Rum & Spirit Drink
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Bacardi Spiced 1,5l
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Bacardi Spiced 1,5l
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Bacardi Spiced 1.5l is a spiced rum from Puerto Rico, bottled at 35%. The larger bottle size says a lot about its role: this is a rum made for occasions where the bottle is likely to be shared, while still keeping a clear spiced identity.
Its character is built around sweetness and spice, with a lighter fruity note sitting in support. The multicolumn distilling style points to a clean, modern rum base that lets the spiced profile take the lead.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a familiar name in spiced rum presented in a practical generous format. A straightforward choice when you want Bacardi Spiced in a bottle made to go a little further.
The flavour profile is clearly sweet and spiced, with fruit playing a lighter supporting role. (…)Bacardi White 1,5l
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Bacardi White 1,5l
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Bacardi White 1.5l is a white rum from Bacardi, listed with the Bahamas as its country of origin and bottled at 37.5% alcohol. The 1.5-litre size gives it a more generous presence than a standard bottle, making the format itself part of its appeal.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, it sits in the rum range as a familiar Bacardi bottling in a clear white style: straightforward, recognisable and easy to understand at a glance.
Additional information about the brand can be found at https://www.bacardilimited.com/
No detailed tasting notes are provided for Bacardi White 1.5l. The available information identifies it as a Bacardi white rum from the Bahamas, bottled at 37.5% alcohol.Beenleigh 2015 8y Mag 1,5l (Velier)
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Beenleigh 2015 8y Mag 1,5l (Velier)
Very last one in stock!
Beenleigh 2015 8y Mag 1.5l is an Australian molasses rum with a strong sense of place. It comes from Beenleigh, a distillery founded in 1884 in Queensland, and is made from molasses sourced from Australia's last privately owned mill. That background gives the bottle a story before the glass is even poured.
The rum is distilled using both columns and pot stills, then aged for 8 years in bourbon barrels. At 60% and bottled at cask strength, it keeps a firm, direct character rather than smoothing away its natural intensity. The 1.5 litre magnum format adds to its distinctive presence, especially as these are the last bottles.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this Velier bottling sits in the selection for drinkers who appreciate rum with origin, power and detail: (…)Captain Morgan Spice 1,5l
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Captain Morgan Spice 1,5l
In stock
Captain Morgan Spice 1.5l brings the familiar idea of spiced rum in a larger, more generous bottle. Its profile is built around clear spice and a sweeter side, with a light fruity touch in support, making the style easy to recognise from the first pour.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a practical bottle for anyone who wants a spiced rum in a larger format rather than a standard size. The 35% alcohol strength and multicolumn distilling style point to a smooth, straightforward expression where the spiced character takes the lead.
There is no age statement to frame the story here, and the emphasis is not on heavy wood influence. The focus is simply Captain Morgan Spice in a 1.5 litre format: generous, approachable and clearly centred on spice and (…)Diplomatico Reserva Double Magnum 3l
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Diplomatico Reserva Double Magnum 3l
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Diplomatico Reserva Double Magnum 3l is a bottle with presence before it is even opened. The three-litre format gives this Venezuelan rum a generous, celebratory feel, making it the kind of bottle that naturally belongs in moments of sharing.
The rum is made from molasses, bottled at 40%, and the available details point to traditional column distillation with oak cask influence. No age statement is declared, so the focus here is less on a number and more on the identity of the Reserva name in a striking large-format presentation.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a Diplomatico bottle where presentation matters as much as familiarity. It has the visual impact for a bar, a festive table or a generous gift, while staying rooted in the Venezuelan rum (…)Foursquare 2005 Velier 1,5l (Velier Elliott Erwitt)
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Foursquare 2005 Velier 1,5l (Velier Elliott Erwitt)
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Foursquare 2005 Velier 1.5l is a Barbados molasses rum with immediate presence, partly because of its magnum format and partly because of the names behind it. Bottled by Velier as part of the Elliott Erwitt series, it was distilled in 2005, aged for 16 years, and made using both pot still and column distillation.
Maturation in bourbon barrel and bottling at cask strength give this release a firm, uncompromising profile. At 61% alcohol, it is a powerful rum, with wood influence and fruit standing clearly at the centre, supported by lighter spicy and floral touches.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this bottle stands out through the combination of Foursquare, Velier, the 1.5-litre format and a limited outturn of 600 bottles. With the last bottles now indicated and the (…)Hampden 2016 Hlcf 1,5l (Velier Elliott Erwitt)
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Hampden 2016 Hlcf 1,5l (Velier Elliott Erwitt)
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Hampden 2016 HLCF in the 1.5 litre format is a Jamaican molasses rum bottled by Velier as part of the Elliott Erwitt series. It brings together the kind of details that immediately set the tone: pot still distillation, a 2016 distillation date, bourbon barrel maturation and cask strength bottling at 60% ABV.
