Rum the best varieties

Rum is considered a noble drink of real pirates and connoisseurs of strong alcohol. During its existence, a mass of varieties, tastes, brands and, of course, fakes have appeared in the world. Choosing the best one is easy if you know what to look for in the store. The label will tell you which rum is better. And this article.

When choosing a product, any knowledgeable buyer first of all pays attention to the label. According to the law of the Russian Federation, it must contain information about the composition, the manufacturer, as well as other important notes depending on the product. If we are talking about rum, then the main inscription (or lack thereof) on the bottle is “Rhum Agricole”. Its presence suggests that you are holding in your hands, if not one of the best varieties, then definitely a real drink.

Rhum Agricole

This variety (Rhum Agricole) is called agricultural, it is the most valuable and is produced in small quantities. If there is no such inscription, then we are dealing with industrial alcohol. Its cost, of course, is much lower, however, the taste is very different. A true connoisseur should try a real one at least once in his life.

To determine which rum is the best, it is important to pay attention to the country of origin. It would be wrong to think that the quality leader comes to our country from Cuba. The best varieties are also produced in Jamaica, Guadeloupe, the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean state of Puerto Rico. In addition, drinks from Venezuela, Chile, Mexico and Colombia are famous.

Rum varieties

Those who have long been familiar with the elite pirate rum, as well as experienced sommeliers, disagree on whether to look for their own drink, or whether it is better to make gastronomic trips every time, trying new things and discovering shades, flavors and aromas. Nevertheless, in order to make your own, even a small, rating, it is important to know a thing or two about the varieties of the famous drink.

There are many varieties and brands of "pirated" alcohol in the world, but all of them can be divided into only three large groups:

• light;
• gold;
• dark.

They differ not only in color, but also in taste. Each large group has its own varieties.

Light, or white, differs in that it is not aged. It enters the final container almost immediately after production, therefore it is colorless.

The taste is light - a soft, sensitive tongue will find a nut. The aroma is subtle, with an admixture of plant tones and good honey.

The best varieties of light (white) rum are suitable for making a wide variety of alcoholic cocktails, as well as eating with barbecue meat and fatty poultry. This variety is perfect for the first acquaintance with this strong drink.

Golden is a variety that is aged in special barrels for three years. Its color can be either white or straw, it tastes sweet and fresh, with hints of tropical fruits and vanilla. The finish will satisfy the desires of nut and coffee lovers.

Gold rum also goes well with barbecue meat and poultry, and is used in the preparation of refreshing alcoholic cocktails.

Dark acquires its own special, rich color, thanks to aging, which must be at least three years. The Spanish word Anejo is used as a designation for this parameter, then the number corresponding to the duration of the exposure, and the word Anos (year):

20 $	Anejo 5 Anos is distinguished by the color that old gold gives. The best five-year-old rum contains musk, original spices, sweet marzipan, guava, invigorating citruses. Its aftertaste is sweet and thick.	RUM FLOR DE CANA 5 ANNI BLACK LABEL
45 $	Anejo 7 Anos is dark amber, color close to coffee saturation. Seven years old, it has a scent with notes of cinnamon, caramel, nutmeg and fruit.	RON ABUELO ANEJO 7 YERS
70 $	Anejo 12 Anos, despite its bright dark color, has a mild taste. You can taste sweet toffee and tart baked banana. The aftertaste is more intense: here you can feel the original spices and nutmeg.	Ron Centenario 12-Year

Rum rating

Those who prefer only rum to other strong drinks have already folded their rating a long time ago. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the most popular brands that can be bought in our country.

Havana Club (Havana Club) is produced in Cuba and presents itself long-aged flavors. The youngest of the family of this brand has a two-year exposure. Havana Club gained popularity due to its pleasant light yellow color and light, refined aroma, achieved through the use of selected types of alcohol, its careful filtration and aging in natural wood barrels, as well as blending.

The Havana Club line is presented in several options for each client.

Blanco is a classic. Known since the seventies of the nineteenth century.

Anejo 2 is ideal for a cocktail called Daiquiri. Anejo 7 is an excellent partner for a good cigar. Cocktails from alcohol of such a long exposure are not prepared, since its original, bright taste should not be interrupted by additives.

