Rum

Rum

Rum is once again on the rise – it has always been a hugely popular drinks category worldwide, but with the recent addition of new brands or newly relaunched older brands, the shelves of bars and retailers are once again making space for this fantastic tropical pour.

Made by fermenting and then distilling sugarcane or molasses, it originated in the Caribbean and quickly travelled the world. Like many spirits, it is often matured in oak casks and has developed a complexity of flavours and types within its category. There are several rum types, such as light, golden and dark, and each has its market leader and many young brands vying for attention.

Appleton Estate Rum, for example, is one of the older producers, but it has a brand new livery that suits the young market it is chasing. Established in Jamaica in the mid-1700s, it is owned by Wray & Nephew today. The Appleton Estate distils and bottles a wide range of age statements, including an eight-year-old and a 21-year-old release. Appleton Estate 21 is matured in Nassau Valley casks and is entirely distilled and matured on-site in Jamaica and bottled at 43%.

Diplomático is another long-established rum producer, and this time, from Venezuela.  Using sugar cane as their primary source, the rum is distilled in continuous and batch processes and then matured in oak.  With a wide range of light, golden and dark rums, it has taken a prestigious position within the world rum market.

Diplomático Mantuano is one of its younger bottles. At eight years of age, it has a remarkable complexity with lots of dried fruit, oak, vanilla and cinnamon notes. Bottled at 40%, it is a favourite among its fans.

Plantation hails from Barbados. One of the most popular brands, it has undergone a brand transformation in recent years and is now known as Planteray Rum. Under its original name, Plantation Barbados 20th Anniversary XO is a great bottle that blends rum of 12-20 years of age and also includes rum that has been matured in France as well as the major Barbados element.

Indeed, rum is produced anywhere that sugarcane is viable, but producers from other countries have also joined. In the far north of Europe and far from sugar cane fields, you’ll find Copeland Distillery in Northern Ireland. Said to be built on the history of pirates in this coastal region, it blends rum from Barbados with its own-made rum and matures in ex-bourbon and pinot noir barrels. Copeland Overproof is currently its leading rum release.