Everything About Flavored Rums: An Appreciation For Fine Spirits

Flavored rum is something like the finely tuned machine of drinks- a complex ensemble of specialized parts that, when completed and working in harmony, results in an end product with extreme precision.

What is Rum?

Rum, in its most basic form, is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane by-products. It is aged in wooden barrels like oak or cherry which can affect its color and flavor. There are several types of rum, including white, gold, spiced and dark. Rum is produced in a number of countries, but the majority comes from Caribbean islands such as Jamaica, Barbados, and Puerto Rico. The name "rum" comes from the term "rumbullion," which means "commotion" or "uproar."

How Does Rum Taste Like?

The taste of rum is a bit hard to describe because it's so complex and has many flavor notes and aromas that you can detect and appreciate. However, it's safe to mention how rum's original flavor can be compared to toasted sugar because molasses and sugar cane are integral components in making them. Vanilla and other spices also come up when talking about rum since infusing these spices into rum is a prevalent practice.

Main Types of Rum

Dark Rum

Dark rum is made from distilled molasses, which is responsible for its rich, brown color and deep, earthy flavor. It's the strongest among all types of rum in terms of alcohol content owing to a longer aging process. A common practice for aging dark rums is utilizing barrels that previously held other spirits, such as bourbon and whiskey. According to manufacturers, this elevates the dark rum's flavors and overall quality. 

Light Rum (or White Rum)

Light rums have a clean and clear taste with little to no flavor from the barrel aging process. They are often used in cocktails where the alcohol flavor needs to be masked by other ingredients such as fruit juice or cola. Light rums are also used for cooking because they have a very neutral flavor that does not compete with whatever food it is being added to. Light rums can be aged for up to one year, but most are aged for only six months or less.

Gold Rum

Aged longer than light rums but shorter than dark rums, gold rums are those that have an amber hue. They are typically smoother than dark rums but with more character and complexity than white rums. Gold rums can be sweetened with caramel or honey to produce darker versions like gold spiced rum, which are popular among casual drinkers who enjoy sipping on cocktails at home or on vacation.

Flavored Rum/Spiced Rum

Flavored rums are technically not a type of rum because they are any of the above except with the added flavoring. Nonetheless, they deserve a category of their own thanks to their immense popularity. Flavored and spiced rum is almost the same, and there are no pressing consequences for using them interchangeably, but there are subtle differences.

Spiced rum is called such because it is infused with spices like vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, or nutmeg. Hence, you may also hear people refer to them as infused rum. On the other hand, flavored rum may refer to rums combined with fruit flavorings like mango, pineapple, or orange. Most spiced rums use dark and gold rums, while flavored rums are more suitable with white rums as their base. But again, you'll be forgiven if you interchange the terms.

History of Flavored Rum

As mentioned, flavored rum is technically any kind of rum with incorporated flavoring. It is unclear where spiced rums first appeared. However, it is well documented that the island people of Jamaica have been integrating rum with spices and other additives for generations. This custom was once used to temper the intensity of new rum and make the pure alcohol more palatable. According to other reports, they even did so to make it simpler to administer the rum because it had therapeutic benefits. 

Nevertheless, the technique of flavoring rum with unique ingredients did not become mainstream until the Captain Morgan Rum brand gave spiced rum a prominent platform. This was further popularized in recent years by big brands like Malibu and Bacardi. This is why spiced rum feels relatively new, even though rum has a history spanning more than four centuries. Jamaicans decided to develop their own exclusive blend of herbs, spices, and fruits in the 1980s, which led to the drink's introduction in the United States. Since then, several spices have been utilized to increase a rum's richness and depth of flavor.

How Are Rums Flavored?

Although there isn't a set formula for when to infuse spices into rum, it usually happens near the latter part of the aging process. Generally speaking, that takes between one and six months, depending on who is blending it. Common spices include clove, cinnamon, anise, vanilla, citrus fruits, pineapple, cardamom, orange peel, ginger, pepper, and allspice.

It undergoes maceration procedures akin to those used with gins, creating a beverage with significant complexity and rich flavors. Spices and molasses are added to traditional white rum after it has been distilled, and it is then aged in oak barrels.

There are various tastes and spices that can be added to rum to create a variety of intriguing alcoholic beverages. A few other rums are also available with extra flavors such as fruit extracts from citrus, grape, coconut, peppermint, butterscotch, plantain, berries, pineapple, and plenty of other tropical plants.

Most Popular Rum Flavors of All Time

Flavored rum is such an extensive drink category sporting dozens of flavors and hundreds of brands. Below are the flavors that have stood the test of time. Frequent drinkers can agree that these are popular for a good reason, and those who are tempted to try out rum will never go wrong starting off with these.

1. Vanilla Rum

This type of rum has been infused with vanilla beans or vanilla extract towards the end of the aging process. Vanilla is a widely accepted flavor of any consumable, so there's no surprise that it found its way into rums. It blends well with many other flavors and can also enhance the taste of other ingredients in mixed rum drinks. The result is an unmistakable vanilla note for both smell and taste senses, mellowing out the robust rum punch with what feels like a reassuring hug!

Notable bottles

2. Coconut Rum

Coconut is one of the oldest flavors of rum, owing to its sweet taste and tropical flair. Coconut-infused rums are often used in cocktails such as Pina Coladas and Mai Tais because they work well with other tropical flavors like pineapple juice and lime juice. These drinks are typically served over crushed ice with a slice of pineapple or orange for garnish.

Notable bottles

3. Chocolate Rum

Chocolate-flavored rums are made using a process called "the chocolate route." To achieve this flavor, sugarcane is fermented with cocoa beans and vanilla beans. This method results in a unique and complex taste that's perfect for sipping straight up or on the rocks.

Notable bottles

4. Coffee Rum

Coffee-flavored rums are created through a similar process to the chocolate route except coffee beans are added to the fermentation process instead of cocoa beans. This creates a distinct flavor profile that's perfect for mixed drinks or sipping on its own. You never have to choose between coffee and alcohol again!

Notable bottles

5. Pineapple Rum

Pineapple is also one of the oldest varieties of flavoring used on rum, partly because rum was a staple in tropical islands. Some distillers claim that pineapples were first used by British pirates as early as 1722, while others say that they were first imported into Europe by ships returning from South America around 1690. Either way, it is clear that pineapple has been an integral part of rum production for many years.

Notable bottles

Other Rum Flavors Worth Trying

Orange Rum

Also one of the most traditional flavorings in rum is orange peel, which can also be used with other citrus fruits like lime or lemon. It's generally added to white rums, though some dark rums also have an orange flavor.

Banana Rum

Whether you've been drinking banana-flavored booze before or are just now discovering its charms, it's hard not to love this sweet, tropical flavor. It's also one of the most effortless flavors to make at home if you're feeling adventurous!

Butterscotch Rum

This is a relatively new flavor profile for rums, but it's gaining popularity quickly! These rums typically feature notes of caramel and buttery creaminess without being overly sweet or cloying. They're perfect for sipping on their own!

Mango Rum

A sweet and tropical taste that's perfect for sipping on its own or mixed in cocktails, mango rums are fabulous as party drinks.

Conclusion

It's clear today that flavored rums are more than just a gimmicky twist—they represent the growth and development of rum culture as a whole. The number of options available is nothing short of astounding. Plus, they're made in many different styles, which gives you the chance to find whatever kind of flavor you're looking for.