The Unlimited World of Rum

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The Unlimited World of Rum 

Many rum critics point to the lack of regulation in the rum industry (aging, congener level,  nomenclature, etc.) as one of its downfalls and weaknesses but, at the same time, this flexibility is used by most (and abused by some) to create a plethora of products that appeal to a very wide segment of the drinking population.

Gift-buying season can bring with it a sense of stress, especially when a rum drinker wants to buy a special gift for a Bourbon or Brandy drinker, for example. Those decisions are often relegated to the recommendations from liquor-store floor sales people who may be receiving incentives from the brands themselves. Why not, then, stay in the rum category and try to select a rum from within the ranks?

Here is a quick guide for selecting rums based on the recipient’s choice of liquor:

• Bourbon: try an aged Agricole Rhum, the odds will be in your favor, since both Bourbon and Rhum Agricole have similar congener levels and, if you select a particularly well-aged rhum, you’ll be sure to score a hit.

• Un-Aged (White or Silver) Tequila: try a traditional Cachaça or a white (Blanc) Rhum Agricole. • Aged Tequila: Aged American Craft rum or Jamaican Aged rum should do the trick (Appleton is the highest selling imported rum in Mexico for a reason).

• Vodka: Low congener rum from Puerto Rico, Cuba or USVI should make any vodka drinker feel right at home.

• Brandy: sweet, Spanish-style rums with Sherry or Port finishes will be great here.

The above list is not comprehensive by design. It is intended to be a starting point so that both the person buying the gift and the one receiving it can further explore the world of rum.

Even if regulations are not adopted globally, we can still bring order into the rum industry by understanding the differences between the styles and distillation methods. Let us all do our part by staying in our category and by teaching others about its full range.

Cheers,

Luis Ayala, Editor and Publisher