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 known 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 method 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 giant.) 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 value periodically revisiting the query to account for present manufacturers and recipes.
What follows are 9 rum types value 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 you probably have at the very least one bottle from every fashion.
I devised the 9 types by extensively reviewing lots of of recipes from 1934 to the current, together with these in immediately’s well-liked recipe books. I then positioned the 9 types into two teams: Fundamentals and Past the Fundamentals. I recommend beginning with the six Fundamentals types and increasing into the Past the Fundamentals types afterward.
I present quite a few examples for every fashion to assist make the standards clear. Whereas the rums inside a method will definitely have taste variations, the tip end result will likely be shut sufficient for many palates as soon as they’re intermingled with the opposite daring flavors in tiki recipes.
The picks are biased in the direction of manufacturers and expressions that must 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 strategies are rums you may discover usually utilized in a craft tiki bar’s properly.
The set of rums listed for a method is just not all-inclusive. Nor will each rum below the solar fall into certainly one of these classes—that is anticipated. The main target is simply the rums that can discover probably the most frequent use in tiki recipes.
The types introduced 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 so on. As a substitute, the types under derive from the flavour profiles most frequently utilized in tiki recipes, no matter how they have been distilled and blended. Readers of Minimalist Tiki will be aware that the Fundamentals types principally map to the guide’s types, whereas the Past the Fundamentals types got here into use within the fashionable Tiki period.
Relating to fashion names: The fashion names are chosen to convey what differentiates every fashion from the others. They’re not brief and catchy like “white rum” or “Black Jamaican rum,” nevertheless it’s well worth the effort to really perceive what the fashion encompasses relatively than falling again on worn-out tropes like white, gold, darkish, and overproof.
Tiki Rum Fundamentals
These six rum types 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 a substitute, 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 types under. When an previous recipe requires a Martinique rum, you possibly can moderately substitute a moderately-aged Jamaican rum.
Observe 2: Many fashionable recipes name for “151 rum” with out extra {qualifications}. This can be a horrible concept. Nevertheless, Demerara rums at 151 proof are distinct sufficient and known as for occasionally sufficient to be their very own fashion.
The six Primary types comprise:
- Jamaican – Reasonably aged
- Jamaican – Caramel ahead
- Calmly Aged and Filtered
- Reasonably aged
- Demerara – Reasonably Aged
- Demerara – 151 proof, flippantly aged
Jamaican Rum – Reasonably aged
Rums of this fashion 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 fashion is between 40% and 46% ABV.
Showcase cocktail: Traditional 1944 Mai Tai
Main Examples
- Appleton Signature / Appleton 8 12 months
- J. Wray / Kingston 62 Gold
- Plantation Xaymaca
- Monymusk Traditional Gold
- Rum-Bar Gold
Smith & Cross is conceptually inside this fashion. Nevertheless, due to its greater power (57% ABV), you need to regulate how a lot you employ until the recipe particularly requires Smith & Cross or one other high-strength aged Jamaican rum.
Jamaican Rum – Caramel ahead (“darkish”)
This fashion is expounded to the reasonably aged Jamaican fashion above however with a key distinction. Rums on this fashion use sufficient caramel coloring to affect the flavour considerably and switch the rum darkish. These rums are sometimes called “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 unique fashion could increase questions in some quarters. Up to now, Jamaican rum makers have been usually a bit heavy handed with their house-made caramel coloring, and the affect on taste was noticeable. Lately, most coloring makes use of a unique 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 fashionable Jamaicans like Appleton Signature and Plantation Xaymaca.
Showcase cocktail: Hurricane
Main Examples
- Coruba Darkish
- Myers’s Authentic Darkish
- Worthy Park 109 (however regulate for power)
- Hamilton Jamaican Black (unaged)
Calmly Aged and Filtered
These rums characterize 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 an excellent description for any previous rum that occurs to be clear.
All rums on this fashion are aged, even when just for a 12 months. After growing older, they cross by carbon filters that take away the colour whereas retaining most aging-induced flavors. Many articles mistakenly check with this fashion as unaged rum.
