Laid down in oak barrels for at least three years, this rum is then double filtered through natural charcoal to remove colour, resulting in a spirit that is balanced and full flavoured. The nose shows vanilla, citrus and hints of chocolate, which leads into a smooth palate with flavours of coconut and a fruity, dry finish.
Perfect for mixing cocktails.
Rum production is based on traditional styles that vary between locations and distillers.
Most rum produced is made from molasses. Within the Caribbean, much of this molasses is from Brazil. A notable exception is the French-speaking islands, where sugarcane juice is the preferred base ingredient.
Yeast and water are added to the base ingredient to start the fermentation process. While some rum producers allow wild yeasts to perform the fermentation, most use specific strains of yeast to help provide a consistent taste and predictable fermentation time; the yeast employed will determine the final taste and aroma profile.
As with all other aspects of rum production, no standard method is used for distillation.
Many countries require rum to be aged for at least one year. This aging is commonly performed in used bourbon casks, but may also be performed in other types of wooden casks or stainless steel tanks. The aging process determines the color of the rum. When aged in oak casks, it becomes dark, whereas rum aged in stainless steel tanks remains virtually colorless.
Due to the tropical climate common to most rum-producing areas, rum matures at a much higher rate than is typical for whisky or brandy. An indication of this higher rate is the angels' share, or amount of product lost to evaporation. While products aged in France or Scotland see about 2% loss each year, tropical rum producers may see as much as 10%.
