Rum & Spirit Drink
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Drankenshopper Kaartspel
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Drankenshopper Kaartspel
In stock
Drankenshopper is not a bottle, but a card game built around the atmosphere of a drinks auction. Players bid, negotiate, trade and bluff in the hope of taking home the most impressive collections, while opponents may be quietly working on plans of their own.
One of its strengths is the way the game can be scaled to the group. In the simplest version, you play only with the bottle and money cards, turning it into an easy-going buying and trading game with minimal rules. For a fuller game, the role and chance cards add extra tension and strategy, especially with 4 to 5 players.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this sits nicely alongside the drinks themselves: a game for adults who enjoy both tabletop play and the world of spirits. The 40 playing cards combine clear (…)Hampden 8 Years Incl. Box
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Hampden 8 Years Incl. Box
In stock
Hampden 8 Years is a Jamaican rum from Hampden Estate, made from molasses and distilled in pot stills. It has a clearly defined personality: fruit and spice are the main threads, with a style that feels more expressive than softly sweet.
Eight years of ageing in bourbon barrels adds a measured wood influence, supporting the rum rather than taking it over. At 46% alcohol, it has enough strength to carry its character with confidence.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, Hampden 8 Years is the kind of rum we like to introduce to customers looking for a Jamaican bottle with real presence. The combination of pot still distillation, Jamaican origin and stated age gives it a direct, characterful appeal.
The flavour profile is led by fruit and spice, with the (…)Lazy Dodo
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Lazy Dodo
In stock
Lazy Dodo by New Grove is a Mauritian rum made from molasses, with a character that leans clearly towards fruit. Distilled in a traditional column style, it presents a clean and approachable side of Mauritius rum without feeling anonymous.
Maturation in bourbon barrels adds a gentle wood note and a touch of spice, while the fruity side remains the main impression. At 40% alcohol, Lazy Dodo stays easy to enjoy, more about aromatic smoothness and charm than weight or force.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum that fits well for customers looking for a friendly introduction to New Grove and to rum from Mauritius. It has enough character to be interesting, while keeping a relaxed and welcoming style.
Additional information about the (…)Planteray Barbados XO (Planteray Blend) Incl. Box
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Planteray Barbados XO (Planteray Blend) Incl. Box
| 1 review
In stockPlanteray Barbados XO is a Barbados rum with a celebratory origin. It was first created as a tribute to master blender Alexandre Gabriel, marking his twentieth year in that role. The idea behind the blend is clear: carefully selected aged rums from Barbados, brought together in a polished XO style with depth, softness and aromatic richness.
The rums all come from the West Indies Rum Distillery in Barbados. They are made from molasses, fermented for 3 to 5 days, and distilled using a combination of pot still and column still. Maturation takes place in several cask types, including white oak, bourbon casks and Ferrand cognac casks, with different levels of toasting. The rums in the blend range from 12 to 20 years old and combine tropical and continental ageing.
Black Tot Rum
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Black Tot Rum
In stock
Black Tot Rum is a molasses-based rum with a clear sense of presence. Bottled at 46.2%, it carries a little more weight than many standard rums, while its identity is not built around an age statement. The use of pot still and column distillation points to a layered style, with spice and fruit taking the lead and a gentle bourbon cask wood influence sitting behind them.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, Black Tot is the kind of rum we would reach for when someone wants flavour and structure without moving into an overly sweet style. It has enough character to be enjoyed neat, while remaining approachable in the glass.
Additional information about the brand can be found at https://blacktot.com/
The flavour profile is led by clear fruitiness and a (…)Hampden Fire Overproof
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Hampden Fire Overproof
| 2 reviews
In stockHampden Fire Overproof is a Jamaican rum with a very clear sense of direction. At 63% ABV and bottled in an overproof style, it is built around power, presence and the direct character of pot still distillation.
Made from molasses and carrying no age statement, it keeps the focus firmly on the distillate rather than on a maturation story. The profile points towards a vivid mix of fruit and spice, with lighter floral and vegetal touches in the background, while wood and sweetness do not define the style.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum we place in front of customers who are specifically looking for Jamaican intensity at higher strength. Hampden Fire Overproof feels energetic and assertive, with enough aromatic lift to make it more than just a (…)Blackwell
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Blackwell
In stock
Blackwell is a Jamaican molasses rum bottled at 40%. In the rum selection at Drankenshop Broekmans, it stands out as a straightforward Jamaican expression built around a fruit-led and sweeter profile, with wood and spice playing a quieter supporting role.
