The Best Rums to Try This Winter

Today I'm going to talk Rum, wonderful Rum. I'm going to walk you through some of my favourites and even shell out some of my go-to rum recipe advice. 

Why Rum? 

Rum is an event in my life. I actually think about rum more than any other drink. That might make me sound like an alcoholic, but I can assure you I drink responsibly all the time now. Barring the odd stag do of course. I look forward to rum. It has a very special place in my heart. Perhaps the mystical fantasy that surrounds it, its association with pirates, buccaneers and seafarers etc. Plus it tastes so damn good. So sweet. It is a spirit made from a molasses or sugar cane base. 

1. Flor de Caña

Nicaragua’s best-known rum is Flor de Caña, which has grown in popularity and is available in nearly a dozen expressions now. Available in the 7, 12, 18, and 25. Recently it was awarded "2019 Best Rum Distillery", the highest distinction granted by the International Rum Conference (IRC) at a global level, due to the quality of its products and because its distillery runs on 100% renewable energy. 

Signature Serve

Flor Ginger

GLASSWARE: Collins Glass

INGREDIENTS:
1 ½ parts of Flor de Caña 12 Year
3 parts Ginger Ale
Orange Peel

PREPARATION:
Serve Flor de Caña 12 Year in a glass. Add ginger ale and decorate with Orange peel.

2. Don Papa

Regular readers will know I'm in love with Don Papa. Last year I was privileged enough to tour their distilleries in the Philippines. You can read all about that in a previous post here. ‘Don Papa’ is a tribute to Papa Isio, the real and charismatic leader from Negros who, in the 1890s, helped drive the Spanish from the island and win independence for Sugarlandia. 

Signature Serve

The Don Papa Negroni

This Don Papa twist on the classic cocktail will inspire and liberate your senses through its balanced taste of bitter and sweet, much like the life of the legend himself.

INGREDIENTS:

4 parts Don Papa Rum
2 parts white vermouth
3 parts Apérol

METHOD:

In a mixing glass filled with ice, add the bitter Apérol, white vermouth and Don Papa Rum. Stir gently. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and a grapefruit wedge.

3. EL Dorado

'El Dorado, why don't you come to your senses'. (Great Eagles song that). This is a very fruity number. Plenty of Orange, plenty of Oak and caramel also. Could be too sweet for some but it's an absolute stunning dram. 

Signature serve 

I actually go for these neat, with a bit of ice. In a cut glass tumbler I might add. But recently I've been getting into mojitos and I like the look of these rum mojito kits. Find out more info on those here. 

4. Diplimatico

Diplomático rums are carefully crafted from premium sugar cane and use a rich variety of distillation methods. This is combined with the Maestro Ronero’s expertise and excellence in the art of blending, to produce the finest rums. The distillery has also developed the capacity to recycle 100% of its solid waste. Other notable corporate initiatives include beach cleaning and tree planting. 

It also tastes rather nice. 

Signature serve 

Blood, tears & gold

This cocktail was created by Charlotte halzius, representing Sweden during the 2017 DWT edition. With this cocktail, Charlotte won the competition.

INGREDIENTS:
50 ml Diplomático Mantuano
20 ml Amer Picon
10 ml Cherry syrup
2 Dashes of gold tincture

GLASS: Coupe

METHOD: Pour all the ingredients into a mixing glass previously chilled. Stir and strain in a coupe glass, previously chilled. Serve without ice.

GARNISH: Maraschino cherry and lemon zest

5. Appleton

Named after my favourite All Saint. Only joking. Wait there were two of them. Ah well, I'll take either. I digress. Appleton Estate 12-Year Rum is a blend of several rums aged between 12 and 18 years in American oak barrels after being distilled using small-batch copper pot stills. 

It has a real kick this one. You won't find a better, more evenly-priced rum. It's a decent introduction to Jamaican-style flavours; those mango notes come through well, followed by a flourish of coffee and toffee. 

Signature Serve 

Mai Tai especially with clement vsop

INGREDIENTS:
2 tbsp white rum
2 tbsp dark rum
2 tbsp triple sec
1 tbsp grenadine
1 tbsp orgeat or almond syrup (we used Monin almond syrup, available online)
juice of half a lime and maraschino cherry
Stir together.

MY FAVOURITE RUMS