RUM AT BARNONE
THE WORLD OF RUM
What was once the catalyst for the birth of nations, Rum is no longer the forgotten spirit of the world. It helped create capitalism and thereby colonialism, still found centre stage, as we move into a globalised world.
Rum people have been pirates, smugglers, artists, blenders and even barmen. Rum was the original currency for slavery; it made some people vast fortunes and helped others forget their misery. It gave sailors and soldiers courage in battle; was at the heart of prohibition and has been at the centre of trade wars. Yet Rum is consistently under rated and undervalued.
Rum-making is a living process. Each producer has developed its own signature style through an amalgam of chance, technology, personal preference and pure commerce.
AUSTRALIAN RUM
Australia has had a long association with rum. It was indeed a form of currency in the early colonial days, when it was used to pay convicts for their labour. Beenleigh produced Australia’s first commercial rum in 1860. Thankfully we have come a long way in this time and Inner Circle have opened the Australian market up to some fine rums.
Inner Circle Green Dot 57.2% 9
DISTILLATION: Traditional – Pot Stills ORIGIN: Pyrmont, Australia
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Inner Circle Rum
RATING AGED FOR: 8 Years MADE FROM: Fijian Sugar Cane
Recommended with fresh lime and dry ginger ale. This multi award winning Australian dark rum was created by the colonial sugar refinery. A smooth flavoursome rum made from pot stills, with sweet caramel and vanilla on the nose.
Inner Circle Black Dot 75.9% 11
DISTILLATION: Traditional – Pot Stills ORIGIN: Pyrmont, Australia
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Inner Circle Rum
RATING AGED FOR: 8 Years MADE FROM: Fijian Sugar Cane
WOW, Inner Circle Black Dot Rum is 75.9% alcohol… Considering the high level of ABV, this rum is actually quite spectacular. Sweet and thick with nutty sweetness. A well made example of a high strength rum.
BARBADOS RUM
Barbados was where English sugar merchants realised they could make millions out of sugar. Even when Jamaica and then Guyana overtook Barbados in production volume, the island continued to make and export its rums, and like those two great rum nations, its distillers kept faith with tradition. Barbados runs on rum. Rum is crucial to their sense of identity. Mount Gay’s founder, Aubrey Ward, was a white planted who allegedly fathered ninety children. When he died, he left his estate to them all. Rum in Barbados is still alive and well today thanks to the efforts of the Ward family and the children of Aubrey Ward.
Mount Gay ‘Extra Old’ 43.0% 12
DISTILLATION: Century old copper pot still ORIGIN: St Michael, Barbados
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Groupe Remy-Cointreau Brandons
RATING AGED FOR: 12 Years MADE FROM: Freshly cut Sugar Cane
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: More obvious pot-still component and maturity. Great weight with chocolate and oak, fennel seed, tobacco and cashew nut nose. The palate is gentle, sweet, with a rich mid palate showing spice and more fruit. The finish is rich and full and this is a perfect Barbadian rum. Easily worth the 5 star rating.
BRAZILIAN RUM
Brazil is the worlds largest producer of sugar cane, strictly speaking however, its best known spirit isin’t Rum, its Cachaca. Cachaca is produced from fermented sugar cane juice and then blended with sugar and water to reduce its strength. As Brazil tries to regain its economy, Cachaca and molasses are providing important export dollars. Poverty and the abuse of Cachaca are a huge problem in Brazil. However, by bringing in foreign currency, cachaca may in fact be part of the solution. Isin’t rum so complex!
Ypioca Cane Basket Cachaca 39.0% 8
DISTILLATION: Twice Pot Distilled ORIGIN: Ceara, Brazil
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Ypioca Agroindustrial Lida
RATING AGED FOR: 1 Year MADE FROM: Freshly cut Sugar Cane
Recommended as a Caipirinha, a traditional Brasilian cocktail similar to a Caipiroska.. Cachaca is made from the liquid centre of freshly cut sugar cane, distilled only twice, ensuring a rich harshness not found in most rums. This is perfect served in a Caipirinha
CUBAN RUM
Life in Cuba ain’t easy and it isin’t made any simpler by America’s economic boycott of all things Cuban. Rum, as ever, is part of this. Barbados may have been the first; Jamaica may have added its own intense spin on proceedings. But the island that first elevated rum from an interesting to a modern classic spirit was Cuba. This largest of Caribbean islands is the cradle for most of the world’s great rum-based cocktails and is home to some of the finest barmen on the planet. In 1861, there were 125 distilleries attached to the sugar plantations. Cuba is largely the home of rum.
