Rum is a key part of any well-stocked bar. From Daiquiris to Jungle Birds to sipping on the rocks, rum can do it all! But with such a broad variety of styles, producers, and processes, it’s easy to be overwhelmed. Here, we break down 5 key styles of rum and why they belong in your home bar.
White Rum: Copalli White Rum
White rum is the go-to option for many rum cocktails like Hurricanes, Cuba Libres, and the afore-mentioned Daiquiri. These unaged varieties let the sugarcane come through, providing the base for juices, spices, and other modifiers. Copalli produces theirs organically and sustainably in Belize. Whip up a Hemmingway Daiquiri to appreciate the herbaceous and citrus-forward profile of this clean spirit.
Agricole Rum: Kuleana Hawaiian Rum Agricole
Rum agricole is distilled directly from pressed sugarcane, rather than from fermented juice or cane byproducts, which is how the majority of rums are made. This often lends it a bit of funk, grassy aromas, and texture. Kuleana Rum Works on the island of Hawaiʻi produces theirs with Hawaiian heirloom sugarcane(kō) for a rich and fruity rum perfect for a Ti’ Punch.
Spiced Rum: Kraken Spiced Rum
Most people’s first dance with Spiced Rum starts with cola, and for good reason. Vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg are common flavors in both, and they compliment each other nicely for an easy two-ingredient call. The Kraken Black Spiced Rum brings in notes of toffee, caramel, and all those warm baking spice notes that make a spiced rum what it is. Revisit that Rum and Coke – if it ain’t broke and all….
Barrel-Finished Rum: Appleton Estate 12 Year Rare Casks
Appleton Estate’s 12 Year Old Rare Casks rum is a rich and varied blend of hand-selected pot and column still rums. Crafted with limestone-filtered water and aged for a minimum of 12 years in the tropical climate of Jamaica, this rum explodes with flavor. Try this in an Old Fashioned to appreciate the complexities oak barrels add to a nuanced rum.
Aged Rum: Zaya Gran Reserva 16 Year
Aged rum carries many of the same characteristics of whiskey or brandy; a rich base spirit bringing in flavors of oak, vanilla, and caramel. Rum is particularly well with all the nuances of a barrel. Made from a blend of aged rums, Zaya Gran Reserva is deep bronzed amber, with aromas of pear, baked apple, and spiced vanilla. This blend is best enjoyed neat or on ice, allowing the flavors to shine unadulterated.
