About Rum
Rum is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane by-products such as molasses and sugarcane juice by a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then usually aged in oak and other barrels. The majority of the world's rum production occurs in and around the Caribbean and in several Central American and South American countries (Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Guyana, Venezuela). There are also rum producers in other places in the world (Australia, Fiji, the Philippines, India, Reunion Island, Mauritius).
Overproof rums contain a higher content of alcohol than the 40% to 43% in regular rums. Most overproof rums contain greater than 70% alcohol. It is not unusual to find overproof rums with a content of 75.5 to 80 percent alcohol; 151 to 160 proof. Overproof rums can be sold in light, gold, dark, and spiced variations.
Spiced rums are generally aged gold rums created with the addition of spices and caramel color. Spiced rums gain their darker color from aging in wooden oak barrel casks. There are also spiced rums that are white or clear in color.
Regular rums generally fall into the following categories:
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Light rums (also called silver or white) have little flavor and are often used as a base for cocktails. Light rums are sometimes filtered after aging to remove color.
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Gold rums (also called amber) are medium-bodied rums which are generally aged. Gold rums can obtain flavor through the addition of spices and caramel color.
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Dark rums (also known as black rum) are darker than gold rums. They are generally aged longer than light and gold rums. Dark rums have a much stronger aromas, and may contain hints of spices and molasses or caramel overtones.
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Premium rums are aged much longer and much more care is taken during production. They generally are described as having more character and flavor.
Flavored rums are infused with flavors of fruit such as mango, orange, raspberry, citrus, coconut, and lime. These rums are generally less than 40% alcohol in content.
Rum Creams are cream (dairy) based liqueurs that are made with rum and flavoring (fruit, nuts, coffee, etc). Cream rums can range from 15 to 55% alcohol, however, they are generally a much lower percent by volume than regular rums.
Liqueurs are alcoholic beverages that have been flavored and bottled with added sugar. Liqueurs are typically quite sweet and are not usually aged for long periods. Most liqueurs have a lower alcohol content (15%-30%).
Cachaça is a liquor made from fermented sugarcane. It is the most popular distilled alcoholic beverage in Brazil. It is also known as aguardente (aguardiente), pinga, caninha. Cachaça is mostly produced in Brazil. It is typically between 38% and 54% alcohol by volume. The major difference between cachaça and rum is that rum is usually made from molasses, a by-product from refineries that boil the cane juice to extract as much sugar crystals as possible. Cachaça is made from fresh sugarcane juice that's fermented and distilled.
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