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Rum

Rum is such an evocative spirit. It transforms, transcends and instantly transports the drinker to the sun-washed shores of the West Indies; white sands, palm trees and blue seas. It always has a sense of joviality, in part thanks to its Caribbean origins, and also because of the unabashed decadence surrounding a libation made from sugar.

The kind of sugar used is one of the key differentiating factors in rum production. In the Spanish and British Antilles, for example, rum is traditionally distilled from molasses - a by-product of sugar production.

In the French Caribbean islands, however, sugarcane juice (sometimes called sugarcane honey) is used instead of molasses. Countries like Martinique and Guadeloupe are famed for producing spirit distilled from sugarcane juice, known as rhum agricole - French for 'agricultural rum'. The spirit is often made in a way that more closely resembles the distillation of some of the famous French brandies, such as Cognac or Armagnac, and results in a spirit typically around 40-50% ABV, or higher in the case of overproof rum. Younger varieties often exude a tangy, herbal flavour, whilst the aged varieties (often matured in Cognac casks) will offer up subtlety and complexity, just like any fine aged spirit.

The Caribbean has been cultivated for sugar for centuries, and the various occupiers, be they Spanish, French or English, have their own terms for the spirit; Ron, Rhum and, of course, Rum, respectively.

As far as British involvement with the spirit, there has always been a strong connection with the Royal Navy. Indeed, at one time the Navy afforded their sailors a half pint of rum as part of their daily ration. The rum was traded and export grew in large part because of the export possibilities that sea travel brought about.

Many competing arguments exist as to the origins of the term "rum". The most convincing is that it is a shortened version of "rumbullion" – a word meaning great uproar and noise, and a good reminder of the often violent, dramatic history of rum. Other terms have existed, including "kill devil" which was used to describe spirit distilled from molasses.

Due to the huge geographical territory in which rum is produced, there are many variants in production, the type of still being one of the most obvious. Usually, pot stills are used to distil thick, rich, aged rums (El Dorado 15 and El Pusser's are good examples). Continuous column stills, on the other hand, are used to produce white spirits best associated with cocktails.

Maturation is an interesting aspect too. White rums are either unaged or aged only very briefly. Classics such as Bacardi Superior are crisp and tangy and work brilliantly well in cocktails. Gold rums tend to be a mix of spirit old and new, and also work nicely in cocktails, with an increase in complexity and flavour. For the connoisseurs of sipping spirit, however, dark rums are the preference. These can be tremendously refined and delicious, thanks in no small part to the tropical nature of the climate. The hot weather allows Caribbean rums to mature particularly rapidly - at as much as thrice the rate of Scotch Whisky . In this respect a 15 year old rum is the equivalent of a 45 year old whisky!

Other geographical factors come into play too, and some of the top rum-producing countries have attained their own unique style.

Jamaica is perhaps one of the most prolific rum nations today, with its own unique style. Prior to distillation, the molasses are typically allowed to ferment for a great length of time. This is then followed by distillation in pot stills. The result is intensity and body, often with notes of tropical fruit and banana. Appleton Estate and Wray and Nephew are superlative examples.

Barbados is another prime rum territory. One of the original islands to begin rum distillation, Barbadian rums are often superbly balanced, with deliciously aromatic tendencies. There are three main distilleries on the island (West Indies Rum Distillery, Mount Gay and Foursquare), and each makes use of pot stills. These are easy-drinking rums, with some of the longer-aged variants (Doorly's XO, for example) working brilliantly as sipping spirits.

Guyana is one of our favourite rum nations, thanks in no small part to the heavy, Demerara rums bottled in the El Dorado range. These are full-bodied spirits, traditionally the main constituent in British Navy rum. Made in a mix of pot stills and column stills, there is quite a variety of flavour to be found. Where once there were more than 200 distilleries, today there is only one. We suggest you seek out El Dorado 15 for an example of just how good Guyana rum can be!

Latin America is home to the lighter, fresher cocktail rums. The popularity of such spirit (with the advent of the recent cocktail revolution) has transformed the place into the most prolific region of all. It all started, however, with Bacardi, originally produced in Cuba before the country's factories were nationalised. Today, Bacardi is made in Puerto Rico, and the classic Carta Blanca remains a mainstay for many cocktails including the Daiquiri. Countries such as the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Venezuela and Trinidad play hosts to some of the world's top distilleries. Brands such as Ron Zacapa, Brugal and Pampero - among many others - are well worth a look.