With an outturn of 600 bottles, this is far from a standard shelf rum. At Drankenshop Broekmans, it sits in the range as a powerful limited Velier release, made even more distinctive by the magnum format, its collector appeal and the fact that these are among the last bottles.
The available flavour profile points towards a rum where fruit, wood influence and spice carry the main structure, supported by lighter floral and vegetal touches. Rather than (…)Hampden 2018 Lrok Younger 3l
Hampden 2018 Lrok Younger 3l
In stock
Hampden 2018 LROK Younger 3l is a Jamaican rum with a very clear identity: youthful in feel, yet driven by the aromatic force associated with Hampden Estate. The distillery is located in the historic Trelawny Parish region, described in the supplied information as the grand cru of Jamaican rum, and its history reaches back to 1753.
The heart of this release is the exclusive use of the LROK marque, known for its high ester concentration and classified as a heavy rum. Even so, The Younger is built around contrast: tropical ageing brings aromatic intensity, while the freshness of a young rum remains intact. Pot still distillation and bourbon barrel maturation support a profile where fruit, spice and wood all have a clear role.
The 3-litre format gives the bottle (…)Hampden 4y 2021 Dokms#3 1,5l (Velier)
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Hampden 4y 2021 Dokms#3 1,5l (Velier)
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Hampden 4y 2021 Dokms#3 is built around the DOK mark, a style described in the supplied information as an intense expression of Hampden's Jamaican heavy pot still character. It is a molasses rum with only four years of age, yet its identity is already clear: powerful, direct and full of presence.
The pot still distillation, bourbon barrel maturation and 60% strength all point in the same direction. This is not a soft-spoken rum; it is made to show the depth and force of the Hampden style while keeping a surprisingly composed complexity. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as the kind of Jamaican rum that speaks to drinkers who enjoy a more expressive, high-energy profile.
With 600 bottles released and a 1.5 litre format, the presentation feels as (…)Hampden 7y 2018 Hgmlms #3 1,5l (Velier)
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Hampden 7y 2018 Hgmlms #3 1,5l (Velier)
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Hampden 7y 2018 HGMLMS #3 1.5l is a Jamaican molasses rum where power is clearly present, but kept in check by a more refined side. The HGML mark is described here as combining fruit-led softness with controlled strength, and at 60% ABV it is very much a rum to take your time with rather than rush.
Distilled in 2018 on a pot still and matured in a Bourbon Barrel, it carries the kind of structure suggested by its spice, wood and vegetal accents, while the fruit keeps the profile from becoming purely forceful. With 600 bottles released and presented in a 1.5-litre format, this #3 has a distinctive place in the rum range at Drankenshop Broekmans.
The aroma opens full and honeyed, with resinous depth and spicy notes. With a little air, fresher herbal aromas begin (…)Hampden 8 Marks 1 Year 8*20cl (La Maison & Velier)
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Hampden 8 Marks 1 Year 8*20cl (La Maison & Velier)
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Hampden Estate 8 Marks 1 Year is built as a tasting collection rather than a single standard rum. The set contains eight 20 cl bottles, each showing the effect of one year of bourbon barrel maturation on a different mark from the distillery. That makes the collection especially engaging as a side-by-side exploration: one Jamaican origin, one maturation period, eight distinct expressions.
Made from molasses and distilled in a pot still, this Jamaican rum is bottled at 52% and at cask strength. The tropical climate of Jamaica gives the one-year maturation real presence, while the bourbon barrels add their own influence to a profile shaped by fruity, spiced and vegetal tones.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a set for curious drinkers who enjoy comparing (…)Hampden 8 Marks 8*20cl
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Hampden 8 Marks 8*20cl
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Hampden 8 Marks 8*20cl is best seen as a discovery set rather than a single-bottle rum. It brings together eight different marks from Hampden Estate in Jamaica, each in a 20 cl format, giving the drinker a way to explore several sides of the same estate in one giftpack.