The brand of rum Bacardi (Bacardi) bears the name of its creator - Cuban Don Facundo Bacardi. He improved on the coarse and harsh Rum, which was popular in those days, using charcoal for filtration and the method of infusion in wooden barrels.

The Bacardi line includes a wide variety of the best rum: White, Gold, Reserva Superior, Lemon, Solera, Black. Among them, Bacardi Black stands out, which is considered a premium alcoholic drink. It is based not on the waste of sugar production (molasses), but on sugarcane molasses. Despite the strength, which is the standard forty degrees, black Bacardi is easy to drink. Among the cocktails based on Black Bacardi are known "Brown Derby", "Coffee Grog", "Chicago Fizz".

Rum Captain Morgan (Captain Morgan) comes to Russia from Jamaica.

The most famous in the Captain Morgan line is Spiced Gold. Initially, it has no color, but when caramel is added to it, the famous amber shade is obtained.

Some of the best Captain Morgan beers include Black Label, Spiced Gold 1L and Black.

A real pirate drink that even the most modest law-abiding citizens can taste today is Pyrat.

This elite ultra-premium brand is honored by world stars and businessmen, therefore it can often be found as a sponsor at such prestigious events as the Oscar, Grammy and the like.

Strong representatives of the Pyrat brand are aged from fifteen to forty years or more.

Perhaps starting with the most popular brands, you can compose your top-best spirits for a party, intimate company or other enjoyable occasions.

Rum is a strong drink made from molasses and cane syrup, which contains about 35% alcohol. There are three main varieties - white, gold and dark. The best rum is determined by taste and overall quality, which is influenced by five factors: the type of sugar used, the fermentation time, the fermentation characteristics, the aging time in the barrel, and the strength after bottling. Historically, rum is considered the drink of sailors, captains and pirates. Below is a list of those brands that are considered elite in their class. They can be drunk neat or added to cocktails if desired.

10. One Barrel

One Barrel rum was recently featured in men's magazines and is offered at prices that are much lower than many of the other drinks on this list. "One Barrel" is produced in a small distillery in Belize and has a tangible taste of tobacco that distinguishes it from the rest of the class. The rich and unique bouquet of this rum contains distinct tones of coffee, nuts and caramel.

9. Pyrat Cask 1623

Pyrat Cask is a limited edition rum made with the finest blends of Caribbean wines to evoke the inner pirate in everyone. It is kept in a barrel for up to 40 years before bottling, and in addition to a viscous consistency, it has an unmatched lively aroma, similar to cognac - which is why for some it is the best rum. The color of the drink is brass. Pyrat uses spices for baking in its rums, so the drinks are distinguished by their oily taste and the presence of an earthy flavor in it.

8. Santa Teresa 1796

Santa Teresa is a Venezuelan rum based on local molasses. It is stored in oak barrels, while the manufacturer uses an aging system called "Solera". Rum is aged for four to thirty-five years before being bottled. The resulting drink has a golden color and has a rich caramel aroma with a touch of cocoa and spices.

7. Old Monk

Rum "Old Monk" is dark in color and matured in India for seven years. The drink is corked in a barrel with vanilla and a number of other ingredients, which contributes to the formation of a strong spicy aroma. "Old Monk" ranks third in terms of worldwide sales and is by far the most popular rum made in India. The inimitable chocolate-vanilla flavor proves that this is the best rum Mohan Meakin Ltd. could make. The drink first appeared in 1854, and since 1982 it has been awarded gold medals for quality every year.

6. Prichards' Fine

Rum "Prichards' Fine" is produced in the Tennessee mountains from molasses. It is cooked in a copper pot and then filtered through maple charcoal. Next, the drink is aged in oak barrels until golden rum is obtained. The palate is notable for hints of Tennessee whiskey, vanilla and roasted nuts. The aroma resembles cider, and the taste is not tart, which allowed the drink to enter the top ten elite rums.

5. Pusser's British Navy

Pusser is the company that made rum a part of the marine legend. This drink has been produced and aged in wooden barrels in the British Virgin Islands for more than 300 years. In the early 1700s, rum was considered the key to the health of sailors, and a pint of "Pusser ..." was allocated to their daily rations by the skippers. The drink is a blend of six different types of rum. Long-term popularity, multiplied by a rich flavor - that's why this is the best rum according to the entire population of the UK, at least.