Maturation in bourbon barrels gives the rum its frame, while the absence of an age statement keeps the focus on the blend itself rather than on a number on the label. It is a rum to approach for its immediate character: Jamaica in origin, rounded in style, and not overly dominated by oak.
With only the last bottles remaining, this is one to consider while it is still part of our range. Additional information about the brand can be found at https://www.blackwellrum.com/
Blackwell's flavour (…)Renegade Dunfermline Column 50
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Renegade Dunfermline Column 50
In stock
Renegade Dunfermline Column 50 is a Grenadian rum made from sugar cane juice rather than molasses. That matters, because it places the focus less on sweetness or wood influence and more on the spirit itself.
The name points to Dunfermline and to traditional column distillation, bottled at 50% ABV. At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum we would introduce to someone curious about sugar cane juice rum with a clearer, less oak-led profile.
With 4,368 bottles produced and the last bottles now available, this release also has a more finite feel than a permanent house expression. It has found its audience among drinkers looking for rum with a specific origin and a distinct production identity.
More information about Renegade can be found (…)Renegade Dunfermline Pot
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Renegade Dunfermline Pot
In stock
Renegade Dunfermline Pot is a Grenadian rum built around sugar cane juice and pot still distillation. Bottled at 50%, it has a confident presence, with the focus placed on style and origin rather than an age statement.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum that stands out because it feels clearly defined. Only 3796 bottles were released, and with the last bottles now in circulation, it is not a rum that will remain endlessly available.
Its profile points away from heavy wood influence and towards a more aromatic expression. Floral and fruity notes take the lead, with a lighter touch of spice and a vegetal undertone. For drinkers exploring rum through raw material and distillation, this Renegade offers a focused Grenada perspective.
Bush Rum Passion & Guava
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Bush Rum Passion & Guava
In stock
Bush Rum Passion & Guava is a British rum with a clearly tropical direction. Passion fruit and guava are at the heart of its identity, giving it an aromatic, exotic style from the very first impression.
What gives it more interest than simple sweetness is the contrast in the flavour profile: guava brings a soft fruity sweetness, passion fruit adds a sharper lift, and a spiced base gives the rum a little warmth underneath. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a rum for people looking for something bright, fruit-driven and refreshing in character.
At 37.5% alcohol, Bush Rum Passion & Guava remains firmly within the rum category, while its personality is shaped by tropical fruit and a fresh finish. More information about the brand can be found at (…)Bar Ran Funky Juice
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Bar Ran Funky Juice
Not available for shipping
Bar Ran Funky Juice is a rum from 1423 Rum World Class with a name that immediately sets the tone. Its origin is listed as Mix, so the focus is less on a single country of production and more on the style and personality of the bottling.
At 48% alcohol, it carries more presence than many standard-strength rums. That extra weight suits the Funky Juice name well: direct, informal and clearly not trying to present itself as a quiet, traditional label.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottles like this are appreciated for bringing a more individual note to the rum selection. With only the last bottles remaining, it is also a release that is gradually becoming harder to come by.
No specific tasting notes are provided for Bar Ran Funky Juice. What can be (…)Beenleigh 2007 13y Barc (Blackadder Rum)
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Beenleigh 2007 13y Barc (Blackadder Rum)
On request only
Beenleigh 2007 13y Barc is an Australian rum with a very direct point of interest: it is a single cask Blackadder bottling, drawn from one hogshead and released at its natural cask strength of 65.1%.
The dates matter here. Distilled in 2007 and bottled in 2020, this rum spent 13 years maturing before being selected for the Blackadder Rum range. Rather than presenting a broad house style, it gives a focused look at one individual cask.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottles like this are appreciated for their clarity of origin and their independent bottler character. With only the last bottles remaining, this release has the feel of a rum that is becoming increasingly hard to revisit.