Havana Club ‘Anejo Blanco’ 40.0% 7.5
DISTILLATION: Column Stills ORIGIN: La Havana, Cuba
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Cuban Government & Pernod Ricard
RATING AGED FOR: 6 months MADE FROM: Cane derived sugar
Recommended with fresh lime and dry ginger ale. A clear rum with an attractive, slightly sandy tones and delicate aromas reminiscent of its origins: sugar cane and white oak barrels. It is smooth on the palate with traces of vanilla and lemon zest.
Havana Club ‘Anejo Reserva’ 40.0% 8
DISTILLATION: Column Stills ORIGIN: La Havana, Cuba
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Cuban Government & Pernod Ricard
RATING AGED FOR: Blended Ages MADE FROM: Cane derived sugar
Recommended on ice with fresh lime. Anejo reserva is an elegant Cuban rum. A well-balanced blend combining a powerful taste with light aromas. Distinct flavours of espresso, cocoa and caramel. Round and smooth.
Havana Club ‘Anejo 7 Anos’ 40.0% 11
DISTILLATION: Column Stills ORIGIN: La Havana, Cuba
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Cuban Government & Pernod Ricard
RATING AGED FOR: 7 Years MADE FROM: Cane derived sugar
Recommended on ice with a small amount of lime. Coffee in colour with nose of cinnamon, nutmeg and caramelised fruits. Powerful palate with balancing dried wood and tobacco leaf. The very first rum in the Havana Club range intended for drinking on its own. A good quality rum and a nice price.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC RUM – Made in Cuban Style
Dominican Republic rums are the closest in style to their Cuban cousins: soft, gentle, column-still spirits showing smooth elegance from maturation in American Oak.
Matusalem Platino 40.0% 7.5
DISTILLATION: Continuous Distillation ORIGIN: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
DISTILLER OWNED BY: Matusalem Co USA
RATING AGED FOR: 6 months MADE FROM: Cane derived sugar
RECOMMENDED: Recommended on ice with fresh lime. This premium white rum is a unique blend of triple distilled, hand-crafted spirits, joined in a special process and filtered and refined to create a delicate balance. Very delicate and light on the nose with hints of gardenia. Great flavours on the palate with depth and character.
Matusalem Classico 40.0% 9.5
DISTILLATION: Continuous Distillation ORIGIN: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Matusalem USA
RATING AGED FOR: 10 years MADE FROM: Cane derived sugar
Recommended on ice with fresh lime. A classic golden rum made in the traditional Cuban style. Made from select rums aged in new world oak and married in a 10 year solera system.
Matusalem Gran Reserva 40.0% 11
DISTILLATION: Continuous Distillation PRODUCED: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Matusalem USA
RATING AGED FOR: 15 years MADE FROM: Cane derived sugar
RECOMMENDED: Recommended on ice with fresh lime. The 15 Year Old Gran Reserva rum is velvety smooth, with an exceptional bouquet and delicate flavours of vanilla, molasses and caramel. A mellow, rich and exquisitely refined rum.
GUATEMALAN RUM
There is no doubt that Ron Zacapa Centenario is one of the greatest rums in the world. With an average age of 23 years, this rum is aged in a double solera in warehouses that sit at 2,332m. And whatever the reason, the rum is nothing less than exceptional.
Ron Zacapa ‘Centenario’ 40.0% 24
DISTILLATION: Continuous Distillation ORIGIN: Guatemala City, Guatemala
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala
RATING AGED FOR: 23 years MADE FROM: Freshly cut sugar cane
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Recommended neat… what other way would you drink the nectar of the Gods… WOW! Ruby red to copper colour with chestnut, honey, morello cherry on the nose with subtle hints of smoky wood and dried tarragon. Sweet palate with a rich mouth feel. A huge impressive and showy rum.
