Rum
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Barbados 2013 10y Foursquare (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Barbados 2013 10y Foursquare (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Barbados 2013 10y Foursquare from Daily Dram is a molasses rum distilled at Foursquare in Barbados and bottled by The Nectar after 10 years of maturation. Its pot still and column distillation give it a layered foundation, while the bourbon barrel influence supports the rum without taking attention away from its tropical and spicy side.
This is a single cask release bottled at cask strength. Only 250 bottles were filled, and with the last bottles now in circulation, it feels very much like a precise snapshot from one individual barrel rather than a standard batch. At Drankenshop Broekmans, these are the kinds of rums that stand out: direct, concentrated and clearly shaped by their origin and cask.
At 64.9% ABV, it carries real strength, yet the tasting notes (…)Belize 2006 15y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Belize 2006 15y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
In stock
Belize 2006 15y from Daily Dram is a molasses rum with a very focused identity: one single cask, 15 years of age and just 222 bottles. Distilled in Belize in 2006 and bottled in May 2021 by The Nectar, it sits firmly within the Daily Dram style of small-scale, characterful bottlings.
The Bourbon Barrel maturation gives the rum a clear wood influence, while the profile also points towards a distinct fruity side. Bottled at 52%, it has a more concentrated presence than a lighter everyday rum, and the traditional column distillation keeps the story tied closely to its origin and production style.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a rum for customers who are looking for something more specific than a standard release: a Belize single cask with fruit, wood (…)Belize 2006 15y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Belize 2006 15y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
On request only
Belize 2006 15y from Daily Dram is the kind of rum where the appeal lies in the exactness of the release. It comes from a single Bourbon Barrel, was distilled in 2006 from molasses on a traditional column still, and was bottled by The Nectar in May 2021 after 15 years of ageing.
Only 90 bottles were drawn from this cask, and it was bottled at cask strength, 65.4% alcohol. That gives the rum a very specific identity: not a broad blend shaped for consistency, but one individual barrel captured at a particular point in its maturation.
In the selection at Drankenshop Broekmans, this Belize rum sits among the more characterful discoveries. The flavour profile points toward a firm presence of wood, spice and fruit, with lighter floral and vegetal accents, while (…)Belize 2007 13y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Belize 2007 13y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
On request only
Belize 2007 13y from Daily Dram is a molasses rum with a very clearly defined origin and bottling story. Distilled in Belize in 2007 and bottled in November 2020 by The Nectar, it was drawn from a single bourbon barrel after 13 years of maturation. Rather than presenting a broad house style, it captures one specific cask at one specific point in time.
With only 260 bottles released and an alcoholic strength of 62.6%, this is a rum that keeps close to the cask. The strength gives the bottling a direct, unpolished feel, while the bourbon barrel background helps frame its wood, spice and fruit-driven profile.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as the kind of independent rum that rewards a closer look: Belizean origin, multicolumn distillation, single cask (…)Belize 2014 9y Travell (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Belize 2014 9y Travell (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
On request only
Belize 2014 9y Travell from Daily Dram is a molasses-based rum distilled at Travellers in Belize. Distilled in 2014 and bottled in 2023 after 9 years of maturation, it sits in a flavour territory where fruit, spice and oak all have a clear voice.
The rum was distilled in a traditional column style and matured in Virgin Oak, giving the bottling a firm, cask-driven personality. The Nectar bottled it under the Daily Dram label at full cask strength, 65.3%, keeping it close to its original form rather than smoothing everything out.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of rum that stands out because of its limited nature: a single cask release of only 164 bottles, now down to the last bottles. For drinkers exploring Belize rum with a powerful and distinctive (…)Caroni 1998 (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Caroni 1998 (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
In stock
Caroni 1998 from Daily Dram is a tightly focused Trinidad rum with a very specific identity. Distilled in 1998 from molasses and selected by The Nectar, it comes from a single bourbon barrel and was bottled at cask strength, reaching 55.5% alcohol.
The appeal lies in its narrow, carefully defined release. One cask, only 192 bottles, and now down to the last bottles: this is the kind of rum that feels like a particular snapshot rather than a broad house style. At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottlings like this stand out because they allow rum drinkers to explore one individual cask on its own terms.
Its profile points towards a firmer, drier style, with wood, spice, floral notes and vegetal accents taking the lead. Fruit plays a smaller role, while sweetness is not (…)Caroni 1998 23y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Caroni 1998 23y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
In stock
Caroni 1998 23y from Daily Dram is a Trinidad rum with a very clear identity: a single cask release, matured for a long period and bottled at cask strength. Distilled in 1998 and bottled in April 2022, this molasses rum spent 23 years in a bourbon barrel.
