Wherever Tiki geeks collect, one query invariably arises, “I’m new to Tiki; what rums ought to I begin with?” It’s comprehensible as a result of the sheer amount of various rums referred to as for in recipes can simply overwhelm the newcomer.
A while in the past, I took a stab at answering the query for recipes originating in tiki’s golden period.” My article, The Six Important Tiki Rum Classes, is excerpted from the statistics-based strategy I adopted when writing the Minimalist Tiki guide. (Golden period refers back to the mid-20th century when Don the Beachcomber and Dealer Vic loomed massive.) Nevertheless, occasions and rum manufacturers change. Immediately’s tiki hotshots use rums that weren’t out there many years in the past. Thus, it’s price periodically revisiting the query to account for present manufacturers and recipes.
What follows are 9 rum kinds price proudly owning if making a large spectrum of Tiki/tropical drinks is your mission. You can also make virtually any tiki recipe with affordable constancy in case you have not less than one bottle from every type.
I devised the 9 kinds by extensively reviewing lots of of recipes from 1934 to the current, together with these in right this moment’s fashionable recipe books. I then positioned the 9 kinds into two teams: Fundamentals and Past the Fundamentals. I counsel beginning with the six Fundamentals kinds and increasing into the Past the Fundamentals kinds afterward.
I present quite a few examples for every type to assist make the factors clear. Whereas the rums inside a method will definitely have taste variations, the top end result can be shut sufficient for many palates as soon as they’re intermingled with the opposite daring flavors in tiki recipes.
The alternatives are biased in direction of manufacturers and expressions that ought to be moderately out there in main markets, together with the US, the UK, and the EU. The expressions listed are additionally biased towards rums which can be absolutely as much as the duty whereas moderately economical. Appleton Signature and Appleton 21 Yr are each aged Jamaican rums, however the 21 prices a number of occasions greater than the Signature. The delicate nuances revealed whereas having fun with Appleton 21 in a snifter can get misplaced within the cacophony of lime juice, orgeat, and passionfruit. Likewise, El Dorado 5 Yr and 15 Yr are each aged Demerara rums, however the 5 Yr will get the job finished and is extra budget-friendly. If you wish to make a “Millionaire Mai Tai” utilizing Appleton Legend, go for it! Simply perceive that my options are rums you may discover often utilized in a craft tiki bar’s properly.
The set of rums listed for a method shouldn’t be all-inclusive. Nor will each rum beneath the solar fall into one in every of these classes—that is anticipated. The main target is simply the rums that may discover essentially the most frequent use in tiki recipes.
The kinds offered right here aren’t rigorously outlined by technical manufacturing standards just like the Smuggler’s Cove classification makes use of, e.g., pot nonetheless, column nonetheless, blended, and many others. As an alternative, the kinds beneath derive from the flavour profiles most frequently utilized in tiki recipes, no matter how they had been distilled and blended. Readers of Minimalist Tiki will observe that the Fundamentals kinds principally map to the guide’s kinds, whereas the Past the Fundamentals kinds got here into use within the trendy Tiki period.
Concerning type names: The type names are chosen to convey what differentiates every type from the others. They’re not brief and catchy like “white rum” or “Black Jamaican rum,” but it surely’s definitely worth the effort to really perceive what the type encompasses quite than falling again on worn-out tropes like white, gold, darkish, and overproof.
Tiki Rum Fundamentals
These six rum kinds get you began making golden-era recipes just like the Mai Tai, Zombie, Navy Grog, and Three Dots and a Sprint.
Observe 1: in the course of the golden period, “Martinique rum” was not rhum agricole, i.e., cane juice rum. As an alternative, the Martinique rum out there to bartenders was molasses-based and described by Dealer Vic as near Jamaican rum in taste. Thus, rhum agricole isn’t among the many Fundamentals kinds beneath. When an outdated recipe requires a Martinique rum, you’ll be able to moderately substitute a moderately-aged Jamaican rum.
Observe 2: Many trendy recipes name for “151 rum” with out further {qualifications}. It is a horrible thought. Nevertheless, Demerara rums at 151 proof are distinct sufficient and referred to as for occasionally sufficient to be their very own type.
The six Fundamental kinds comprise:
- Jamaican – Reasonably aged
- Jamaican – Caramel ahead
- Flippantly Aged and Filtered
- Reasonably aged
- Demerara – Reasonably Aged
- Demerara – 151 proof, calmly aged
Jamaican Rum – Reasonably aged
Rums of this type have a average quantity of the “funk” or “hogo” that Jamaican rum is legendary for. They aren’t high-ester taste bombs like Hampden Property DOK.
The goal ABV for rums on this type is between 40% and 46% ABV.
Showcase cocktail: Basic 1944 Mai Tai
Main Examples
- Appleton Signature / Appleton 8 12 months
- J. Wray / Kingston 62 Gold
- Plantation Xaymaca
- Monymusk Basic Gold
- Rum-Bar Gold
Smith & Cross is conceptually inside this type. Nevertheless, due to its larger power (57% ABV), it’s best to alter how a lot you utilize until the recipe particularly requires Smith & Cross or one other high-strength aged Jamaican rum.