Whilst not always thought of as a true rum, this introduction would not be complete without a mention of Cachaça. The famous spirit, made almost exclusively in Brazil, is traditionally enjoyed as part of a Caipirinha cocktail, and its production closely resembles Rhum Agricole. It is distilled from fermented sugar cane juice, and is bottled at between 38% and 54%ABV. One interesting aspect is the legally permissible addition of up to six grams of sugar per litre, giving the spirit additional sweetness. Varieties are sold both aged and unaged, with the former being a more premium style thanks to the extra complexity imbued by the use of wooden barrels. To sample some fine Cachaça, look for the superb distilleries Germana and Abelha. We recommend you enjoy the aged varieties neat, whilst the tangier white Cachaça is best drunk in the aforementioned Caipirinha - a cocktail made simply with two shots of Cachaça, half a lime and a couple of teaspoons of sugar. Delicious!

Recently, rum has surged in popularity. Its regard as a fine cocktail mixer is good and widespread and a number of the world's most popular drinks are rum-based - the Daiquiri and the Mojito being two prime examples. It is only recently, though, that our beloved rum has really been enjoyed en masse as a standalone beverage of true merit, and this new direction is excellent, for rum is as much a connoisseur's libation as any other dark spirit. Like all dark spirits, a stemmed tulip glass is best for optimum palate entry and for focusing the aroma.

Best Seller

Rumbullion!

70cl, 42.6%
Ableforth's

A sure-fire hit from Ableforth's, Rumbullion! is a cockle-warming spiced concoction, based on the kind of rich, full-bodied rums the seafaring fraternity would have enjoyed centuries ago. At the core…  More info

Rumbullion!
95
$39.69
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The Kraken Spiced Rum Copper Scar - 2022 Release

70cl, 40%
Kraken

Joining The Kraken Unknown Deep range of limited edition spiced rums comes the last bottle in the series (cue dramatic music): Copper Scar. This super dark, super spiced rum arrives in a copper gift…  More info

The Kraken Spiced Rum Copper Scar - 2022 Release
3
$40.70
Best Seller

Project #173 Black Cherry Rum

50cl, 42%
Project #173

The Project #173 range brings together the tastiness of rum and the tastiness of... Well, all sorts of tastiness! Specifically for this expression, the quality core of rum has teamed up with black…  More info

Project #173 Black Cherry Rum
23
$20.33
Best Seller

Depth Charge Spiced Rum

70cl, 40%
Depth Charge

Depth Charge Spiced Rum packs a big, powerful flavour profile, having been made with a fantastic base of Caribbean rum, a selection of tasty spices and generous helpings of lime and mandarin at its…  More info

Depth Charge Spiced Rum
21
$24.41
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Best Seller

Dunderhead Rum

70cl, 42%
Dunderhead

If you're a fan of rums that are packed to the brim with funky notes of overripe banana, pineapple, sharp oranges and the like, you might be a dunderhead. That's not an insult. It's another way of…  More info

Dunderhead Rum
14
$24.41
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Plantation XO Barbados 20th Anniversary

70cl, 40%
Plantation

A superb-looking decanter bottle of XO rum from Barbados, aged in bourbon barrels before being shipped to France for a secondary maturation in Cognac casks from the Ferrand house. The result is a…  More info

Plantation XO Barbados 20th Anniversary
83
$50.94
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Fallen Angel Spiced Rum

70cl, 41.3%
Fallen Angel

Fallen Angel has added another expression to its selection - this time is a lip-smacking spiced rum! Presented in a unique and somewhat startling black ceramic bottle, the rum is flavoured with a…  More info

Fallen Angel Spiced Rum
141
$49.92
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Project #173 Butterscotch Rum

50cl, 42%
Project #173

Butterscotch is one of those flavours that you find all over the shop in terms of aged spirits, but it's not very often that you see a spirit that really leans into it. This expression from the…  More info

Project #173 Butterscotch Rum
14
$20.33
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Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva

70cl, 40%
Diplomático

A snazzy looking rum all the way from Venezuela, Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva is a molasses based rum that is distilled in copper pot stills and matured in whiskey barrels. Top stuff for sipping…  More info

Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva
89
$41.73
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Havana Club Seleccion de Maestros

70cl, 45%
Havana Club

The new edition of Havana Club's very popular Cuban Barrel Proof, Seleccion de Maestros is a superb rum, bottled at higher strength.  More info

Havana Club Seleccion de Maestros
18
$55.99

Pusser's 'Gunpowder Proof' Black Label

70cl, 54.5%
Pusser's

Pusser's 'Gunpowder Proof' Black Label (previously known as Blue Label) is a higher proof traditional British Naval rum, produced using the blending recipe from the Admiralty. Well loved, it picked…  More info

Pusser's 'Gunpowder Proof' Black Label
70
$38.16
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Jaffa Cake Rum

