Everything you need to know about rum (and the best rum to buy!)

Rum is a very popular spirit that you might associate with holidays, pirates, treasure, and tiki bars.

But this tropical spirit has a wonderful flavour profile and many craft gin distillers are turning their hand to create this innovative tipple. So much so, that we’re stocking some very special rums now on the Craft Gin Club shop.

If you’re a gin lover and fancy trying something a bit different (or perhaps have already dabbled in the rum world!) then here’s everything you need to know about this special spirit - from which rums make the best rum gifts, to how rum is made, and the different types of rum.

This exciting spirit category is one to keep an eye on! Ahoy me hearties…

What is rum made of?

Making rum involves a fermentation process (using yeast and water) followed by distilling sugarcane mollasses or juice from a sugar cane.

There are many different types of sugarcane - where the sugarcane is grown and the variety has a big impact on the final flavour.

The distilled liquid (which is clear at first) is then aged in oak barrels, which determines its final hue. The colour can vary - hence why white or light rum is aged for only a short amount of time compared to dark rum.

Where does rum come from?

Rum is made in many places, but a lot of it comes from the Caribbean (like Jamaica, Cuba, and Barbados), and other places like South America and the Philippines.

What does rum taste like?

It depends on what type of rum you are enjoying.

All rum has a sweet (toasted sugar) taste to it - and if you are having a golden rum, you can taste flavours like caramel, citrus, coconut, and mango.

Spiced rum has notes of pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon.

What are the different types of rum?

• Light rums (also known as white rum): tends to have a shorter fermentation process and is often mixed in cocktails like a mojito or daiquiri.
• Golden Rum: is amber in colour and aged in white oak barrels.
• Dark rum: has a brown or red colouring due to being aged in charred wooden barrels - giving it a sweeter, stronger taste. It’s often best enjoyed neat.
• Spiced rum: a dark rum with added flavouring and spices.
  

Light rums (also known as white rum): tends to have a shorter fermentation process and is often mixed in cocktails like a mojito or daiquiri.

Golden Rum: is amber in colour and aged in white oak barrels.

Dark rum: has a brown or red colouring due to being aged in charred wooden barrels - giving it a sweeter, stronger taste. It’s often best enjoyed neat.

Spiced rum: a dark rum with added flavouring and spices.

What is the best rum to buy?

Twin Fin (made by none other than Tarquin’s Distillery) has launched a collection of beautiful, exotic rums.

With exciting flavour combinations like Twin Fin’s Coconut & Lychee Rum, they make the perfect rum gift.

There’s also Cuckoo Sundowner Rum, Manchester One-Eyed-Rebel Spiced Rum, and Gwyr Ladron Chilli & Chocolate Rum.

And watch this space for other beautiful rums we’ll be stocking on the Craft Gin Club shop…

Can rum go off?

An unopened bottle of rum won’t go bad for years - and similarly to gin - you can prolong its life by storing it correctly: keeping it at room temperature and away from direct sunlight.

If opened, it’s best to consume it within six months or else it can lose its mouth-watering smell and taste. But our rum cocktail recipes are so good - we guarantee you won’t have leftovers!

How do you drink rum?

In many ways! Rum is a very versatile spirit. It tastes gorgeous on the rocks, works well with ginger ale and fresh lime juice, and also sings in cocktails!

Click here for the best rum cocktail recipes. (Better still, we sell rum cocktail bundles that make it easy peasy!) And it’d only be right to share our favourite rum & gin cocktails. (They make a surprisingly good pairing!)