No matter whether it’s brown or white rum, spicy or fruity – when you hear the word “rum”, you often immediately feel like trying some delicious treats.
Many people think of the taste. To experience it, you must first Buy rum or order a perfectly prepared one at the bar.
Origin and History of Rum
The name "rum" is probably derived from the English dialect word "rumbullion," which means turmoil or tumult. The discovery of rum dates back to the 17th century.
It took quite some time before a fine spirit was developed that was on a par with whiskey or cognac: rum only gained real importance in the 19th century.
The shortage of other spirits also boosted the sale of rum. The particular problems associated with phylloxera played a decisive role here: between 1865 and 1885, large areas of French wine-growing regions were destroyed.
It was just the right time that the manufacture of sugar – directly from sugar beet – became established in Europe in the 19th century. As a result, imports from the Canary Islands were no longer necessary.
In the middle of the 19th century, the founder of Bacardi, Facundo Bacardi Massó, launched an extremely mild rum that quickly conquered Europe. In the 20th century, rum had finally arrived in the premium spirits league.
Brown rum versus white rum
There's no question that the color of rum is often the first indicator of its quality. However, visual impressions can sometimes be misleading. Producers or bottlers can alter the color afterward using caramel coloring and activated carbon filters.
For example, white rum can be given a rather attractive brown color by adding caramel coloring. In contrast, brown rum can have its color removed using various filtering methods, such as activated carbon filters.
This makes it clear that colour alone does not provide sufficient information regarding quality and maturation time.
Unaged rum
Unlike matured rum, unaged white rum is not aged in wooden barrels after distillation, but rather stored in steel tanks. On average, the storage period is between three and 30 months.
The aim is to ensure storage for as short a time as possible in order to prevent the proportion of the so-called “angel's share” (i.e. the proportion that evaporates during storage) from becoming particularly large.
During this time, the rum harmonizes. Any remaining fusel oils evaporate. The result is a white rum that has a much more harmonious and balanced taste than the fresh and inedible distillate.
For this reason, unaged rum is particularly suitable for mixing cocktails and long drinks. Unaged rum is not recommended for connoisseurs who prefer to drink rum neat.
Aged rum
In the category of matured rum, we mostly find higher quality rums that are characterized by a more complex production process. They are created via a finely tuned ratio of storage time, wooden barrel and climate.
If the rum color is not enhanced, it is the result of intensive and years-long exchange of wood and distillate. The color can develop into a yellow, amber color, or even a copper, bronze or mahogany tone.
As the rum matures in the barrel, it becomes darker and darker in color. Brown rum is stored for at least three years. Rums of particularly high quality can be stored in wooden barrels for up to 40 years.
The relatively high price results, among other things, from the high “angel's share”, which is up to 13 percent annually.
maturation in wooden barrels
Maturation in wooden barrels gives the rum its individual character. The maturation process can be described as interactive - there is an exchange between wood and spirit. Undesirable aromas, mainly caused by fusel oils, are broken down.
In contrast, there is an interaction between alcohol and wood. This causes the alcohol to release subtle aromas of caramel and vanilla, for example. This interaction is in an extremely delicate balance.
Various factors determine this. These include, for example, ambient temperature, climate, barrel type, wood, and the nature of the original distillate. Ultimately, this results in an endless range of different nuances in terms of taste, color and bouquet.
In the end, the connoisseur is presented with a diverse world that can be mild at times and powerful at others. The finished distillates also vary according to the different countries of origin.
So when you buy and drink rum, you can discover your favorites…
Shots Magazine / © Photos: Fesenko (1), bhofack2 (1), de.depositphotos.com
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