Rum
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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 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 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 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 (…)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 (…)Dictador 2 Masters 1978 Hardy Cognac Finish
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Dictador 2 Masters 1978 Hardy Cognac Finish
On request only
Dictador 2 Masters 1978 Hardy Cognac Finish is a Colombian rum built around time, cask character and scarcity. Distilled in 1978 and bottled on 13 August 2018, it carries an age statement of 39 years. The name points clearly to its Cognac Finish, with Hardy forming part of the identity of this release.
This is not a broad-volume bottling. It comes from a single cask, with only 360 bottles produced, and the last bottles indication gives it an extra sense of rarity. At Drankenshop Broekmans, a rum like this stands apart because it brings together mature Colombian rum, a defined cask finish and a very limited release.
The distillation style combines pot still and column distillation, bottled at 41% alcohol. Its profile places fruit and spice at the centre, with (…)Neisson 11y Cognac Artist (Artist Collection)
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Neisson 11y Cognac Artist (Artist Collection)
Temporarily sold out
Expected: 01/11/2026Neisson 11y Cognac Artist is a Martinique rum made from sugar cane juice, distilled in 2014 and bottled in 2025 after eleven years in a cask that previously held cognac. It was bottled at cask strength, 51%, giving this release a concentrated and firmly defined presence.
It forms part of ARTIST #16 NEISSON, created for the 70th anniversary of La Maison du Whisky. That context matters here: the ARTIST collection, launched in 2011, is devoted to rum for the first time in this edition, in partnership with the family-owned Neisson distillery in Martinique.
The presentation is part of the appeal. The label by Gribouilliz draws on the island's fauna and flora and is dedicated to the Matoutou Falaise, a Martinican tarantula. With only 420 bottles, this is the kind (…)Neisson 2021 Straight From The Barrel Vieux Cognac
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Neisson 2021 Straight From The Barrel Vieux Cognac
In stock
Neisson 2021 Straight From The Barrel Vieux Cognac is a cask strength agricole rum from Martinique, made from sugar cane juice and bottled at 58.9%. It has the directness suggested by its name: a rum kept close to the barrel, with concentration and presence rather than a polished, softened style.
It spent four years maturing in a 600-litre Cognac cask. The warm, humid conditions of the Vevert warehouses give it notable depth, while the cane-driven identity remains part of the conversation. The supplied profile points to a generous mix of fruit, spice, wood, floral touches and herbal accents.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a rum for drinkers who enjoy the more intense side of Martinique agricole. It is powerful, layered and expressive, with enough (…)Patridom XO Cognac II Tube Incl.
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Patridom XO Cognac II Tube Incl.
In stock
Patridom XO Cognac II is a premium rum from the Dominican Republic, shaped by local sugar cane, multicolumn distillation and full maturation in the country's tropical climate. It carries the polished, generous side of Dominican rum, but with an additional layer that sets this release apart.
After its tropical ageing, this limited edition received a second extra maturation in selected casks in the continental climate of Pakhuis 1423 in Denmark. The Cognac Finish gives the rum a more vinous, fruit-led direction, supported by sweetness and gentle spice rather than a heavy wood-driven style.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a good example of a Dominican rum with a clear finishing influence and a composed drinking character. Bottled at 43%, it has enough (…)Patridom XO Cognac Tube Incl.
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Patridom XO Cognac Tube Incl.
In stock
Patridom XO Cognac is a Dominican rum built around locally grown sugar cane and given an added layer through a Cognac cask finish. The Patridom range focuses on premium rums from the Dominican Republic, distilled in a multi-column still and matured in the country's tropical climate.
What gives this release its own direction is the second maturation. After its tropical ageing, it spent an additional period in selected casks in the continental climate of warehouse 1423 in Denmark. The result stays soft and gently sweet, but the fruit feels more developed, with light spice and a subtle touch of wood adding depth.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this Patridom has a natural place among rums for drinkers who enjoy a rounded, fruit-led style with a little extra refinement (…)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 Guyana 2008 15y Single Cask For Sits (Planteray - Plantation Single Cask)
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Plantation Guyana 2008 15y Single Cask For Sits (Planteray - Plantation Single Cask)
On request only
Plantation Guyana 2008 15y Single Cask For Sits is a very focused Guyanese rum: one cask, one vintage, and just 300 bottles. Distilled from molasses at Diamond Distillery in 2008 and bottled in 2023, it carries 15 years of maturation in a style that feels deliberately bold and full of detail.