The foundation is firmly set: molasses rum, pot still distillation and bottling at 60%. That strength underlines its cask strength presentation and gives the set a direct, uncompromising feel. There is no age statement driving the story here; the focus is on comparison, intensity and the differences between the marks.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this Hampden set sits comfortably among rums chosen for people who like to taste with attention, share a structured tasting, or give a rum gift with (…)Hampden 8y 2017 H Ms#3 1,5l (Velier)
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Hampden 8y 2017 H Ms#3 1,5l (Velier)
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Hampden 8y 2017 H Ms#3 is a Jamaican rum with a distinctly expressive personality. This H edition, also referred to as Diamond H, shows the strength of the Hampden style through long fermentation, pot still distillation and tropical maturation. It is a rum built around concentration, mineral depth and a firm sense of character.
Matured in a bourbon barrel and bottled at 60% ABV, it keeps the intensity of the spirit clearly in focus. The 8 years of age add development, while the release of 600 bottles gives this Velier bottling a more selective feel than a broad standard expression.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a rum for drinkers who enjoy Jamaican rum with real presence. Ripe fruit, spice, a subtle smoky edge, mineral notes and sweeter accents (…)Hampden 9y 2016 Lrok Ms#3 1,5l (Velier)
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Hampden 9y 2016 Lrok Ms#3 1,5l (Velier)
Last one in stock!
Hampden 9y 2016 LROK MS#3 is a Jamaican rum with a clear sense of origin: distilled at Hampden Estate in Trelawny and centred on the LROK mark, described here as a meeting point between strength and refinement.
Nine years of tropical ageing give the rum real depth, while bottling at 60% keeps the experience vivid and direct. Pot still distillation and maturation in a bourbon barrel form the backbone, yet the personality leans strongly toward floral and fruity expression, with spice and wood playing a supporting role.
Produced in 600 bottles and presented in a 1.5-litre format, this Velier release has a distinctive place at Drankenshop Broekmans: a serious Jamaican molasses rum for drinkers who enjoy intensity with detail.
The aroma opens floral (…)Hampden Hes 5th Lm&v 1,5l
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Hampden Hes 5th Lm&v 1,5l
On request only
Hampden Estate HES 5th LM&V comes here in a generous 1.5 litre bottle, and that already gives it a different presence on the shelf. It is a Jamaican rum bottled at 60.5%, so the emphasis is clearly on strength and serious tasting rather than casual lightness.
In the rum selection at Drankenshop Broekmans, it stands out through a concise but compelling set of details: Hampden Estate, Jamaica, a high alcoholic strength and a large-format bottle. With only the last bottles remaining, it also has a certain scarcity within the range.
For anyone specifically looking for a Jamaican rum with a bold presentation, this is a bottle that does not need much explanation. Its character is communicated through the essentials.
No detailed tasting notes are (…)Hampden Lrok The Younger 3l
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Hampden Lrok The Younger 3l
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Hampden Lrok The Younger 3l is a Jamaican molasses rum from Hampden Estate, distilled in a pot still. It is the kind of rum where the essentials matter: origin, distillation style and a clear sense of identity, rather than an overloaded presentation.
Maturation in a bourbon barrel gives the rum a woody frame, with spice and fruit also clearly present in the profile. At 47% ABV it has enough strength to carry that style with confidence, while still keeping the focus on the rum itself.
The 3 litre format gives this Hampden real presence. At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottles like this are especially interesting when someone is looking for a Jamaican rum that stands out on the table as much as in the glass. With the last bottles now available, it also feels like a (…)Hampden The Younger 3l
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Hampden The Younger 3l
Only 2 left in stock!
Hampden The Younger 3l is a Jamaican rum from Hampden Estate, made from molasses and distilled in a pot still. The 3-litre format already sets it apart, especially for a rum with such a clearly defined Jamaican identity.
Distilled in 2016, it matured in a bourbon barrel. Its character is not built around overt sweetness; the emphasis is on fruit, spice and wood, with lighter floral and vegetal touches adding detail around the edges.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum that stands out through origin, distillation style and presentation. With only the last bottles remaining, it is a release that feels increasingly scarce.
The flavour impression centres on clear fruit, spice and wood influence. It comes across as more structured and (…)Malecon 1976 Esplendida 4,5l
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Malecon 1976 Esplendida 4,5l
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Malecon 1976 Esplendida 4.5l is a Cuban molasses rum with 1976 stated as its distillation date. That immediately gives the bottle a different kind of presence: this is not presented as an everyday rum, but as a release where origin, vintage and format all matter.
It is made in a traditional column style and linked to bourbon cask maturation. The supplied profile points towards a rum where wood, spice and fruit all have a clear role, while sweetness stays more in support than in the foreground.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, the 4.5 litre format makes this Malecon stand out on sight, but the interest is not only visual. It remains, first and foremost, a Cuban vintage rum with a cask-influenced profile and a measured strength of 40%.