Bottled at 65.1% cask strength, this rum is presented in an (…)Black Tot Master Blenders Reserve 2023
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Black Tot Master Blenders Reserve 2023
In stock
Black Tot Master Blenders Reserve 2023 looks back to a lost blending tradition: the perpetual rum blend of the British Navy, maintained from the early 1800s until Black Tot Day in 1970. Black Tot revived that idea in 2020 with the first Master Blender's Reserve, and the 2023 edition was created to sit closer to the original Navy rum style.
For this release, Master Blender Oliver Chilton added his own touch with rum from Grenada, distilled in 1993. That element was selected to bring depth and to underline the rich orange notes in the blend. Bottled at 54.5% cask strength, it combines pot still and column rum, giving a firm, spicy and wood-influenced profile with a measured fruit presence.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum we like to present as (…)Cadenhead's Classic Rum
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Cadenhead's Classic Rum
In stock
Cadenhead's Classic Rum is a molasses-based rum bottled at 50% alcohol. Rather than focusing on an age statement, it presents itself through strength, clarity and a straightforward rum character.
The combination of pot still and column distillation is one of the key points here. It gives the rum a profile where fruit and spice are clearly present, while sweetness, wood influence and a light floral side play a more supporting role.
Maturation in bourbon cask gives the rum a recognisable frame, without turning it into a heavily wood-driven style. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a good fit for customers looking for a more robust Cadenhead's rum with a clear, direct personality.
The flavour profile centres on clear fruit and spice. (…)Dada Chapel Brhum Small Batch (1) For The Nectar
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Dada Chapel Brhum Small Batch (1) For The Nectar
In stock
Dada Chapel Brhum Small Batch (1) For The Nectar is a Belgian rum where the limited nature of the release is part of its appeal. It is bottled as a single cask at 50% alcohol, giving it the feel of a clearly defined cask selection rather than a broad, ongoing release.
The Small Batch (1) For The Nectar wording gives this bottling its own specific identity. At Drankenshop Broekmans, releases like this stand out because they bring together origin, limited availability and bottling strength in a very direct way: the focus is on one individual cask and the character captured from it.
With only the last bottles remaining, this is best understood as a finite Belgian rum release. It is a bottle for those who enjoy discovering a particular one-off selection, built (…)Diamond 2012 12y (Cadenhead)
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Diamond 2012 12y (Cadenhead)
On request only
Diamond 2012 12y is a Guyanese rum bottled by Cadenhead's with the clear, transparent spirit of the Dated Distillations range. Rather than leaning on vague storytelling, it gives you the essentials straight away: distilled in 2012, matured for 12 years and presented with a strong focus on provenance.
Cadenhead's treats these rums with the same respect for authenticity as its whisky bottlings. The approach avoids chill filtration and added colouring, keeping the rum close to its natural cask character. The Bourbon Barrel maturation gives structure, while the profile remains strongly fruit-led, supported by sweetness, gentle spice and a light woody touch.
At 55%, this is a rum with real intensity in the glass. Within the selection at Drankenshop Broekmans, it (…)Dictador 20y
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Dictador 20y
In stock
Dictador 20y is a Colombian rum carrying a twenty-year age statement and made using the solera system. That gives it a different perspective from a single-vintage release: the emphasis is on continuity, layered maturation and the house style Dictador wants to express in this 20-year-old bottling.
Its use of pot still and column distillation is part of what shapes the rum's identity. Rather than focusing on one narrow aspect, the profile brings together clear wood influence, spice and fruit, while sweetness remains more of a supporting element.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of mature Colombian rum we place in front of customers looking for depth without an overly sweet impression. The 40% strength keeps it approachable, while the age statement and (…)English Harbour 5y
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English Harbour 5y
In stock
English Harbour 5y is a molasses-based rum from Antigua, aged for five years and bottled at 40%. It is made in a traditional column style and matured in bourbon barrels, giving it a clear, warm and approachable profile without making it feel flat or anonymous.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum we would introduce to someone looking for fruit, vanilla and caramel, but with enough wood and spice to keep the glass engaging. The five years of ageing bring structure, while the fruit-led side of the rum remains very much present.
