.
The rum comes from a single bourbon barrel and was bottled at cask strength, 62.7%. Only 213 bottles were filled, and with the last bottles now in circulation, its collectible nature is part of the story rather than an afterthought.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum we place in front of someone looking for intensity, scarcity and a clear cask-driven personality. The Velier name, the Trinidad origin and the single cask format all point in the same direction: a powerful, limited rum for serious (…)Caroni Paradise 1996 #4 (Velier) Incl. Box
COLLECTOR5.000
Caroni Paradise 1996 #4 (Velier) Incl. Box
Very last one in stock!
Caroni Paradise 1996 #4 is a Trinidad rum where the main story is time, strength and scarcity. Bottled by Velier, it was distilled from molasses in 1996 and bottled in 2023 after 27 years of ageing. Rather than coming from a broad batch, it was drawn from a single bourbon barrel, giving this release a very specific cask identity.
Only 215 bottles were produced, and it was bottled at cask strength at 68.1% ABV. That makes it a rum with real presence, aimed at drinkers who appreciate the individuality of a single cask and the directness of a high-strength bottling. At Drankenshop Broekmans, releases like this stand out because they bring together provenance, age and limited availability in a very tangible way.
The supplied flavour profile points towards a (…)Caroni Paradise 1998 #2 (Velier) Incl. Box
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Caroni Paradise 1998 #2 (Velier) Incl. Box
Very last one in stock!
Caroni Paradise 1998 #2 is a Trinidad molasses rum bottled by Velier, distilled in 1998 and bottled in 2023. It comes from a single bourbon barrel and was released at cask strength, 56.3%, with only 230 bottles drawn from that one cask.
The interest here lies in the concentration of the release. This is not a broad, blended expression, but a very specific barrel selection with a clear sense of scarcity. As a collector's item and with the last bottles indicated, it occupies a special place among the more limited rums in the Drankenshop Broekmans selection.
Its profile is built around wood, spice and fruit, supported by lighter floral and vegetal notes. The data does not point toward a sweet style, so the emphasis is more on structure, cask influence and the (…)Caroni Paradise 2000 #5 (Velier) Incl. Box
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Caroni Paradise 2000 #5 (Velier) Incl. Box
In stock
Caroni Paradise 2000 #5 is a Trinidad rum built around a very clear idea: one individual cask, long maturation and an uncompromising bottling strength. Distilled in 2000 and bottled in 2023, this 23-year-old Velier release comes from a Bourbon Barrel and was bottled at 67.5%.
The appeal lies in its specificity. As a single cask rum, it is not shaped by blending different barrels into a broader house style; it captures the identity of one cask at one point in time. With only 243 bottles produced, that identity is necessarily limited.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottles like this are treated as more than just another aged rum. The cask strength presentation, the small outturn, the collector's item indication and the fact that these are the last bottles all point (…)Chamarel 2017 Habvel Incl. Box
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Chamarel 2017 Habvel Incl. Box
In stock
Chamarel 2017 Habvel is a Mauritian rum made from sugar cane juice and bottled under the Velier name. It sits firmly in the more expressive side of rum, where the natural, green and aromatic qualities of cane take the lead rather than overt sweetness.
Distilled in 2017 on a pot still and bottled in 2026 at 9 years old, this is a single cask release with a Cognac finish. At 63%, it has the directness and concentration one would expect from a cask-strength bottling drawn from one individual cask.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum we place in front of customers who enjoy distinctive cask selections and want something with a clear identity. With the last bottles now available, it also carries the appeal of a limited release that captures one (…)Clairin Casimir 2020
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Clairin Casimir 2020
On request only
Clairin Casimir 2020 is a Haitian rum bottled by Velier, and its identity is clear from the outset. At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle that stands out because it points to a very specific origin rather than presenting itself as a generic rum.
Bottled at 54.3% alcohol, it has a firm presence and is best approached as a rum with real strength in the glass. The appeal here lies in that directness and in the clear connection to Haiti carried by the Clairin Casimir name.
It has also proved popular, and only the last bottles remain. That gives this 2020 release a sense of limited availability without needing any exaggerated claims around it.
No specific tasting notes are provided for Clairin Casimir 2020. What can be said with (…)Clairin Casimir 2021
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Clairin Casimir 2021
On request only
Clairin Casimir 2021 is a Haitian sugar cane juice rum from Barradÿres, released under the Velier name. Its identity is rooted in small-scale craft: Faubert Casimir grows white and red Hawaii cane on 50 hectares, continuing the legacy of his father Duncan.
The interest here lies in the way the fully ripe cane is handled. It is combined with fermenting pure cane sugar, while lemongrass leaves, cinnamon and sometimes ginger are added during distillation to deepen the aromatic character. Rather than showing a wood-led style, this clairin speaks through flowers, spice and fruit, with a light vegetal edge that keeps it close to the cane.
At 51.5% alcohol, Clairin Casimir 2021 has real presence, yet its appeal is not just strength. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we (…)Clairin Le Rocher 2020
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Clairin Le Rocher 2020
On request only
Clairin Le Rocher 2020 is a Haitian rum made from sugar cane juice and bottled by Velier. What makes it stand out is its straightforward presentation: distilled in 2020, produced on a pot still, released without an age statement and bottled at cask strength at 47.5%.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum we place in front of customers who want to understand the origin and production behind the bottle. Rather than leaning on a stated age, it presents a specific 2020 distillate from Haiti, with Velier's name attached to the bottling.