4. Ron Zacapa 23

Ron Zacapa 23 is a premium rum produced in the Guatemalan mountains and aged for a minimum of six years (the maximum aging time is 23 years). The drink contains 40% alcohol. They won many awards: at the tasting institute "Zacapa ..." he received an assessment of 98 points out of 100 possible - this was an absolute record. It is also the first rum to be inducted into the International Rum Festival Hall of Fame. It is made from molasses obtained after the first pressing of sugar cane, and then stored in barrels, which previously contained sherry, whiskey and wine.

3. Mount Gay Special Reserve

Mount Gay is the oldest distillery in Barbados and boasts a wide range of excellent rums. The white "Special Reserve" has a rich caramelized aroma reminiscent of butterscotch. The light nutty flavor and subtle fruit extract make the rum taste moderately harsh.

2. El Dorado

El Dorado is a lost land of gold, and El Dorado gets its name because it is considered liquid gold. This drink is produced in Guyana, and the ideal aging time for it is 15 years. For its taste, texture and especially complex aroma, it won first place in the Best Rum category at the famous International Wine & Spirits Challenge for four consecutive years. In 2005, "El Dorado" was included by Forbes magazine in the top ten drinks in its class.

1. Bacardi Reserva Limitada

Bacardi is the largest privately owned spirits producer, and the rum is considered to be their most famous creation. This elite drink was actually created a long time ago, but it was not until 2003 that they finally started selling it in honor of the opening of the Bacardi brand store. Bacardi Reserva Limitada, made up of only the brand's finest rums, has been stored in slightly charred American white oak barrels for 10-16 years. The resulting drink has a rich reddish-golden color and not tart taste with hints of vanilla, oak and dried fruits. The place to buy Bacardi Reserva Limitada is the world's only Bacardi brand store in the Bahamas (Nassau).

That's the whole TOP-10 of the most popular drinks of this type, which have earned recognition from critics and ordinary people. Not all of them are sold in Russia, but the rumor about the tastes and quality of this “ten” has reached us. Which rum is better - one of them or something else - is up to you. Good luck!

What is the best rum in the world. Rating TOP 10

3.5

(70.4%) voted

25

Rum is a popular alcoholic beverage with a rich history and unique production technology based on centuries-old traditions. Strong alcohol has long been associated with sailors. He "amused the soul" of pirates and robbers. Since then, many varieties of the drink have appeared, it began to be produced all over the world, but Cuban rum remains one of the best.

History of Cuban rum

Cuba has played an important role in the history of this drink. In the XVI century. on the Spanish lands began to grow sugar cane, imported from the Canary Islands. At first, alcohol was produced from itand then, after about 100 years, sweet syrup was used to make an alcoholic beverage. This is how the first types of rum appeared, which were very tart and strong. Over time, production technology has improved, which has significantly improved product quality. The result is a refreshing and enjoyable Cuban Rum that is not much different from today's.

Thanks to the rapid development of the sugar industry in the Caribbean, 125 small rum-smoking plants have been built. At the end of the 18th century, Cuba already exported more than 200 thousand liters, and by the beginning of the 19th century this figure reached 500 thousand liters of sweet alcohol.

History of famous brands

Facundo Bacardi was one of the first producers of this drink. He invented a new production technology, which made it possible to make a delicious rum from a cheap alcoholic drink. Due to the use of new distillation devices, Don Bacardi's alcohol had a significant advantage over the products of other islands.

Same

In the middle of the 20th century, Matusalem rum became the most revered rum in Cuba. He was glorified by the Kamp brothers, who arrived in 1870 from Spain to start their own production in Cuban lands. Together with a partner, the brothers developed a secret formula for processing sugar molasses, in which the rough taste of alcohol became even and balanced. The main advantage of the products of the three entrepreneurs - this is a long and correct exposure (from 7 to 23 years). Already in 1881, the aged Matusalem drink received worldwide recognition and its first awards.

