Rum has been around for centuries now and has a rich history attached to it. From being consumed by sailors and seamen during the colonial days to securing a place at top bars, this spirit has come a long way. It’s versatile and can be used in almost any cocktail or mixed drink. Each of its types has a unique flavor profile that suits different kinds of palates. Through our guide to different types of rum, we hope you find the best one for you!
7 Different Types Of Rum
- White Rum
- Dark Rum
- Gold Rum
- Aged Rum
- Spiced Rum
- Overproof Rum
- Rhum Agricole
1. White Rum
Are you a Mojito fan? Then you sure have great taste! Well, most of its recipes have white rum as the base ingredient. It’s also known as light or silver rum and is light in both its color and flavor. White rum generally has a subtle sweetness with a lighter feel. Most aged white rums are known for their flavors of vanilla and tannin.
White rum is made from sugarcane or molasses which gives the spirit its light amber color. The clear color of this type of rum comes from the filtration process which is done using charcoal. Most distillers mature white rums for less than a year before bottling and selling them.
Best White Rum Cocktails: Daiquiri, Mai Tai, and Piña Colada.
Also Read: A Guide To The Best Food Pairings With Rum
2. Dark Rum
Dark or black rum is usually matured in charred oak barrels. Ever wondered why this type of rum tastes stronger than most other styles? Well, its making process requires a longer fermentation process. This allows the rum to extract more flavors from the base ingredients like sugarcane or molasses.
The rich flavors of this rum make it a great choice for various cocktails. Its color ranges from deep amber to black. Some dark rums are flavored with ingredients like spices like cloves, vanilla, and nutmeg.
Best Dark Rum Cocktails: Dark and Stormy Cocktail, Hurricane, Zombie, and Hot Buttered Rum.
Also Read: 7 Love Cocktails To Make This Valentine’s Day
3. Gold Rum
Gold Rum, also known as Pale Rum, is medium-bodied and comes in amber or golden hue colors. This type of rum is amber-colored and is usually aged for a minimum of three years. Depending on the type of barrels used for the maturation process, gold rum has flavors of vanilla, almond, citrus, caramel, and coconut.
Compared to dark and white rum, this rum is slightly smooth in texture. Gold rum can be enjoyed in cocktails, as a neat drink, or on the rocks. Love those rum cakes you buy for Christmas from bakeries? They are usually made using this delicious rum!
Best Gold Rum Cocktails: Honeysuckle Daiquiri, Bermuda Rum Swizzle, and Rum Sour.
Also Read: Top Things To Remember When Making Cocktails
4. Premium Aged Rum
Compared to other regular rums, premium-aged rum has a much more intense flavor. Their superior flavor profile comes from the maturation process that takes place in wooden barrels for two years or more. When this spirit interacts with the wood during the aging process, we get the unique flavors of this rum. It’s smooth and rich and has notes of vanilla, dried fruits, and cinnamon.
As you can guess, such a long aging process leads to the loss of some rum and this adds to its cost. There are several cocktail recipes that demand the inclusion of premium aged rum. The strong and distinctive color of this type of rum is such that it can be enjoyed without any mixer.
Best Aged Rum Cocktails: Rum Punch and Cuba Libre.
Also Read: 6 Spicy Cocktails To Try Right Now
5. Spiced Rum
The different kinds of flavors and spices that are added to rum give it a wide range of interesting flavors. Spiced Rum is made by adding spices like roots of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. There are certain rum brands that also add other flavoring agents like rosemary, orange, vanilla, and caramel. All of these flavors add to the natural butterscotch tone of the rum.
This type of rum is usually darker in color and is known to be sweet in taste. The sweetness comes from sugar or molasses that are added during the fermentation process. It tastes great when served over some ice. Otherwise, you can choose to drink it as the sailors did back in the day, topped with ginger beer.
Best Spiced Rum Cocktails: Painkiller, Rum Sidecar, and Pineapple Ginger Mojito.
6. Overproof Rum
Overproof rums are distilled at a high proof and so, have a higher concentration of alcohol is known as overproof rums. This type of rum has an ABV of 50% or above. Compared to its counterparts, overproof rum is the most popular in making cocktails. The high alcohol content of this rum helps retain the flavor and potency of a cocktail.
To get that extra kick in your drink, you can use it in any of your favorite rum cocktails. Some people prefer having this rum over ice. The high alcohol concentration in this spirit causes rapid cooling of both the tongue and the lips. As opposed to standard rum, overproof rum has a much more intense flavor. The tasting notes include hints of vanilla, tropical fruit, walnuts, and molasses.
Best Overproof Rum Cocktails: Caribbean Sazerac, Reggae Rum Punch, and Jamaican Rum Punch.
Also Read: Affordable Tequila Brands In India
7. Rhum Agricole
This rum is made using sugarcane juice instead of molasses and is also known as ‘rhum blanc’ or ‘rhum brut’. Martinique and Guadeloupe are two French Islands where this type of rum is produced. The making of Rhum Agricole involves extracting the juice from the sugarcane stalks which are first cut and then pressed.
Many distillers let this spirit rest in casks for an extended amount of time. This is what gives the rum its smooth character and flavor. Rhum Agricole is matured for a shorter period of time compared to other types of rum. That is how the rum gets its light color. Although it’s not that widely produced, its popularity has been increasing in recent years. It has tasting notes of thyme, rosemary, banana, pineapple, mango, and sugarcane juice. The unique flavor profile of this spirit makes it a great choice for several rum cocktails.
Best Rhum Agricole Cocktails: Manhattan, Rum Old Fashioned, and Ti’ Punch.
Summing Up
That was our guide to different types of rum. These styles differ in taste as the process for making them is not always the same. Some people love to have neat drinks, so there are rums that suit their palate. Others may prefer this spirit in cocktails, so, there are certain styles that taste great in mixed drinks. It’s time you go to a liquor store near you and pick your favorite type of rum. Who knows, it may even make it to the top shelf of your home bar!
FAQs
What Are The 7 Types Of Rum?
The 7 types of rum are as follows:
- White Rum
- Dark Rum
- Gold Rum
- Aged Rum
- Spiced Rum
- Overproof Rum
- Rhum Agricole
What Are The 4 Types Of Rum?
Dark rum, light rum, aged rum, and spiced rum are the 4 most common types of rum.
Which Rum Is Good For Beginners?
Light rum and gold rum are both good choices for beginners. You can choose to have them neat, with ice, or in any of your favorite cocktails.
Which Rum Is Sweet In Taste?
McDowell’s Celebration rum is one of the many rums that is sweet in taste.
Which Rum Is Better White Or Gold?
White and gold rums both taste great in cocktails. While white rum is aged for a short period of time, gold rum is aged for a minimum of three years. That’s why both have a unique and distinct flavor profiles. Which one is better will depend entirely on your taste and preference.
What Is The Most Popular Rum In India?
Old Monk is one of the most popular rums in India.
Which Brand Of Rum Is The Best In India?
Old Monk, Captain Morgan, BACARDÍ, and McDowell’s are some of the best rum brands in India.
What Do You Mix Rum With?
You can mix rum with lemon juice, soda, pineapple juice, coca cola, ginger beer, or tonic water.
