All about rums

The origin of Rum

Rum is a sugar cane brandy and remains the common denominator of the Caribbean islands and South American countries, each with its own distinct culture and traditions.

Did you know that?

There are three main types of colonial rum: Hispanic, British and French.

1. The Rones

The rones are produced in Cuba, Guatemala, Panama, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Colombia and Venezuela.

These traditional Hispanic rums, made from molasses and distilled in column stills, have a very smooth and gentle character. They are denoted by the language of "Anejo, Solera" which is reminiscent of the world of sherry.

2. The Rums

They come from Jamaica, the islands of Grenada, Barbados, Saint Kitts, Trinidad or the Demerara region of Guyana.

These rums of British origin have, for the most part, retained their traditional method of distillation in copper pot stills. Heavier and more distinctive, these rums are mostly made from molasses.

Among the most evocative families is Navy Rum, which was distributed daily to sailors for over three centuries.

3. The Rhums

Of all the rum-producing countries, France is the only one to have provided its overseas territories with a legal framework regulating rum production and appellations.

The French West Indies, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Marie-Galante are known both for their agricultural rum or rhum z'habitant made from the fermentation and distillation of pure fresh sugar cane juice and for their traditional rum.

Unlike Reunion, which not only produces both, but also brews Grands Arômes rums with an obvious British style.

Types of rums

Among traditional rums, there are two main categories of rum according to their production process:

Agricultural rums: these are obtained by distillation of fresh sugar cane juice and are produced mainly in the French West Indies and are also called rhum z'habitant.

Molasses rums: Made from a residue of cane sugar after concentrating the juice by heating and removing impurities, this rum can be called "industrial rum" or "Grand Arôme".

Other types of rum

There are other categories of rum:

• Old rums
• White rums
• Amber rums
• Dark rums
• Vintages and maturation
• Overproofs
• Spiced rums or "arranged rums"