Its limited nature is central to the appeal. The Nectar released it under the Daily Dram label as a single cask bottling, with only 241 bottles drawn from that barrel. Together with the last bottles indication, it feels less like a standard rum release and more like a precise snapshot of one individual cask.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a rum for drinkers who appreciate a direct, undiluted style. Traditional column distillation, bourbon barrel maturation and bottling at 59% come together in a (…)Clarendon 1984 40y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Clarendon 1984 40y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
In stock
Clarendon 1984 40y is a Jamaican molasses rum with a genuinely scarce feel. Distilled in 1984 and bottled in July 2024 after 40 years of maturation, this Daily Dram release from The Nectar brings four decades of ageing into a single, uncompromised bottling.
It comes from one bourbon barrel, bottled at natural cask strength at 64.2%, with only 90 bottles released. At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is exactly the kind of rum that stands out through substance rather than volume: Jamaican origin, pot still distillation, serious age and the directness of a single cask.
The style is powerful and mature, with wood, spice and fruit all playing an important role. It is a rum for slow tasting, where the interest lies in the concentration of one individual cask and the way (…)Dominican Republic 2013 10y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Dominican Republic 2013 10y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
In stock
Dominican Republic 2013 10y is a sugar cane juice rum with a clearly defined origin and maturation story. Distilled at AFD in the Dominican Republic, it was selected by The Nectar for the Daily Dram range after 10 years of ageing in bourbon casks and a final Virgin Oak finish.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, releases like this are valued for the way they show a specific cask rather than a broad house style. This is a single cask rum, bottled at cask strength, with only 341 bottles produced. That gives it a focused, small-batch character and a sense of directness in the glass.
Its appeal lies in the interplay between fruit, spice and noticeable oak. The Virgin Oak finish brings extra structure, while the rum remains tied to its cane juice origin and Dominican (…)Ecuador Unaged (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Ecuador Unaged (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Ecuador Unaged from Daily Dram is a rum with a very direct point of view. The name tells you what matters here: this is not a bottling built around cask ageing, but an unaged rum from Ecuador where the spirit itself remains at the centre.
At 55% alcohol, it comes across as a firmly presented release. Bottled by The Nectar under the Daily Dram label, it sits at Drankenshop Broekmans among the more distinctive rum selections for drinkers who enjoy exploring styles beyond the familiar soft, aged expressions.
With only the last bottles remaining, this Ecuador Unaged has extra relevance for anyone specifically looking for an unaged Ecuadorian rum in a stronger bottling.
No detailed aromatic tasting notes are provided for this bottling. Its style is (…)Fiji 2009 12y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Fiji 2009 12y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
On request only
Fiji 2009 12y from Daily Dram is a molasses-based rum with a very direct sense of origin and cask identity. Distilled in 2009 on a pot still and bottled in September 2021 after 12 years of ageing, it presents Fiji rum through a single, clearly defined release.
The appeal here lies in its focused nature. One bourbon barrel, bottled at cask strength at 64.6%, produced just 285 bottles. With the last bottles now indicated, this Daily Dram selection from The Nectar feels like a precise snapshot rather than a broad house style.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as the kind of rum that speaks to drinkers who appreciate strength, individuality and a less sweet-driven profile. The flavour direction points towards spice, fruit and a pronounced vegetal side, with (…)Fiji 2014 10y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Fiji 2014 10y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
In stock
Fiji 2014 10y from Daily Dram is a molasses-based rum from Fiji, distilled using both pot still and column still. That gives it a firm, expressive backbone: the pot still side brings the distinctive funky edge, while the overall impression remains direct and well defined.
It spent 10 years in bourbon barrels and was bottled at cask strength, at 56% alcohol. This is a rum with presence rather than polish for its own sake, showing a clear fruity and spicy direction with only a moderate wood influence in support.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Daily Dram release we like to highlight because it is so specific: one cask, one 2014 vintage, 285 bottles. With the last bottles now available, it has the feel of a limited snapshot rather than a standard (…)Ghana Arc 2020 2y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Ghana Arc 2020 2y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
On request only
Ghana Arc 2020 2y is a young, high-strength rum bottled under The Nectar's Daily Dram label. The name gives the clearest clues: a Ghana reference, the 2020 vintage marker and 2 years of ageing. Rather than relying on long maturation, this bottling is about directness, energy and a very assertive presentation.