Calmly aged and filtered rums are a signature fashion of Spanish-heritage rum makers and are the right fashion for making a traditional daiquiri or mojito. Nevertheless, rum makers outdoors Spanish-heritage nations additionally make glorious rums on this fashion. Assume Trinidad, Barbados, and Guyana.
The goal ABV for rums on this fashion is between 40% and 46% ABV.
Showcase cocktail: Traditional Daiquiri
Main Examples
- Bacardi Superior
- Havana Membership 3
- Diplomatico Planas
- Don Q Cristal
- Flor de Caña 4 Additional 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 Gentle
- Captain Morgan White
Reasonably Aged
Some rum types deliver daring and distinctive flavors that stand out in a recipe. Different types present the rhythm monitor beneath, current, however not essentially taking the lead function. The reasonably aged fashion is the latter.
Rum of this fashion have sufficient growing older to be mellowed however aren’t as refined as their longer-aged siblings. The flavour of those rums derives extra from growing older than from unique fermentations. I name these rums growing older ahead. Image vanilla and oak relatively than overripe banana and grassy flavors.
Reasonably aged rums of this fashion are sometimes 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 fashion 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 elements, together with the usage of 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 fashion 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, flippantly aged
This fashion is expounded to the reasonably aged Demerara fashion above, however with two essential 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 a tendency to have extra caramel coloring flavors and a darker shade due to, properly… extra caramel coloring!
The goal ABV for rums on this fashion 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
Whilst you can go far with the rums within the Fundamentals types above, you’ll inevitably wish to add extra to your portfolio. These Past the Fundamentals rums primarily discover use in tiki revival period recipes. The Past the Fundamentals types comprise:
- Jamaican Rum – Overproof, unaged
- Cane Juice Rum – Unaged
- Blended Multi-Area Rum – Clear
Jamaican – Overproof unaged
Jamaican overproof rum is kind of totally different than the 2 Jamaican types within the Fundamentals set. They’re fermented to include excessive quantities of esters/funk, are devoid of any growing older 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 immediately’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 totally different taste usually described as “grassy.” The rhum agricoles of Martinique and Guadeloupe are flagship examples of this fashion. Nevertheless, cane juice rum from different areas has grow to be extra widespread previously 5 years.
Cachaça, Brazil’s nationwide spirit, can also be constructed from 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 fashion 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 do you have to encounter a recipe calling for an aged cane juice spirit, soar in with each toes!
Main Examples
- Martinique/Guadeloupe unaged (“blanc”) rhum agricole, e.g., Saint-James, Clement, J.M, Damoiseau, and so on.
- Unaged cachaca, e.g., Avua Prata, Novo Fogo Silver, and so on.
- Copalli White
Showcase cocktail: Ti Punch
Blended Multi-Area Rum – Clear
This fashion consists of blends of a number of rums with totally different taste profiles. Some could also be aged, others unaged. It truly is an “something goes if it tastes good” class.
An indicator 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 well-liked examples being Banks 5 Island (2010) and Plantation 3 Stars (2012).
Blended multi-region rums sometimes discover use in daiquiris and their many variations. Many individuals deal with this fashion and Calmly Aged and Filtered as the identical factor, e.g., “white rum.” They’re distinct types, nonetheless! Style them side-by-side should you’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 fashion record.
Showcase cocktail: Daiquiri — as a substitute for the Traditional daiquiri utilizing flippantly 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 types above are model agnostic, two rums are used repeatedly in dozens of well-liked Tiki recipes. Since neither match inside the types 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 selected 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 gaggle 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 regularly used rather than 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.
Remaining Phrases
Each devoted Tiki-loving bartender is aware of that rum is a journey, not a vacation spot. The types introduced listed here are what I’d begin with if I solely had room for 9 (or eleven) bottles. Whereas they don’t cowl each state of affairs, they are going to get you properly underway in making Tiki drinks with out shopping for dozens of rums. And should you’re like many people tiki-heads, you’ll find yourself with lots of of bottles inside a number of years. Simply don’t say I didn’t warn you!