The history of the Havana Club brand also began on the coast of Cuba. The distillery was created by Jose Arechabala. After the arrival of the Castro government, the Arechabala family moved to Spain. Fidel Castro nationalized all enterprises, including alcoholic beverages. A difficult time has begun for the producers of spirits. Some well-known brands were forced to move production to other islands, many had to close down altogether. The Arechabala family did not have any enterprises outside Cuba, so they did not have the right to produce products under the name Havana Club. But under this brand abroad all Cuban rum was supplied. Later, the Bacardi firm launched production according to Jose Arechabal's recipe.

Despite the difficulties, more than 40 brands of rum are now produced in Cuba, which are wildly popular.

What is rum: types and varieties

Any alcoholic drink, depending on the strength, color, technology and country of production, is divided into types and varieties. This classification helps to choose the right brand, taking into account personal taste preferences.

Types of rum by production technology

Unlike other alcoholic beverages, there are no uniform methods in the production of rum. Taking into account climatic conditions, local traditions and recipes, products have different taste characteristics.

According to the production technology, the following types are determined:

1. Agricultural. Pure cane juice is used to make the drink, from which sugar is not separated. Fermentation occurs naturally without the addition of yeast. This method is very expensive and many have abandoned it. In addition, rum can only be made when sugarcane is harvested from the plantations.
2. Industrial. The most common and efficient production method. Its essence is that sugar is removed from sugar cane, and squeezed molasses is subjected to non-stop distillation, fermentation and distillation. This method is used all over the world and approximately 90% of all rum is obtained.
3. Tafia. Least quality alcohol produced in some third world countries. According to this technology, the drink is obtained by processing molasses products.

Rum varieties by color

Alcohol made from cane is always white after distillation. It is the aging process and all kinds of additives form the aroma and color of the rum.

There are such varieties:

1. Light - an alcoholic beverage of minimum aging, transparent, sometimes white or silver in color. Light varieties of rum are soft, do not have a bright taste. Excerpt is carried out in metal vats, which are not able to give the alcohol any shade. Its duration varies from 4 months to 2 years. The drink becomes transparent after running through charcoal filters. In the production of white rum, filtration is applied only after aging. A striking example is the brands: Legendario, Santero, Palma Mulata.
2. Gold. The unusual color and more pronounced taste, in contrast to the light varieties, depends on the ripening time and the type of barrel. Spices and caramel can be added to the mash. Unfiltered alcohol has an amber hue. The aging period is 1–2 years in oak barrels.
3. Dark. This rich color is obtained by using a thick, syrupy liquid of black or dark brown color, obtained after evaporation of the sugarcane juice. The alcoholic drink matures for at least 3 years in burnt barrels made of the finest oak wood. Aged rum has a thick consistency, amazing aroma and bright multifaceted taste of caramel, molasses or spices. Of all the dark varieties, Rancado Black is a real find for connoisseurs of hot drinks - with a deep caramel shade and an expressive taste with hints of pepper and crushed walnut shells. The favorite drink of the Spanish monarchs was Bacardi Black. Now this brand belongs to the premium category.
4. Flavored. Unseasoned alcohol, the drink gets a certain shade from various additives. As additives, the aroma of fruits is used: coconut, mango, lemon, orange. Famous brands: Bacardi Limon, Bacardi Apple. The drinks are mesmerizing with their mild sour aftertaste and fresh fruity aroma.

Classification of varieties by strength

After the distillation of cane juice a very strong alcohol is obtained (about 80 degrees). To reduce the high degree, the drink is diluted with clean water.

By fortress, the following varieties are distinguished:

1. Rum elixir (rum strength 30-40%).
2. Aged (aging period - from 5 to 12 years).
3. Strong (standard - 40%, some varieties may have 75%).

Cuban rum: brands and countries

The development of international relations contributes to the distribution of goods around the world, including alcoholic beverages. It is alcoholic beverages that have always enjoyed great popularity among neighboring states. Each type of rum has its own peculiarity, which it acquires only in the producing country. The name of the variety and the type of alcohol also depend on the area.

By country, rum is:

• Cuban;
• Jamaican;
• Spanish;
• Hawaiian.

Cuban rum. It is produced from molasses, a by-product of sugar cane processing. To prepare the mash, a black viscous mass diluted with water is used. Then yeast is added to it to form acids and esters. The fermentation process (fermentation) is constantly monitored by the masters, since it is at this moment that the taste of the future drink is formed. Depending on the type of rum, fermentation lasts from 20 to 80 hours. The finished mash is subjected to double distillation (distillation) in alambics. This allows you to preserve the maximum amount of aromatic alcohols and to separate unpleasant odors.