70cl, 42%
Zesty Spirits

The folks behind the excellent Jaffa Cake Gin have gone ahead and found a new partner for the classic orangey, chocolatey treat - rum! Akin to its gin-based sibling, Jaffa Cake Rum is made with…  More info

Jaffa Cake Rum
36
$30.52
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Best Seller

Sunset Very Strong Rum

70cl, 84.5%
St. Vincent Distillers Ltd

An extremely high strength rum from Saint Vincent. This is distilled from molasses in a column still.  More info

Sunset Very Strong Rum
23
$43.76
Best Seller

Spiced Rum Tasting Set

15cl, 39.4%
Drinks by the Dram

If you love your rum, but you're looking for something a little different, spiced rums are definitely the way to go. Producers around the globe combine delicious rums with all sorts of tremendous…  More info

Spiced Rum Tasting Set
2
$25.42

Project #173 Salted Caramel Rum

50cl, 42%
Project #173

The pairing of sweet things with a touch of salt is a clever trick to have up your sleeve when it comes to culinary creativity. Salted caramel is a sweet example of that, geddit? Sweet? The addition…  More info

Project #173 Salted Caramel Rum
3
$20.33
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Don Papa Small Batch Rum

70cl, 40%
Don Papa

A richly flavoursome rum from the Philippines, inspired by the story of Papa Isio, who played a big part in the late-19th century Philippine revolution. The rum itself is made using sugar cane grown…  More info

Don Papa Small Batch Rum
75
$32.19
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J Wray and Nephew White Overproof

70cl, 63%
J Wray and Nephew

The best-selling high proof rum in the world. 90% of rum sales in Jamaica are of Wray and Nephew. Overproof is a very potent spirit indeed!  More info

J Wray and Nephew White Overproof
61
$29.99
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Secret Dominican 8 Year Old 2013 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

70cl, 58%
Master of Malt

Marvellous multi-column distilled rum from the Dominican Republic, matured for eight years in an ex-Maderia barrel between 2013 and 2021. That sentence alone ought to be enough to excite the rum fans…  More info

Secret Dominican 8 Year Old 2013 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
1
$45.80

Caroni 22 Year Old 1997 (Master of Malt)

70cl, 61.6%
Caroni

An absolute cracker of a rum from Trinidad's Caroni distillery, and we're proud to include it in our own collection of Master of Malt independent bottlings! This traditional column still expression…  More info

Caroni 22 Year Old 1997 (Master of Malt)
3
$254.68

Blackwell Rum Limited Edition 007

70cl, 40%
J Wray and Nephew

Chris Blackwell has released a Limited Edition 007 bottling of the Blackwell Fine Jamaican Rum! A particularly delicious Jamaican rum, with a rather snazzy bottle, too...  More info

Blackwell Rum Limited Edition 007
7
$35.61
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Project #173 Chocolate Rum

50cl, 42%
Project #173

If you fancy introducing the deliciousness of chocolate to your cocktails and mixed drinks, but don't quite fancy sticking a chocolate bar in your glass (or something like that), the Project #173…  More info

Project #173 Chocolate Rum
16
$20.33
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Best Seller

Engenho Novo da Madeira 3 Year Old 2016 (Master of Malt)

70cl, 58.3%
Engenho Novo da Madeira

When an ex-Amarone barrique of Madeiran column still rum from Engenho Novo came our way, we didn't have to think twice. It's just the sort of thing to fit right into our own indie bottling range, so…  More info

Engenho Novo da Madeira 3 Year Old 2016 (Master of Malt)
4
$40.70
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Ron Zacapa Centenario Sistema Solera 23

70cl, 40%
Ron Zacapa

A favourite here at Master of Malt, this is a truly superb Guatemalan rum, blended using the solera system, and including rums aged between six and 23 years. Sublime stuff, matured in a mix of…  More info

Ron Zacapa Centenario Sistema Solera 23
50
$54.46
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Best Seller

Plantation XO Barbados 20th Anniversary Gift Pack with 2x Glasses

70cl, 40%
Plantation

An extremely smart gift pack from Plantation, containing its glorious XO Barbados 20th Anniversary edition, accompanied by a handsome pair of drinking glasses. This delightful rum is distilled in…  More info

Plantation XO Barbados 20th Anniversary Gift Pack with 2x Glasses
2
$55.99
Price Drop

Appleton Estate 12 Year Old Rare Casks

70cl, 43%
Appleton Estate

Previously known as Appleton Estate 12 Year Old Rare Blend, this expression from the extraordinary Jamaican rum range is truly fantastic stuff. Matured for at least a dozen years in oak casks, this…  More info

Appleton Estate 12 Year Old Rare Casks
5
$44.05
$42.78

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