What makes English Harbour 5y particularly pleasant is that the cask influence supports rather than dominates. You get the impression of ripe and dried fruit, gentle sweetness, toasted nut tones and a warm spiced edge, all (…)English Harbour Port Finish Incl. Box
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English Harbour Port Finish Incl. Box
In stock
English Harbour Port Finish is an Antiguan molasses rum whose name already points to its main point of interest: a port finish that places the fruitier side of the rum in the foreground.
Rather than presenting itself as heavy or overly sweet, it leans into fruit, supported by gentle touches of wood, spice, sweetness and a faint floral lift. The traditional column distillation gives the rum a clear structure, keeping the style defined while allowing the finishing influence to add extra roundness.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum we would place in front of someone looking for an Antigua rum with a little more fruity depth and presence. At 46% alcohol, it has enough strength to be explored neat without losing its composed character.
English Harbour Reserve 10y Incl. Box
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English Harbour Reserve 10y Incl. Box
In stock
English Harbour Reserve 10y is an Antigua rum made from molasses and distilled in a traditional column still. With ten years of ageing in bourbon barrels, it carries a sense of maturity while staying approachable at 40% ABV.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this bottle stands out for the way its fruit-driven side meets a clear spiced character. The wood influence is present, but it does not dominate; it supports the rum's depth rather than pushing it into a heavy style.
It is a good choice for anyone exploring aged Caribbean rum with a composed, mature feel: gently sweet, lightly floral, and built around fruit and spice rather than sheer power.
The flavour profile centres on fruit and spice, supported by a restrained sweetness. A gentle wood note adds (…)Espero Reserva Exclusiva
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Espero Reserva Exclusiva
Temporarily sold out
Expected: 01/11/2026Espero Reserva Exclusiva is a rum from the Dominican Republic, and that origin is the clearest starting point for understanding the bottle. It places the rum firmly within the Caribbean world, with the name Reserva Exclusiva giving it a more considered, composed presentation.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, a bottle like this is best introduced to customers who choose rum with attention to origin and brand rather than looking only at a flavour label. The available information is concise, but it still gives the product a clear identity: Espero, Dominican Republic, Reserva Exclusiva.
Bottled at 40% alcohol, it sits at a familiar strength for rum. As no detailed tasting notes are provided, we do not attach unsupported aromas or flavours to it; instead, we present it (…)Fiji Spd 2009 12y Tasttoe (The Whisky Jury - For Tasttoe)
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Fiji Spd 2009 12y Tasttoe (The Whisky Jury - For Tasttoe)
In stock
Fiji Spd 2009 12 Years by The Whisky Jury is a tightly focused rum release rather than a broad, ongoing expression. Distilled in September 2009 and bottled in May 2022, it captures twelve years of maturation from one individual cask.
Drawn from a refill barrel and bottled at cask strength, it comes in at 58.4% ABV. Only 190 bottles were filled, and at Drankenshop Broekmans this now belongs to the final bottles available, giving the release a naturally limited feel without needing to dress it up.
The For TasTToe bottling detail gives this edition an extra point of identity within The Whisky Jury's range. It is a bottle for drinkers who enjoy exploring rum through small releases, single casks and precise snapshots rather than standardised house styles.
Five Hundred Cuts Cherry & Dark Chocolate (Damaged: Label dirty, damaged or missing)
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Five Hundred Cuts Cherry & Dark Chocolate (Damaged: Label dirty, damaged or missing)
Very last one in stock!
Five Hundred Cuts Cherry & Dark Chocolate is a(n) rum from Great Britain by the brand Brewdog. It is one of the many references you can currently buy online at Drankenshop Broekmans.
IMPORTANT: This rum from Brewdog will never return once it is sold out. If you want to be sure that this Brewdog will shine in your bar cabinet, don't wait too long to order!
Our offer can sometimes be quite overwhelming. It is therefore good to know that this Five Hundred Cuts Cherry & Dark Chocolate has been in our collection of rum runners for quite some time, and is proving to be very popular with other customers. With this rum, you can't go wrong!
It is a version of 70 cl and has an alcohol content of 40%.