After a year and a half, alcohol is obtained, which is bred to a strength of 55% and left to ripen in white oak barrels. When the next stage of aging is completed, the master of blending mixes different types of drink. After blending, uncorked alcohol is infused for several more weeks. Then the drink is filtered and bottled.

A special feature of the Cuban province is a sweet rum called Guayabita del Pinar. There are no analogues of this product. It is produced in two types - sweet and dry. The drink is infused with dried guava, an exotic fruit that imparts its specific taste and smell to alcohol. Besides the tropical fruit, caramel, vanilla and herbs can be used. Aged in cedar barrels for at least a month.

Light Cuban rum is famous for the following brands: Caney, Havana Club, Santiago de Cuba, Varadero.

Jamaican rum is strong, heavy with a deep bitter taste. It is made from juicy and sweet sedge using traditional methods. The fermentation process takes longerthan in Cuba and is 12 days. For local residents, rum is a cure for all ills. In terms of the number of bars, Jamaica is in first place in the world ranking. Locals prefer Wray & Nephew White Overproof. Popular brands: Bepi Tosolini, Captain Morgan, Plummer, Appleton, Wedderburm.

Spanish rum. For a long time, rum in Spain was considered a drink for the poor. The authorities were seriously concerned about the low quality of local alcohol and announced a good reward for a successful winemaker who can make it tasty and soft. Facundo Bacardi managed to change the situation. The improved drink was reminiscent of Cuban in taste and quality.

Now Spain is engaged in the production of high-quality alcohol, but it has no special tastes. The most famous brands: Cartavio, Bacardi, Ingenio Manacas, Tobacco, Dos Maderas, Ronrico Gold, Clarke’s Court.

Hawaiian rum has a full range of alcoholic nuances. It is made by an industrial method., aged in old tarred barrels. The drink turns out to be light with a delicate aroma, and due to its low cost, it has become very popular in the Hawaiian Islands. The most famous are 4 brands: Hana Bay, Koloa, Diamond Head and Maui.

Cuban rum is one of the legendary drinks that can be drunk on its own, used in cooking and in cocktails. Mixing different flavors creates unusual shades and aromas that can bring true pleasure and joy, and a bright aftertaste leaves an unforgettable impression.

Attention, only TODAY!

1 Instead of an introduction

Rum began to gain popularity in the CIS countries from the beginning of the 2000s - with the appearance of this drink in stores. Most of our compatriots know what rum is. This product was popularized through pirate novels and stories (especially those written by R.L.Stevenson).In terms of strength, it does not differ from vodka - its strength ranges from 37 to 45 degrees. In the Caribbean, Latin America and the United States, they drank rum just like we do vodka - it was cheap and strong alcohol, which was available to most of the population.

In the modern world, rum has become one of the most popular products, which is added to cocktails or drunk neat. However, not everyone knows which rum is the best and how to choose a high-quality drink.

The alcoholic product rum has existed for a long time. Rum is now receiving many awards at international exhibitions for its taste (from different manufacturers), while there are many myths and invented stories about the creation of this drink. There are also enough invented names for it. It was often called "Pirate's Blood", "Nelson's Blood", "Death of the Devil", "Water from Barbados", etc.

Rum has been used for inspiration by writers such as Hemingway, Jacolliot and Sabbatini. There is a curious case when an uprising took place because of him - at the beginning of the 19th century in Australia, the governor W. Bly ordered no longer to pay farm laborers a fee in rum, but to pay in money. It went into history as a "rum rebellion". Therefore, some consider this drink to be one of the romantic ones, which adds to its popularity. Rum in the world is shrouded in the sea glory of the Caribbean Islands, which allowed it to take a high position among all alcohol.

Rum from the Caribbean

Rum was one of the most consumed drinks among sailors, writers, merchants, military men, etc. This always made it possible to maintain the prices for this drink at a sufficiently high level, which opened up wide opportunities for the manufacture of counterfeits, illegal distilleries and the smuggling of this drink (since taxes on alcohol in all countries of the world were quite high).

