Golden, Dark and Spiced - Here Comes Rum
If you’re in the mood for trying something different, but still want to enjoy a long drink or beautifully crafted cocktail, then why not try rum?
If you’re in the mood for trying something different, but still want to enjoy a long drink or beautifully crafted cocktail, then why not try rum?
For a few years now we’ve heard rumblings of artisan rum being the next big thing to take over our booze shelves. Okay, we thought. We can get down with that. We love a Mojito, a Dark & Stormy, a classic daiquiri. Even the simple delight of a spiced rum and cola with lots of ice and slice of orange is something we enjoy.
And then we waited.
And although that almighty explosion that came with the rise of gin has yet to happen, we suddenly realised we have a LOT of really good artisan rums in stock now. It’s clearly a stealthier type of trend than the showy G&T!
With that said, we realised that many of our customers (and staff!) don’t really know about the breadth and flavour profiles available in the new age of Scottish and British artisan rums. Long gone are the pirate’s grog and tropical cocktails loved by Delboy, and in their place are deliciously tasty spirits to be enjoyed neat on the rocks or shaken and stirred into a range of fabulous cocktails.
If you’re in the mood for trying something a little different but still want to enjoy the satisfaction of a long drink, or beautifully crafted cocktail, then we recommend giving rum a try. Here’s our handy guide to becoming a connoisseur of the latest big thing in booze. You read it here first.
The first thing to get to grips with is that rum comes in three main types. Yes, all rum is made from sugarcane or sugarcane by-products such as molasses or syrup which is distilled into a liquid alcohol. It is typically higher than 40% abv making it a strong contender for the booziest of all spirits.
Rum was first created in the Caribbean where it was aged in oak casks. Typically, darker rums were used for sipping or drinking straight because of the complex flavours, while light rums were used in cocktails.
Whilst we’re sure you’ll be familiar with the mass-produced white rum favourites the vast majority of new artisan rums are dark or spiced. So what exactly is the difference and how do you get the most from each?
Light, silver or white rum is aged for less time than other varieties. Directly after this spirit is distilled it is already clear. To make it into rum that can be sold, producers typically filter the liquor until it's free from impurities. Think Bacardi!
Dark, black or navy rum starts off as the same clear spirit that makes light rum. However, instead of being filtered and bottled straight away, dark rums are aged in wooden barrels producing that rich colour and a bold flavour.
The longer the rum is aged, the darker it is which is why you can also find golden rums as a mid-way point. Expect notes of vanilla, brown sugar, and toffee along with a bit of sweetness, which makes this type of rum an excellent choice to sip or use in a variety of cocktails.
Spiced rum is typically aged as long as dark rum but has varying blends of spices added to the mix during the aging process which change the taste and give it that kick. It can be any colour and is a favourite for cocktails and long drinks.
As with all great artisan drinks undergoing a boom time, the rum distillers have created new and exciting flavours to keep us going back for more. All three listed here are Scottish made rums, with the first two sticking to the centuries old Caribbean combo of banana and Dark Matter going all scientific with a Rhubarb liqueur - we can confirm all are delicious!
1 tsp granulated sugar
15ml Lime juice
50ml J. Gow Spiced Rum
1 tsp Curacao/Triple Sec
10ml Orange Juice
Ice
Dissolve the sugar with the lime juice in a cocktail shaker. Add the rest of the ingredients and ice. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with orange and lime peel.
In a highball glass full of ice add:
50ml Cabal No. 1513
10ml Orange Juice, freshly squeezed
Top-up ginger ale
Stir well and top up with ice if necessary. Garnish with orange wedge and ground coffee
Think of rum and you’ll no doubt think of pirates and naval officers.
Rum's association with piracy began with English privateers trading in the valuable commodity. Some of the privateers became pirates and buccaneers, and a continuing fondness for rum led to authors such as Robert Louis Stevenson linking the two forever.
When a Royal Navy fleet captured the island of Jamaica in 1695, the British embraced the availability of the islands’ rum and changed the daily ration of liquor from French brandy to rum.
Navy rum was originally a blend mixed from rums produced in the West Indies and was supplied at a as 57% abv as that was the only strength that could be tested at the time. The "gunpowder method” saw gunpowder soaked in a spirit; if it could still burn the spirit was rated above proof. The term "Navy strength" is still used in modern Britain to specify spirits bottled at 57% ABV
Find our full range of artisan rums to buy online over in the Off Licence >
More Other Spirits >
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