Visit the website to discover (…)Your benefit: € 4,98 / 15%
Five Hundred Cuts Coconut & Vanilla
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Five Hundred Cuts Coconut & Vanilla
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Five Hundred Cuts Coconut & Vanilla is a Brewdog rum from Great Britain, bottled at 40%. The name tells you where the focus lies: coconut and vanilla shape the identity of this release and give it a clear, recognisable direction within the rum category.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as the kind of bottle that speaks through its flavour idea rather than through complicated detail. Coconut and vanilla make the style easy to understand, while the 40% strength keeps it firmly in the world of proper spirits.
It is also listed among the last bottles, so availability is now limited. For anyone specifically looking for this Five Hundred Cuts variant, that makes the timing worth noting.
Additional information about the brand can be found at (…)
Frequently asked questions
Answers to most frequently asked questions about rum
What is rum?
Rum is a liquor made from sugar cane. It can be made via molasses (the syrupy by-product of sugar production) or via fresh sugarcane juice. After fermentation and distillation, you have the base, which is then often aged in wooden barrels. As simple as it sounds, the result is versatile: from light and fresh to deep and complex.
Europe has imposed rules and distinguishes between "rum" and "spirit drink". A drink can only be called rum if it:
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is made from sugar cane products
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is fermented and distilled
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has a maximum alcohol content of 96% at distillation
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contains at least 37.5% alcohol at bottling
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contains no flavourings or large quantities of sugar
If producers do use extra flavourings, lots of sugar or other additives, it legally becomes "spirit drink" or "spirituose" instead of rum.
What is the difference between rum and spirit drink?
In Europe, this difference has come about mainly because of stricter and clearer rules around protected drink categories. "Rum" is not a non-committal marketing term in the EU, but a legally defined category. If a product does not exactly meet that definition, it can no longer officially be called rum and must be sold as a "spirit drink", for example.
The main rules are in the European geographical indications and spirit legislation, now under Regulation (EU) 2019/787.
The heart of the problem usually lies in one of these points:
- Added flavourings
Real rum may not simply be flavoured with, say, vanilla, chocolate or other distinct flavourings if it is still to be called "rum". Once the additives fall outside the permissible limits, it legally becomes a "spirit drink". - Added sugar or sweeteners
There are limits on how much sugar or sweetening can be added without losing the "rum" category. Some producers used to add relatively large amounts of sugar to make the drink softer or fuller. Stricter controls required those products to be relabelled. - Alcohol from other raw materials
Rum must come from sugar cane products such as molasses or sugar cane juice. If neutral alcohol of other origin is added (e.g. grain alcohol), the product falls outside the definition. - Production method or strength
Minimum alcohol percentages and production methods are also set by law.
Especially in recent years, enforcement has become stricter. As a result, you see that some brands that were sold as rum for years suddenly got "spirit drink", "spiced spirit drink" or "rum-based spirit drink" on the label.
A well-known example are certain "spiced rums". Many consumers still call them rum, but legally some of them cannot be called rum in Europe because they are too strongly flavoured or sweetened.
That does not necessarily mean the quality is worse - just that the product no longer fits within the strict EU definition of rum. Some enthusiasts actually find these stricter rules positive, as it makes it clearer what is pure rum and what is a flavoured variety.
Which rum is tasty?
The question "which rum is good?" seems simple, but the answer depends entirely on personal taste. Instead of immediately reaching for specific bottles, it makes more sense to first consider what you would like to drink. Do you like soft, sweet flavours like vanilla, caramel and honey, or do you rather prefer fresh and light notes like citrus and coconut? Maybe you just go for something more powerful with wood, spices and cocoa, or even a more pronounced, funky style with ripe fruit and an almost wild intensity. After all, rum is one of the most diverse spirits, and "tasty" means something different to everyone.
In addition, the moment also plays a role. A light, fresh rum comes into its own in cocktails and on hot days, while a richer, fuller rum is better suited to drinking on its own or as a digestif. There are also styles that sit somewhere in between: accessible enough for mixed drinks, but with enough character to appreciate solo as well.
By approaching the question in this way, you will not only discover what you yourself find a tasty rum, but you will also eventually begin to better understand why that rum suits you.
What types of rum are there?