GUYANA RUM
Guyana may be located in South America, but it thinks of itself as Caribbean. Have you ever wondered why British people always refer to brown sugar as ‘Demerara’? well, its quite simple… Demerara sugar was the main constituent of all British navy rum during the 18th century. They own and use the last wooden Coffey still in the world.
El Dorado ’12 year Old’ 40.0% 12
DISTILLATION: Continuous Distillation ORIGIN: Georgetown, Guyana
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Demerara Distillers
RATING AGED FOR: 12 years MADE FROM: Molasses
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Recommended on ice with fresh lime. This premium white rum is a unique blend of triple distilled, hand-crafted spirits, joined in a special process and filtered and refined to create a delicate balance. Very delicate and light on the nose with hints of gardenia. Great flavours on the palate with depth and character.
JAMAiCIAN RUM – Made in Cuban Style
Having a rum close by is part of Jamaican life. This is a country with the highest number of bars per capita in the world. Rum is so much part of Jamaica that even non drinkers have a bottle of Wray & Nephew in the house. Jamaica is a desperately poor country, yet rich at the same time. Rum shacks, people selling coconut, fish-fryers, shrimp sellers and rastas line the road. While rum will never overtake sugar in economic importance, every Appleton Estate rum you drink essentially helps rebuild the economy of Jamaica.
Appleton Estate V/X 40.0% 7.5
DISTILLATION: Traditional Pot Distillation ORIGIN: Nassau Valley, Jamaica
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Wray & Nephew
RATING AGED FOR: up to 10 years MADE FROM: Freshly cut sugar cane
RECOMMENDED: Recommended with fresh lime and soda, maybe try with a dash of dry ginger ale. A fine aged rum has been distilled since 1749. Born in old copper stills and aged in Oak casks, the rich full flavour of Appleton Estate is the ultimate expression of the rum makers fine art. A soft and lightly chewy palate with hints of banana and nutmeg to balance the oak. A lightly spicy finish.
TRY THIS RUM IN A: Mojito
Watermelon Man
Devout Rastafarian
Appleton Estate Reserve 1749 40.0% 9
DISTILLATION: Traditional Pot Distillation ORIGIN: Nassau Valley, Jamaica
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Wray & Nephew
RATING AGED FOR: up to 12 years MADE FROM: Freshly cut sugar cane
RECOMMENDED: Recommended with a squeeze of fresh lime on ice. The Estate Reserve 1749 is created from specially selected stocks of rum that were distilled in old copper pot stills and aged in oak casks, this full bodied rum is the ultimate expression of the rum-makers art. A rich amber colour with hints of honey spices and dried wood on the nose. The palate shows off the true Jamaican style of rum, sweet fruits, chocolate yet still very elegant.
Appleton Estate EXTRA 43.0% 10
DISTILLATION: Traditional Pot Distillation ORIGIN: Nassau Valley, Jamaica
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Wray & Nephew
RATING AGED FOR: min 12 years MADE FROM: Freshly cut sugar cane
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Recommended with a squeeze of fresh lime on ice. The long years of tropical ageing gives Appleton Estate Extra its mahogany hue, bold character and smooth taste which invite favourable comparison to the world's finest cognacs and scotches. One of the great rums of the world. An amber colour with coppery glints. A great pot –still weight on the nose with amazing complexity and structure. The palate unfolds beautifully with chocolate, sweet fruits and balanced, dry oak. It is ripe, mature and elegant.
Appleton Estate 21 Year Old 43.0% 25
DISTILLATION: Traditional Pot Distillation ORIGIN: Nassau Valley, Jamaica
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Wray & Nephew
RATING AGED FOR: 21 years MADE FROM: Freshly cut sugar cane
MORE THAN HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: RECOMMENDED NEAT!. This is without doubt one of the greatest rums in the world. The long years of tropical ageing gives Appleton Estate Extra its mahogany hue, bold character and smooth taste which invite favourable comparison to the world's finest cognacs and scotches. This is an exceptional rum.
NEPALESE RUM
Khukri Coronation XXX 42.8% 8
DISTILLATION: Three Column Stills ORIGIN: Kathmandu, Nepal
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Nepalese Government
RATING AGED FOR: 6 years MADE FROM: Molasses Based
Recommended with fresh lime and dry ginger. Reddish mahogany in colour with vanilla pod and cream on the nose. A palate that is lightly perfumed. Sweet start with a nutty and woody mid palate with a crisp and oaky finish. This is a well made characterful spirit that is a welcome addition to the wide, weird world of rum.
