Rum 101
The Today Show Food Editor Phil Lempert teaches us a little about rum and the increased interest in one of America’s favorite liquors.
Many think that due to the Pirate Movie Trilogy there has been a rise in the sales of Rum in the USA. Rum is the 2nd most popular spirit, just behind vodka.
There are 5 classifications of Rum:
White rums are the largest variety and account for over half (54.4 percent) of sales dollars. These rums are generally light-bodied, usually clear and with a subtle flavor. When aged in oak casks to become smoother, they are then filtered to remove any color. White Rums are primarily used as mixers and are the basis for the new fruit flavored rums.
Golden rums (or amber rums) are medium-bodied and are aged for several years in oak casks, producing a smooth and mellow product.
Dark rums are full-bodied, rich, caramel-dominated rums and frequently aged in oak casks for any where from 3 to 10 year periods.
Spiced rums are the fastest growing in the category at 9.6 percent last year (as compared to just a growth of 1.4 percent for unflavored rum) and now represent a 25 percent share.
Añejo and age-dated rums are blended aged rums from different vintages or batches mixed together to produce a consistent flavor from year to year. The labels on some of these rums will include information about the blends or the youngest year of aging. (e.g., at least 10 years old).
There are 2500 different rums, but most are in the Caribbean and this is where it really all began. Sugar Plantations used to give British sailors free rum to keep them in their surrounding waters to protect them from Pirates.
To learn more about Rums history, rums around the world and a peak at some great choices read more of Lempert’s article by clicking here.
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