The best-known subdivisions are white, gold and dark. White rum is bright, fresh and perfect for cocktails like mojito or daiquiri. Golden rum has a bit more body thanks to a short maturation. Dark rum matures longer and develops rich, spicy notes that you can safely drink pure. And then there is spiced rum, where spices like vanilla or cinnamon give it an extra sweet twist.
Broadly speaking, you can distinguish the following styles:
- White rum: clear and light in flavour
- Gold rum: golden, richer flavour than white rum with notes of caramel and vanilla
- Dark rum: dark, deep in colour, with rich and complex flavours such as molasses, chocolate and spices
- Spiced rum: flavoured with spices such as cinnamon, cloves and vanilla
- Overproof rum: high alcohol content, often above 50%
- Flavored rum: Added flavours such as coconut, pineapple or mango
What is English-style rum?
This rum is known for its full, rich and complex flavours. The English-style rum often has notes of molasses, caramel, fruit and spices.
This style rum is made from molasses and is often distilled in pot stills, resulting in a robust flavour profile. According to American Chemical Society, rums from pot stills contain more esters and higher alcohols, which contribute to the complex flavour.
Countries where the specific style of rum is traditionally produced include Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana and Trinidad. Well-known brands of English-style rums include Appleton Estate, Mount Gay and El Dorado.
What is Spanish-style rum?
Spanish-style rum ("Ron") is lighter and sweeter, with a smooth and refined taste. These rums often have notes of vanilla, caramel and tropical fruit.
It is made from molasses and often distilled in column stills, resulting in a lighter, purer rum. Column stills allow for more efficient distillation, giving the rum a more consistent character. Furthermore, these rums are often aged in a so-called Solera system.
Countries where the specific style of rum is traditionally produced: Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Venezuela, brands like Bacardi, Ron Zacapa and Havana Club probably sound familiar.
What is Rhum Agricole (French style)?
French-style rum has an earthy, grassy and sometimes floral flavour. It is often complex and can range from light and fresh to rich and spicy. It is a real "love it or hate it" type of rum: some swear by it and others revile it.
This rum is made from freshly squeezed sugarcane juice and usually distilled in pot stills. Production often follows strict standards, such as the AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) in Martinique, ensuring consistent and high-quality production.
Countries where this particular style of rum is traditionally produced: Martinique, Guadeloupe and Haiti. Well-known brands include Rhum Clément, Rhum JM and Barbancourt.
What do VS, VSOP and XO mean?
Unlike with cognac, these designations are not regulated within rum. These designations in rums therefore often say more about quality or style, but do not necessarily refer to an explicit (minimum) age of the spirit in the bottle.
How strong is rum?
Most rums are around 37.5% to 40% alcohol. But beware: there are also so-called overproof rums that easily exceed 60%. These will immediately spice up your cocktail - or provide a solid punch when drunk straight.
What is the difference between rum, cachaça and rhum agricole?
It's all in the base. Rum is usually made from molasses, while cachaça (from Brazil) and rhum agricole (from the French Caribbean) always come from fresh sugarcane juice. The result? Agricole and cachaça often have a somewhat grassy, spicy touch, while rum tends to be rounder and softer.
What rum do you use for cocktails?
For fresh mixed drinks such as a mojito or daiquiri, it is best to choose a light white rum. Tiki cocktails or a Dark 'n Stormy, on the other hand, get more depth from a dark or spicy rum. In short: your choice of rum makes all the difference in your glass.
Which rums can you drink pure?
Aged rums from Barbados, Jamaica or the Dominican Republic, for example, are often smooth, complex and ideal to enjoy pure. They can easily compete with a good whisky or cognac in terms of depth.
How does rum taste compared to whisky or brandy?
Rum tends to be sweeter and rounder thanks to the sugar cane. Whisky can be malty, spicy or smoky, while brandy is more likely to have fruity, wine-like notes. A matter of taste, but rum often has a more tropical character.
What is the maturation process for rum?
Rum usually matures in ex-bourbon barrels. Due to the warm climate in the Caribbean, this is faster than for whisky in Scotland. As a result, an 8-year-old rum can already taste surprisingly intense.
What is the difference between pot still rum and column still rum?
- Pot still-rum is rich, powerful and complex because it is distilled in smaller batches.