At 66.5% alcohol, it is not a casual, understated rum. Within the selection at Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of independent bottling we would point out to customers who enjoy exploring small, focused releases with real strength behind them.
There has clearly been interest in this release, and with the last bottles now available it has become a more fleeting find. Its appeal lies in that specific snapshot: a young Ghana rum, presented through (…)Guyana 1998 23y Uitvlught (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Guyana 1998 23y Uitvlught (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
In stock
Guyana 1998 23y Uitvlught from Daily Dram is a molasses-based rum with a very clearly defined identity. Distilled in 1998 and bottled in April 2022, it spent 23 years maturing before being released by The Nectar under the Daily Dram label. The traditional column distillation and Bourbon Barrel maturation give the bottling a focused sense of origin and style.
Its appeal lies strongly in its small-scale nature. This is a single cask release, bottled at cask strength, with only 167 bottles produced. With the last bottles now involved and the release marked as a collectors item, it holds a distinctive place in the rum selection at Drankenshop Broekmans.
At 58.4%, this is not a softened or broadly styled rum. It is a direct presentation of one cask, one Guyanese (…)Guyana Diamond 2003 (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Guyana Diamond 2003 (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
In stock
Guyana Diamond 2003 has the appeal of a very clearly defined rum: distilled in 2003, bottled in 2015, and drawn from a single bourbon barrel. As a Daily Dram bottling, it is not presented as a broad house style, but as one specific twelve-year-old cask selection.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottles like this are interesting because they give rum drinkers something concrete to explore. The Guyana origin, the Diamond name, traditional column distillation and bourbon barrel maturation all point toward a style where fruit, spice and wood are central, with sweetness playing a quieter supporting role.
Bottled at 46.8% and at cask strength, it keeps a direct link to the individual cask. With only the last bottles remaining, this is a limited release for those who (…)Guyana Ehp 2002 21y Enmdd (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Guyana Ehp 2002 21y Enmdd (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
On request only
Guyana EHP 2002 21y ENM from Daily Dram is a very focused release: a molasses rum distilled in 2002 at Diamond Distillery, matured for 21 years in a bourbon barrel and bottled in 2023 by The Nectar. The wooden vat still distillation gives the rum a clear sense of origin, with the distillate itself playing an important role alongside the cask.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this sits among the rums we like to present slowly rather than simply place on a shelf. It is a single cask bottling, released at cask strength at 50.1%, with only 154 bottles drawn from that barrel. That small outturn gives it the feel of a specific snapshot in time: one distillation, one cask, one mature rum.
The bourbon barrel and long ageing bring wood, spice and fruit into focus, while the (…)Guyana Mda 2012 10y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Guyana Mda 2012 10y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Guyana Mda 2012 10y is the kind of rum where the details actually matter. Distilled in 2012 and bottled in May 2022 by The Nectar for the Daily Dram range, it comes from a single bourbon barrel rather than from a broad blend. That gives the bottle a very specific identity: one cask, one moment, one limited release.
Made from molasses and distilled in a pot still, it has been bottled at cask strength, reaching 62.5% alcohol. Nothing in the supplied information points toward a softened, sweet style; the emphasis is instead on power, spice and directness, with the cask playing a supporting role.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a rum for drinkers who enjoy exploring individual cask selections from Guyana. With 227 bottles produced and the last bottles (…)Guyana Skeldon Swr 1997 25y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Guyana Skeldon Swr 1997 25y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
Only 3 left in stock!
Guyana Skeldon Swr 1997 25y is the kind of rum where the interest lies in the specific cask and the time behind it. Distilled in 1997 and bottled in 2022, this molasses-based Guyanese rum spent 25 years maturing before being selected for the Daily Dram range.
Bottled by The Nectar from a single bourbon barrel, it is a very limited release of just 217 bottles. At 47.6% cask strength, it keeps close to the identity of that individual cask rather than aiming for a broad, standard house style.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a rum for those moments when detail matters. The profile is built around wood, spice and fruit, without a pronounced sweet emphasis, while the traditional column distillation and long maturation give it a mature, composed presence. (…)Guyana Sv 2001 21y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Guyana Sv 2001 21y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
In stock
Guyana Sv 2001 21y is a molasses-based rum where the appeal lies in the meeting point between maturity, origin and individual cask character. Distilled in Guyana in 2001 and bottled in August 2022, it spent 21 years developing before being released as a single cask bottling.
