Rum for the hills

Leave the cognac and whisky for cooler evenings, your summer mandate is all things rum.

You might be asking what rum is, but let’s first talk about what it isn’t. Rum is not what you mixed with Coke, nor is it Spiced Gold. At least not the kind we’re talking about. With little regulation, rum can be many things, light or dark, rounded and rich like the Guatemalan, easy-to-drink Cuban, or off-beat Jamaican.

‘What makes rum rum, is that it’s a fermented and distilled by-product of sugar that is then aged in casks – usually oak; it’s not as strict as whisky or as loose as something like gin,’ says Mount Gay brand ambassador Caitlin Hill.

The plus side of this deregulation? Rum can age anywhere, which gives producers a lot of flexibility and creativity. What that means for you is a rum for every occasion. Read on to learn everything you need to know.

If you want to swap out your Scotch for something more equatorial, sipping rums are now a thing. Here’s what to ask for: Mount Gay Black Barrel, XO or 1703, Ron Zacapa XO, Bacardi 8, Diplomático, Pyrat Rum or Appleton Estate VX. Think it’s not up to scratch? Something like Zacapa uses ex Bourbon, Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez wine casks to add complexity.

Dark rum

It’s also known as black rum and has been aged the longest of any of these types of rum. The extended time it spends in wooden casks gives it a dark colour and deep, smoky-sweet flavour.

Spiced rum

This is typically aged for the same length of time as black rum but with added spices and caramel colourings to give it a signature sweet spice taste.

Gold rum

Also known as Oro, it’s aged in wooden casks which gives the spirit its characteristic colour and sweeter, richer flavour.