Whether you are battling the scorching overhead sun or braving the cold winters of Nepal, any weather can be made pleasant and enjoyable by one simple solution – rum. The drinking experience becomes more complete when you have several rum types at your home bar.
With its varied styles and types of rum now, picking the right ones might be difficult for you. But, we have got you covered.
Here is a comprehensive guide to understanding everything you need from several rum types for your home bar.
1. White rum
This rum is basically the one from which you can make your daiquiris and mojitos. It is simple, clean, and very cocktail-friendly. Many of these rums are charcoal-filtered to remove any colour they might gain in the ageing process. These rums can be aged anywhere between 1-4 years on average and are fairly budget-friendly for your home bar. These are also known as light or silver rums.
2. Dark rum
This rum, aka XXX rum, is aged for longer periods and is thus darker and fuller. It often picks up the colour, as well as flavour notes, from the barrel through the years of ageing. It is very close to whisky in characteristics and makes an excellent option for sipping solo, or with some ice. Most dark rums are a result of double distillation.
3. Flavoured rum
As the name suggests, these rums are infused with flavours such as herbs or flowers. The base is often that of white rum. Flavoured rums include coconut rum, very popular among home bar owners. These may or may not be aged. The flavours add complexity and a special kick to the rum and make it perfect for sipping as it is. Some of the most popular flavours include pineapple, coconut, cinnamon, vanilla, coffee etc.
4. Gold or spiced rum
These two types of rum will look very similar, but it is important that you know which one you are getting. An aged rum will have a golden or amber hue naturally cultivated from the casks it was made in. Spiced rum is infused with herbs and local spices.
There are also a few aged dark rums available for your home bar in Nepal. A gold rum can also be aged, but it often gleans its colour from additives. It is common for the caramel to be added to aged rums to ‘correct’ the colour, which is the best way to do it. In terms of taste, an aged rum will have more depth while a gold rum offers a smoother experience.
5. Rhum Agricole
Rhum Agricole is made from sugarcane instead of molasses and is only produced in the French Caribbean. Rhum production must adhere to the strictest regulations of any rum type, down to the distillation length, making it the most consistent form. Similarly to white rum, the sweetness from the sugarcane comes through in a strong way, but rhum also presents a pleasant grassiness.
6. Overproof or navy rum
This is for the home bars of brave ones, but we do not recommend shots. Overproof or navy rum is anywhere between 50-75.5% ABV, much higher than your average spirit. It works best as a floater on top of a shooter or cocktail. Additionally, these are rums that you might find locally rather than brands.
Now, you are all ready to fill up your home bar and whip up some great cocktails! So get going.
7. Smoky rum
Smokiness mostly comes from the casks in which the rum ages. It is a great way to cut the sweetness of sugar and add a unique texture to the spirit. Smoky rums are great to sip by themselves, but they also make for classic cocktails like the rum old-fashioned.