It comes from The Nectar under the Daily Dram label, a range that sits comfortably at Drankenshop Broekmans for drinkers who enjoy independent selections with a clear sense of identity. The rum was distilled in a Coffey Still, matured in a bourbon barrel and bottled at cask strength at 50.2%, giving it a direct and unpolished presentation.
The last bottles status adds to the feeling of specificity. With a single cask, there is no second batch waiting in the background; once that cask is (…)Hampden 1983 Hgml 41y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Hampden 1983 Hgml 41y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
In stock
Hampden 1983 HGML 41y is the kind of Jamaican molasses rum that immediately sets a different tone. Distilled in 1983 and bottled in July 2024, it comes from a single cask and carries the weight of a very long maturation without being presented as a polished, softened version of itself.
Bottled by The Nectar for the Daily Dram range, it is released at cask strength, 53.5%. The rum was drawn from a bourbon barrel and received a very short Oloroso cask finish from the bottler. That finish adds a final nuance, while the centre of gravity remains firmly with Hampden and the HGML mark.
Only 90 bottles were produced, which makes this a notably scarce release. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see a bottle like this less as an everyday rum and more as a piece of liquid (…)Hampden 2012 9y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Hampden 2012 9y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
On request only
Hampden 2012 9y is a Jamaican molasses rum bottled by The Nectar under the Daily Dram label. Its appeal lies in its focused, small-batch nature: pot still distillation, maturation in a Bourbon Barrel, a single cask release and bottling at cask strength. At 60.8% ABV, this is a rum with real presence rather than a softened standard bottling.
Distilled in 2012 and bottled in September 2021, it spent 9 years maturing before being drawn from one individual cask. Only 257 bottles were released, so this is a narrow and clearly defined edition. With the final bottles now available, it has the kind of scarcity that naturally attracts attention among rum drinkers looking for something specific.
For Drankenshop Broekmans, bottlings like this Daily Dram are interesting (…)Hampden 2013
8y (The Nectar - Daily Dram) LAST PIECES94360° view available
Hampden 2013
8y (The Nectar - Daily Dram) On request only
Hampden 2013 <H> 8y is a Jamaican molasses rum with a very direct presentation. Distilled in 2013 on a pot still and bottled in April 2022, this Daily Dram release from The Nectar spent 8 years maturing before being bottled at cask strength: 64.4% ABV from a single bourbon barrel.
That single cask origin matters. This is not a broad, softened blend, but the voice of one individual cask. Within the rum selection at Drankenshop Broekmans, it stands out as a powerful Jamaican release for drinkers who appreciate rum with clear origin, concentration and presence.
The flavour profile points towards pronounced fruit, spice and vegetal notes, supported by lighter floral and woody accents. Rather than presenting sweetness as the main theme, this bottling leans (…)Hampden Dok 2020 2y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Hampden Dok 2020 2y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
On request only
Hampden Dok 2020 2y is a Jamaican molasses rum with a clearly independent-bottler identity. Released by The Nectar under the Daily Dram label, it was distilled in 2020 and bottled in September 2022 at 2 years of age.
The appeal here lies in its compact but forceful setup: pot still distillation, a single cask, cask strength bottling at 65.6%, and an Islay finish. Rather than leaning on sweetness, this rum is shaped by wood, spice and fruit, with the Islay cask adding an unusual angle to the maturation.
Only 228 bottles were produced, and with the last bottles now in circulation, this Hampden has a particularly distinctive place at Drankenshop Broekmans for drinkers who enjoy small-batch Jamaican rum with intensity and a less conventional cask influence.
Jamaica & Trinidad 5y+7y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Jamaica & Trinidad 5y+7y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
On request only
Jamaica & Trinidad 5y+7y from Daily Dram is a molasses rum with a direct, assertive presence. Bottled by The Nectar under the Daily Dram label, it brings Jamaica and Trinidad together in a small release that feels very much aimed at drinkers who enjoy independent rum bottlings with a clear cask-driven identity.
There is plenty here to set the tone: pot still and column distillation, maturation in a bourbon barrel, a 5y+7y age indication and a multivintage composition. Bottled at cask strength at 70%, it presents the rum in a powerful form, without softening the message of the cask.
Within the Drankenshop Broekmans selection, this is the kind of bottle we would point out to someone looking for rum beyond the rounder, more polished styles. With only 200 (…)
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.