Jamaican Rum – Caramel ahead (“darkish”)
This type is expounded to the reasonably aged Jamaican type above however with a key distinction. Rums on this type use sufficient caramel coloring to affect the flavour considerably and switch the rum darkish. These rums are also known as “darkish Jamaican rum” or “black Jamaican rum” and are sometimes discovered floating atop a less-than-authentic “Mai Tai.”
Defining Jamaican caramel ahead rums as a distinct type could increase questions in some quarters. Prior to now, Jamaican rum makers had been typically a bit of heavy handed with their house-made caramel coloring, and the affect on taste was noticeable. Today, most coloring makes use of a distinct kind of caramel that’s utilized in lesser quantities and doesn’t change the flavour as a lot. My take is that there’s room for old-school, caramel-heavy Jamaican rum and trendy Jamaicans like Appleton Signature and Plantation Xaymaca.
Showcase cocktail: Hurricane
Main Examples
- Coruba Darkish
- Myers’s Unique Darkish
- Worthy Park 109 (however alter for power)
- Hamilton Jamaican Black (unaged)
Flippantly Aged and Filtered
These rums symbolize what “white rum” meant many years in the past earlier than cane juice rums and blended multi-style blends got here on the scene. Immediately, “white rum” isn’t a superb description for any outdated rum that occurs to be clear.
All rums on this type are aged, even when just for a 12 months. After ageing, they go by way of carbon filters that take away the colour whereas retaining most aging-induced flavors. Many articles mistakenly check with this type as unaged rum.
Flippantly aged and filtered rums are a signature type of Spanish-heritage rum makers and are the right type for making a traditional daiquiri or mojito. Nevertheless, rum makers outdoors Spanish-heritage nations additionally make wonderful rums on this type. Assume Trinidad, Barbados, and Guyana.
The goal ABV for rums on this type is between 40% and 46% ABV.
Showcase cocktail: Basic Daiquiri
Main Examples
- Bacardi Superior
- Havana Membership 3
- Diplomatico Planas
- Don Q Cristal
- Flor de Caña 4 Further Seco
- Selvarey White
- El Dorado 3 Yr
- Diamond Reserve White
- Doorly’s White
- Angostura White Oak
- Bounty White
- Chairman’s Reserve Silver
- Cruzan Property Diamond Mild
- Captain Morgan White
Reasonably Aged
Some rum kinds carry daring and distinctive flavors that stand out in a recipe. Different kinds present the rhythm monitor beneath, current, however not essentially taking the lead position. The reasonably aged type is the latter.
Rum of this type have sufficient ageing to be mellowed however aren’t as refined as their longer-aged siblings. The flavour of those rums derives extra from ageing than from unique fermentations. I name these rums ageing ahead. Image vanilla and oak quite than overripe banana and grassy flavors.
Reasonably aged rums of this type are usually partially or absolutely column distilled. This doesn’t imply that the uncooked distillate is flavorless, nonetheless. Many producers mix a flavorful medium-bodied column distillate (“aguardiente”) with lighter rums.
The goal ABV for rums on this type is between 40% and 46% ABV.
Main Examples
- Bacardi Gold / Cuatro (4 12 months)
- Don Q Gold / Reserva 7 Yr
- Havana Membership Especial / 7 Yr
- Cruzan Aged Darkish
- Tanduay Gold
- Brugal Añejo
- Flor de Caña 4 Añejo Oro
- Angostura 5 Yr
- Doorly’s 5 Yr
- Mount Homosexual Eclipse / Black Barrel
- Bounty Premium Darkish
Demerara Rum – Reasonably aged
Rums from Guyana, aka “Demerara rums,” are well-known for his or her signature taste profile. These flavors derive from a number of components, together with using wood pot stills, which make an uncommon and simply identifiable distillate. The mineral content material of Guyana’s groundwater and the nation’s longtime use of caramel coloring additionally contribute to Demerara rum’s distinctive taste. Many golden period recipes particularly name for Demerara rum due to these flavors.
The goal ABV for rums on this type is between 40% and 46% ABV.
Main Examples
- El Dorado 5 Yr
- Diamond Reserve Darkish
- Lemon Hart 1804
- Hamilton Guyana (86 proof)
- Pusser’s (Blue Label)
- Skipper Previous Demerara
Demerara Rum – 151 Proof, calmly aged
This type is expounded to the reasonably aged Demerara type above, however with two vital distinctions past simply alcoholic power. First, the 151 Demeraras are rougher across the edges as a result of they’ve not aged as lengthy. Secondly, they have an inclination to have extra caramel coloring flavors and a darker colour due to, properly… extra caramel coloring!
The goal ABV for rums on this type is 75.5% ABV. See right here for why this specific power was chosen.