- Column still-rum is lighter and cleaner, ideal for blending.
Many brands combine both styles to get a balanced profile.
What does "solera" or "solera system rum" mean on a rum bottle?
Solera System rum refers to a maturation method where young and old rums flow together. In a Solera System, barrels of different ages are stacked on top of each other, with the oldest rum sitting at the bottom. Bottles are filled from these lower barrels, and then the barrel is replenished with rum from the row above, and so on. The result is a blend of quite a few different ages that results in a flavourful, complex final product that is still consistent in quality, style and recognisability. Because the oldest barrels at the bottom are always diluted with younger rums, the final product in a properly functioning Solera system, after decades of production, basically still contains traces of the very first, oldest rum the process ever started with.
The year number on the bottle then often refers to the oldest rum in the blend, not the average age.
Is rum always made from sugar cane?
Yes, that is a must. Whether it is molasses or sugarcane juice, rum must always come from sugarcane. Other sugars (beet, palm, etc.) are officially outside the definition.
The base for a rum can usually be reduced to one of the following groups:
- Molasses (molasses, syrup): Molasses is fermented and distilled, after which the rum can be aged in barrels. Molasses is a by-product of sugar production and contains many sugars that are converted into alcohol and complex flavourings during fermentation.
- Suger Cane Juice : This rum is known for its natural, unadulterated taste of sugar cane. In this rum, the juice is directly fermented and then distilled.
- Spiced rum: Base rum to which spices and sometimes additional flavours are added during or after the distillation process.
- Sugar Cane Syrup: Sugar cane syrup is fermented and distilled. The use of sugar cane syrup gives the rum a more concentrated and pure sugar cane flavour.
- Sugar Cane Honey: This substance, also known as "miel de caña" in Spanish, is a thick, syrupy liquid obtained by boiling the juice of sugar cane until it thickens, but before it crystallises into sugar. This method is less common and results in a rum with a unique, rich flavour.
- Arranged rum: Base rum is mixed with various flavourings and left to macerate for some time. This gives the rum a distinct and often sweet profile.
What is molasses?
Molasses is a syrupy by-product of sugar refining. It is created when sugar cane or sugar beet is processed to produce sugar.
What is the difference between white and dark rum?
The difference between white and dark rums is mainly in the production methods and ageing times, resulting in different flavours, colours and uses. White rum is clear and translucent, has a mild and light flavour with subtle notes, and is often aged for a shorter time than dark rum, usually in stainless steel tanks or neutral barrels to preserve its colour. This rum type is popular in cocktails such as mojitos and daiquiris, where a subtle rum flavour is desired without affecting the colour of the drink.
Dark rum, on the other hand, is dark brown to almost black in colour, with a rich and full-bodied flavour that contains complex notes of caramel, vanilla and sometimes spices. This rum is aged longer in oak barrels, which contributes to its dark colour and rich flavour. Sometimes caramel is also added for extra colour and flavour. Dark rum is often used in cocktails where a stronger rum flavour is desired, such as in a rum old fashioned, or drunk pure as a sipping rum.
What is the history of rum?
Rum was first produced in the Caribbean in the 17th century, with the first documented production in Barbados around 1650. Production quickly spread to North America, especially to the colonies in New England, where rum became an important trade product.
Rum played a crucial role in the transatlantic slave trade, also known as the Triangular Trade. Slaves from Africa were brought to the Caribbean to work on sugar cane plantations, while sugar and rum were shipped to Europe and North America. Locals and workers often had access to the rum produced locally, making it a popular drink among the lower social classes. This gave rum a negative connotation and it was seen as the drink for the poor. Today, this image has completely changed is rum is a versatile and popular drink.
Why is rum so strongly associated with pirates?
In the 17th and 18th centuries, rum was the means of payment and exchange in the Caribbean. Sailors often received a ration of rum as part of their wages. No wonder pirates and rum have been inextricably linked ever since.
Where can I buy rum?
Basic rums like a brown Havana Club can be found in any shop or supermarket these days, but there is so much more! With over 1,000 rums in our range, Drankenshop Broekmans is the right place for all your rum needs, no matter what colour, flavour, profile, brand, country or price range you are looking for.