The flavour (…)Malecon 1979 Esplendida 4,5l
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Malecon 1979 Esplendida 4,5l
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Malecon 1979 Esplendida 4.5l is a Cuban rum with an immediate sense of presence, partly because of its 1979 vintage reference and partly because of the generous bottle size. It is made from molasses, distilled in a traditional column style and bottled at 40% alcohol.
The bourbon cask element gives this release a wood-driven side, while the supplied flavour profile also points clearly towards spice and fruit. Its sweetness is more restrained, so the impression is not built around sugariness alone.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as the kind of rum that stands apart from the everyday shelf: Cuban in origin, vintage-led in identity and presented in a 4.5 litre format that makes it particularly striking to serve or share.
The flavour profile (…)Malecon 1982 Esplendida 4,5l
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Malecon 1982 Esplendida 4,5l
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Malecon 1982 Esplendida 4.5l is a Cuban molasses rum, distilled in 1982 in a traditional column style. With its vintage statement and generous 4.5 litre presentation, it immediately feels like more than a standard bottle; it is the kind of rum that gives a table or back bar real presence.
Maturation in bourbon cask supports a clearly woody side, while the flavour profile also points to spice and fruit. Sweetness is present in a more restrained role, so the impression is not built solely around softness, but around the interplay between wood, spice and fruit.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this Malecon stands out as a rum with a strong sense of occasion: Cuban origin, distilled in 1982, and bottled in an impressive Esplendida format.
The flavour (…)Malteco 10y-15y-20y 3x70cl
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Malteco 10y-15y-20y 3x70cl
On request only
This Malteco gift pack brings together three Guatemalan rums aged 10, 15 and 20 years, each in a 70 cl bottle. Instead of focusing on one single expression, it gives you the chance to explore how age can shape different releases from the same brand.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we appreciate packs like this when they create a real tasting opportunity. Here the appeal lies in the comparison: three age statements, one Guatemalan rum house, and a shared strength of 41% across the set.
As these are the last bottles, the pack also has a limited feel without needing any extra decoration. It is a thoughtful choice for gifting, sharing or setting up a small side-by-side tasting at home.
No specific tasting notes are supplied for this set. Its main tasting (…)Mount Gay 2007 Velier 1,5l (Velier Elliott Erwitt)
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Mount Gay 2007 Velier 1,5l (Velier Elliott Erwitt)
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Mount Gay 2007 Velier 1.5l is a Barbados molasses rum with a very specific place in the glass and on the shelf. It brings together Mount Gay, Velier and the Elliott Erwitt bottling series in a 14-year-old rum distilled in 2007.
The interest here lies in the way the details point in the same direction. Pot still and column distillation, maturation in a bourbon barrel and bottling at natural cask strength of 60% all suggest a rum built around intensity and precision rather than easy softness.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this release stands out as a limited and increasingly scarce bottle. Only 600 bottles were produced, and the 1.5 litre format gives it real presence. With its collector's item status and last-bottles indication, this is a distinctive Barbados rum (…)Plantation 3 Stars White Pouche 2,8l (Planteray Blend)
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Plantation 3 Stars White Pouche 2,8l (Planteray Blend)
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Plantation 3 Stars White Pouche 2.8l is a white rum blend from Planteray, bringing together rums from three Caribbean regions. Rather than presenting white rum as something purely neutral, this bottling draws its interest from blending different origins and distillation styles, including pot still and column still rum.
The 2.8-litre pouch format adds a practical side, but the rum itself still has a clear sense of character. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see it as a white rum with more personality than the category sometimes suggests: tropical, fruit-driven and lightly spiced.
At 41.2% alcohol, it has enough strength to carry its flavours while remaining bright in style. A Caribbean white rum with an aromatic, exotic profile and a format that makes it (…)Plantation Original Dark Pouche 2,8l (Planteray Blend)
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Plantation Original Dark Pouche 2,8l (Planteray Blend)
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Plantation Original Dark Pouche 2.8l is a dark molasses rum bottled by Planteray in a generous 2.8 litre pouch format. Rather than focusing on an age statement, it is built around a dark, flavourful style with warmth, spice and a clear aromatic depth.
Pot still and column distillation sit behind its character, giving the rum a mix of body and approachability. Oak cask ageing adds a light woody note, while the darker side of the rum brings forward caramel, vanilla, dark chocolate and ripe fruit.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum we see as practical but far from plain: a large-format dark rum with enough flavour to stand out, without becoming overly heavy.
The aroma brings together caramel, vanilla and a gentle woody note. On the (…)
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.