The popularization of the drink has led to the fact that today it is produced in many countries: the USA, Germany, Great Britain, Denmark, France, Australia, Russia, etc. This has led to the emergence of a large number of brands and tastes. But the undisputed leaders in the production of a good product are the countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This is due to the fact that in most countries the technology for the production of this drink is not always observed, in some they replace components using non-original ones (for example, in Russia, beet sugar is used instead of cane sugar). However, it provides a wide variety of drinks on store shelves and markets. It should be noted that each manufacturer has its own recipe for preparing the drink, which makes it "special". Also, each manufacturer comes up with different stories about the creation of rum to actively promote their product on the market. Often these stories have nothing to do with the real story of the emergence of a particular drug.

To choose a good rum from everything on offer, you should know about alcohol or seek help. So there are people who understand alcoholic beverages, they are called kavists. They will help you choose a high-quality rum for every taste and for every wallet. However, not everyone can afford such an expensive consultation, which often exceeds the cost of several high-quality “elite” bottles. Therefore, many people choose to pick their own rum, often through trial and error.

Of course, this method is the most practical and allows you to choose exactly what a particular person likes, but you can understand how good the rum is by carefully studying its label. This eliminates the likelihood of acquiring counterfeit or "burned" alcohol. Below we will consider several ways to separate the product according to quality indicators.

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2 Qualitative indicators

The technology for the production of this drink includes the need for aging. The minimum aging period is 1 year. This is considered sufficient. If the rum does not have an aging (it is not indicated on the label), then most likely it is a low-quality drink (or a fake). Some varieties (primarily dark ones) have a maturation period of 3-4 years, some 5 years. Rum aged 7 years is considered elite. They can be conditionally divided into:

1. Rum aged 1 year. Any white rum should have this aging.
2. Dark rum and high-quality white rum have aged 3-5 years.
3. Excerpt for more than 7 years - elite and collection varieties.

Elite collectible rum

The next criterion that is looked at when buying a drink is its strength. It should be said in advance that choosing a drink by strength should be solely according to your preference. The fact is that different countries have different standards for this alcoholic product. So in the countries of Latin America (Nicaragua, Venezuela, Colombia, etc.) rum is considered a drink with a strength of 50 degrees. In the northern Caribbean islands, the strength of the drink should be at least 40 degrees, and in the southern Caribbean islands - 35-37 degrees.

The most important inscription on the label is “Rum Agricole”. This inscription indicates that the rum is made from natural ingredients using classical technology. Below are the types and requirements.

3 What kind of rum is there?

There is often debate about which rum is the best: light or dark? There is no definite answer to this question, since each drink has its own merits.

So rum with a little aging (it is called young) can only be light. It is aged in special barrels or vats. If rum is aged in metal containers, then it is considered not very high quality. The best aging place is a wooden (oak) barrel, in which certain types of wine were previously aged. The strength of the resulting drink will be 35-45 degrees. It has a mild taste with a mild taste of alcohol and additives. The color of the drink can range from clear to golden.

Rum aging in barrels

Rum aged for at least 3 years is considered old. The strength of this drink is 40-47 degrees. It has a delicate and refined taste. The color is usually golden to black. Aromatic drinks are used to blend various rums, they are widely used in the confectionery industry and have a strength of 25-35 degrees. The drink has a mild taste with many aromas.

Various flavored varieties of this alcohol. Usually, in the production of rum, fruits, spices, etc. are added. Tropical fruits and spices are mainly used.

Various options for cocktails. It can be both light drinks (up to 40 degrees) and strong (about 70 degrees). They are almost never drunk in their pure form. Each company has different variations of this drink. Some firms produce rum "light" for women, the strength of which often does not exceed 30 degrees. Below are a few popular brands of rum.

4 Manufacturing companies

Rum production is most widespread in the Caribbean - Cuba, Barbados, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, etc. The most famous brands include Bacardi, Captain Morgan (both from the Purto Rican Republic), Elexir de Cuba and Havana Club - classic Cuban rum, etc. It is possible to list manufacturers for a long time, because there are many of them.

Classic "Havana Club"

If there is no experience of using this drink, then it is recommended to start with the Bacardi company, whose products have a very refined taste and high quality.