PUERTO RICAN RUM
Between them, Cuba and Puerto Rico changed the way people think about rum. They developed a new style. A rum that is lighter and appealed to the publics changing tastes.
Bacardi 8 Year Old 40.0% 8.5
DISTILLATION: Copper pot still ORIGIN: San Juan, Puerto Rico
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Bacardi International
RATING AGED FOR: 8 Years MADE FROM: Freshly cut Sugar Cane
RECOMMENDED: Old Gold colour with quite a perfumed mature nose, showing signs of orange peel, honey, aniseed, mint and oak. The palate shows a mix of sweet spices with ripe apricot and banana, with a medium bodied mouth feel. A lovely rum… proof that Bacardi can compete at the top end.
TRINIDAD RUM
There are few places in the world where people seem to take such pleasure in just being alive. They take their rum very very seriously. Angostura distillery in Trinidad is one of the most advanced rum making facilities in the world. This is rum-making as a science. The world needs more rum producers like this.
Angostura 1919 40.0% 13
DISTILLATION: Copper pot still ORIGIN: Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: C.L. Global Brands
RATING AGED FOR: 8 Years MADE FROM: Freshly cut Sugar Cane
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Gold colour. More serious nose with a blended heavier spirit adding richness and extra complexity. Still quite light and sweet with vanilla, guava, spicy wood and baked apple. A beautiful aroma. The palate shows creamy soft and mellow milk chocolate with a light to medium body. A very elegant rum with great finesse.
VENEZUELAN RUM
Quite a new addition to the global rum market, these are smooth rums with adequate sweetness. Local rum makers say the combination of tropical humidity and cool winds that bathe Venezuela's sugar-cane fields helps to age the liquor faster than in other countries. The change in temperature from day to night stimulates interaction between the alcohol distilled from cane juice and the wooden barrels in which it is stored, enhancing the taste "Venezuela is a blessed land situated at the north of South America where the winds don't tear us up but gently rock us, and gently rock our rums," said José Mandry, president of the Venezuelan Alcohols Chamber that groups most of the country's rum makers.
Ron Pampero Blanco 40.0% 9
DISTILLATION: Traditional Pot Distillation ORIGIN: Caracas, Venezuela
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Industrias Pampero CA
RATING: AGED FOR: 6 months MADE FROM: Freshly cut sugar cane
Recommended with fresh lime and soda. A soft rum made in a lighter style. This is a new generation of Venezuelan rums and its quality is quite surprising.
Ron Pampero Especiale 40.0% 10
DISTILLATION: Traditional Pot Distillation ORIGIN: Caracas, Venezuela
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Industrias Pampero CA
RATING: AGED FOR: up to 4 years MADE FROM: Freshly cut sugar cane
Recommended with a squeeze of fresh lime on ice. This is a gold medal rum. Little-known in the UK, but highly rated elsewhere, this is a premium rum from Venezuela. The suppliers describe this as having a complex spicy and rich aroma with a robust, sweet, smooth and warming taste. Apparently this is often drunk “El Ritual”: rum with lime, sugar and coffee.
Ron Pampero 1938 43.0% 12
DISTILLATION: Traditional Pot Distillation ORIGIN: Caracas, Venezuela
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Industrias Pampero CA
RATING: AGED FOR: min 8 years MADE FROM: Freshly cut sugar cane
Recommended with a squeeze of fresh lime on ice. No Notes Available.
Ron Pampero Anniversario 43.0% 15
DISTILLATION: Traditional Pot Distillation ORIGIN: Caracas, Venezuela
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Industrias Pampero CA
RATING: AGED FOR: 12 years MADE FROM: Freshly cut sugar cane
RECOMMENDED: RECOMMENDED NEAT!. Dark chestnut. Full bodied. Reminiscent of butterscotch, pipe tobacco, coffee, black walnut. Rich, creamy texture. So smooth and deep, one may be tempted to use a spoon. Has a buttery, thick feel with lovely, baked, layered flavors. A world class, slow sipping spirit