Its maturation path is especially important here. The rum first spent 2 years in tropical Bourbon casks, followed by 13 years in Ferrand casks. That long second stage connects closely with the Cognac Finish character and gives the rum a clear woody and spicy side, while the fruity notes remain an important part of the profile.
The use of both pot still and column distillation adds breadth to the spirit. Rather than a simple sweet rum, this is a robust molasses-based (…)Plantation Panama 2008 (Planteray Vintage)
103360° view available
Plantation Panama 2008 (Planteray Vintage)
In stock
Plantation Panama 2008 is a molasses-based rum from Panama, bottled as part of the Planteray Vintage range. Its appeal lies in the vintage approach: distilled in 2008, aged for 13 years and bottled at 45.7%, it has a more defined presence than a straightforward everyday rum.
Traditional column distillation gives the rum its foundation, while the Cognac finish adds an extra layer to the maturation story. The character indicated here leans towards fruit and spice, with wood playing a supporting role rather than dominating the glass.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a bottle for drinkers who enjoy rum with a clear origin, vintage and ageing identity. With only the last bottles remaining, it is also a release that is gradually disappearing from the (…)Plantation St Lucia 2007 Nectar (Planteray - Plantation Single Cask)
LAST PIECES156360° view available
Plantation St Lucia 2007 Nectar (Planteray - Plantation Single Cask)
On request only
Plantation St Lucia 2007 Nectar is a molasses-based rum from St. Lucia, distilled in 2007 and bottled in 2021. The product name still carries the Plantation reference, while the bottling is listed under Planteray; what matters most here is the Single Cask approach, where one individual cask defines the whole release.
Aged for 13 years, distilled in a pot still and bottled at 60.2%, this is a rum with real presence. The Cognac Finish adds another dimension to a spirit already shaped by wood, spice and fruit, without moving it into an overly sweet direction.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, releases like this are valued because they show rum in a more focused, cask-driven way. Only 480 bottles were produced, and with the last bottles now available, this St. Lucia (…)Planteray Australia 2016 10y Oceana Incl. Box
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Planteray Australia 2016 10y Oceana Incl. Box
In stock
Planteray Australia 2016 10y Oceana is an Australian molasses-based rum from the Oceana Vintage Collection N°4. Distilled in 2016 after a fermentation of 2 to 3 days, it has spent 10 years maturing before being bottled at 52% ABV.
The maturation follows Planteray's double-ageing approach: 8 years of tropical ageing in bourbon casks, followed by 2 years of continental ageing in Ferrand casks, with a Cognac finish. That combination gives the rum a sense of depth while keeping its fruit, spice and floral side clearly in view.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a rum for customers who enjoy a more expressive tasting style rather than a simple sweet profile. It brings together ripe fruit, soft confectionery notes, tropical flavours and a drier, more (…)Planteray Barbados 5y 1,75l (Planteray Blend)
84360° view available
Planteray Barbados 5y 1,75l (Planteray Blend)
In stock
Planteray Barbados 5y 1.75l presents a Barbados rum with a generous bottle size and a clearly defined house style. It is made from a blend of pot still and column still rum from Stade's West Indies Rum Distillery, founded in 1893 by George Stade. That combination gives the rum an easy-going feel while still keeping enough shape and spice to remain interesting.
The maturation story is central here. The rum first spends three years ageing beside the beach in Barbados. The casks then travel by sea to France, developing further through what Planteray describes as dynamic ageing. A second maturation in ex-Ferrand casks, with a cognac finish, brings the total ageing to five years and adds roundness and structure.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of (…)Planteray Barbados XO 1,75l (Planteray Blend)
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Planteray Barbados XO 1,75l (Planteray Blend)
In stock
Planteray Barbados XO 1.75l is a generous Barbados rum with a polished, luxurious feel. It was first created as a tribute to master blender Alexandre Gabriel, marking his twentieth year in that role. That sense of craftsmanship is central to the rum: carefully selected aged Barbados rums, historical inspiration and a creative approach to maturation all come together in the blend.
The rums are distilled at the West Indies Rum Distillery in Barbados from molasses fermented for 3 to 5 days. Distillation combines pot still and column still spirit, giving the blend room for depth as well as roundness. Maturation takes place in several types of cask, including white oak, bourbon casks and Ferrand cognac casks, with different levels of toasting. The rums used range from 12 to 20 (…)
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.