It has also become a well-liked release, and only the last bottles remain in our selection. That gives Clairin Le Rocher 2020 a more fleeting character than a standard permanent bottling.
No specific (…)Clairin Sajous 2021 Incl. Box
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Clairin Sajous 2021 Incl. Box
In stock
Clairin Sajous 2021 is a Haitian sugar cane juice rum made by Michel Sajous, a third-generation distiller. His Distillerie Chelo was founded in 2004 on the family estate near Saint-Michel de l'Attalaye, surrounded by organically grown cane, including the rare Cristalline variety.
The interest here lies in how closely the spirit stays connected to the cane. Harvesting is done by hand between December and August, the fresh juice ferments naturally for 5 to 7 days with wild yeasts, and distillation takes place in a traditional bagasse-fired still, followed by a small column still. After a single 8-hour distillation, it is bottled without reduction; this release sits at 54.2% ABV.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this stands out as a rum where the voice of the raw (…)Clairin Sajous 2023
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Clairin Sajous 2023
Temporarily sold out
Expected: 28/10/2026Clairin Sajous 2023 is a Haitian sugar cane juice rum made in Saint-Michel de l'Attalaye by Michel Sajous. It is produced from Cristalline sugar cane grown through artisanal farming, with every step rooted in Haiti's rural distilling tradition.
The appeal here lies in its immediacy. Harvesting, production and distillation all take place on site, with no additions, and the spirit is distilled in a traditional pot still. Rather than leaning on wood influence, it speaks through cane, place and a very direct style of production.
Bottled at 55.2%, Clairin Sajous 2023 has the strength to carry that character with real clarity. At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we like to show to rum drinkers who are curious about pure, terroir-driven spirits from (…)Clairin Vaval 2022
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Clairin Vaval 2022
On request only
Clairin Vaval 2022 comes from Cavaillon in Haiti, where the Arawaks distillery produces rum in an artisanal way from fresh sugar cane juice. The cane variety is Madame Meuze, and that detail matters here: this is a spirit built around the direct expression of freshly pressed cane.
Fermentation is spontaneous, using wild yeasts naturally present on the sugar cane and in the surrounding air. Fritz Vaval then distils it traditionally in a pot still. At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum we like to present when someone wants to understand how characterful and distinctive sugar cane juice rum can be.
Bottled at 53.3%, Clairin Vaval 2022 has strength, but its story is really about purity and origin: fresh cane juice, delicate floral notes, tropical (…)Clairin Vieux Sajous 5y 57,50° (La Maison & Velier)
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Clairin Vieux Sajous 5y 57,50° (La Maison & Velier)
On request only
Clairin Vieux Sajous 5y presents Haitian clairin in a more mature register, while staying close to its sugar cane juice origin. Bottled by Velier, it is linked to Michel Sajous and the Chelo distillery, with five years of ageing in Haiti's tropical climate shaping the spirit.
This second edition of Vieux Sajous follows the first cuvée released in 2020. It is a blend of 14 casks that previously held notable rums, whiskies and cognacs. That cask history brings wood, spice and depth into the picture, yet the identity of Clairin remains central rather than being covered by maturation.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a compelling bottle for drinkers interested in aged cane spirits with a clear sense of origin. At 57.5% alcohol it has real presence, (…)Emb Blend 14y Coffret 2x70cl (Velier And Scheer)
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Emb Blend 14y Coffret 2x70cl (Velier And Scheer)
On request only
Emb Blend 14y Coffret 2x70cl is a Jamaican molasses rum bottled by Velier as part of the Velier and Scheer bottling. Its identity is built around a few strong elements: Jamaica, pot still distillation, 14 years of ageing and a cask strength bottling at 67.25%. That gives it a firmly defined place among powerful, mature rums.
The bourbon cask maturation brings a clear woody dimension, supported by lighter notes of spice, fruit, sweetness, vegetal character and a subtle floral touch. Rather than a soft, easy-going style, this is a rum where strength and maturation are central to the experience.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this coffret stands out because of its 2 x 70 cl presentation and the fact that only the last bottles remain. It is the kind of release that (…)Emb Blend 14y Continental (Velier And Scheer)
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Emb Blend 14y Continental (Velier And Scheer)
In stock
Emb Blend 14y Continental is a Jamaican rum from Velier, bottled as Velier and Scheer. Made from molasses and distilled in a pot still, it spent 14 years in a bourbon cask. Taken together, those details point to a rum with substance: mature, firm in style and shaped by a combination of distillate character and cask ageing.
It is bottled at cask strength, with an alcohol level of 64.8%. That strength gives the rum a serious presence and makes it a bottle to approach with time and attention. At Drankenshop Broekmans, Velier releases such as this are valued for the way they show rum in a more direct, less softened form.
The Continental reference in the name gives this edition its own place within the bottling. With 14 years of age, bourbon cask maturation and (…)
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.