Showcase cocktail: 151 Swizzle
Main Examples
- Lemon Hart 151
- Diamond Reserve Demerara 151 (not the “white” overproof)
- Hamilton Guyana 151
- Pusser’s Choose Aged 151
Past the Fundamentals
When you can go far with the rums within the Fundamentals kinds above, you’ll inevitably need to add extra to your portfolio. These Past the Fundamentals rums primarily discover use in tiki revival period recipes. The Past the Fundamentals kinds comprise:
- Jamaican Rum – Overproof, unaged
- Cane Juice Rum – Unaged
- Blended Multi-Area Rum – Clear
Jamaican – Overproof unaged
Jamaican overproof rum is sort of completely different than the 2 Jamaican kinds within the Fundamentals set. They’re fermented to include excessive quantities of esters/funk, are devoid of any ageing refinements, and are bottled at 63% to 65% ABV. Jamaican overproofs are as delicate as an air-raid siren, so many recipes name for under a half-ounce or much less. They weren’t out there to Vic and Don in the course of the golden period however have discovered immense reputation with right this moment’s tiki practitioners.
Showcase cocktail: Jasper’s Punch
Main Examples
- Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum
- Rum Hearth
- Rum-Bar White Overproof Rum
- Monymusk Overproof White Overproof Rum
Cane Juice Rum (“Agricole”) – Unaged
Simply as Jamaican rums are immediately recognizable from their fermentation flavors, so are cane juice rums, though a really completely different taste typically described as “grassy.” The rhum agricoles of Martinique and Guadeloupe are flagship examples of this type. Nevertheless, cane juice rum from different areas has grow to be extra widespread previously 5 years.
Cachaça, Brazil’s nationwide spirit, can be comprised of cane juice. Whereas I received’t say that rhum agricole and cachaça are indistinguishable, the excellence could matter much less within the tide of tart citrus, fruit syrups and spices. Don’t hesitate to get each, nonetheless!
Observe: This type is explicitly unaged rums. Whereas aged rhum agricole and cachaça work properly in cocktails, most tiki recipes name for his or her unaged variants. However must you encounter a recipe calling for an aged cane juice spirit, soar in with each ft!
Main Examples
- Martinique/Guadeloupe unaged (“blanc”) rhum agricole, e.g., Saint-James, Clement, J.M, Damoiseau, and many others.
- Unaged cachaca, e.g., Avua Prata, Novo Fogo Silver, and many others.
- Copalli White
Showcase cocktail: Ti Punch
Blended Multi-Area Rum – Clear
This type consists of blends of a number of rums with completely different taste profiles. Some could also be aged, others unaged. It truly is an “something goes if it tastes good” class.
A trademark of blended multi-region rums is the inclusion of Jamaica rum so as to add a little bit of hogo with out overwhelming the opposite rums. These rums are comparatively new to the rum scene, with the earliest fashionable examples being Banks 5 Island (2010) and Plantation 3 Stars (2012).
Blended multi-region rums usually discover use in daiquiris and their many variations. Many individuals deal with this type and Flippantly Aged and Filtered as the identical factor, e.g., “white rum.” They’re distinct kinds, nonetheless! Style them side-by-side if you happen to’re not satisfied.
Blended multi-region rums are available each clear and gold incarnations, the latter normally having aged longer. Nevertheless, I’ve restricted the choice to clear blended rums for this type checklist.
Showcase cocktail: Daiquiri — as an alternative choice to the Basic daiquiri utilizing calmly aged and filtered rum.
Main Examples
- Banks 5 Island
- Plantation 3 Stars
- Denizen Aged White
- Probita/Veritas
- Ten To One White
- Tiki Lovers White
Bonus Rums
Whereas the 9 kinds above are model agnostic, two rums are used repeatedly in dozens of fashionable Tiki recipes. Since neither match throughout the kinds above, I’ve included them as bonus rums to contemplate.
Plantation Stiggins’ Fancy
Whereas pineapple-flavored rum has been round for hundreds of years, Plantation’s Stiggins Fancy has a specific taste profile that bartenders embrace.
Showcase cocktails: Stiggins’ Daiquiri or The Reverend’s Tai
Plantation O.F.T.D. Overproof Rum
A collaboration between Plantation’s Alexandre Gabriel and a bunch of high-profile bartenders and writers to make the “final overproof” rum for a variety of tiki recipes. The mix consists of Jamaican, Guyanese, and Barbados rums bottled at 69% ABV. It’s continuously used instead of Demerara 151 rums when the latter isn’t out there.
Showcase cocktail: O.F.T.D. Swizzle — a 151 Swizzle, substituting O.F.T.D. for the Demerara 151 rum.
Ultimate Phrases
Each devoted Tiki-loving bartender is aware of that rum is a journey, not a vacation spot. The kinds offered listed below are what I’d begin with if I solely had room for 9 (or eleven) bottles. Whereas they don’t cowl each scenario, they are going to get you properly underway in making Tiki drinks with out shopping for dozens of rums. And if you happen to’re like many people tiki-heads, you’ll find yourself with lots of of bottles inside a couple of years. Simply don’t say I didn’t warn you!
