White, brown or amber rum: the key differences to remember
That's it, everything is ready for your cocktail party . But you have a doubt: "for my Mojito , does it make a difference if I use dark rum rather than white rum ?". Spoiler alert : yes! In both cases, the spirit comes from sugar cane juice or molasses , a product of the sugar industry . Fermented , then distilled , the brandy is transformed during aging . And between a white, dark or amber rum , there are real differences . Here's a simple survival guide to navigate through these colors ! 🧭
Table of Contents
1. White rum
Where does the color of white rum come from?
In a word, its youth. Indeed, after distillation, rum is a colorless liquid. The vast majority of white rums are not aged : they are simply stored for a few weeks in stainless steel vats, then immediately bottled. This explains why they retain a translucent color.
BUT, there is a but . Sometimes, some white rums have indeed aged. This is more of a short maturation of a few months, also in stainless steel vats, or even in foudres (very large barrels). And in other rare cases, white rum obtains its crystalline color through carbon filtration, after several years in wood.
In addition to the Caribbean, the region of origin of rum , Cuba, Colombia and Panama are important producers of white rums.
White rum tasting side
With their mouthfeel synonymous with sweetness, white rums are distinguished by their freshness and the lightness of their aromas . Among the countless brands of white rum, we can cite for example Bacardi Superior, or the references Rhum Clément and Old Nick.
2. Amber rum
Where does the color of amber rum come from?
Unlike most white rums, an amber rum ages for 18 months to 3 years in wood : in other words, this maturation takes place in barrels or tuns. Upon contact with the wood, the translucent brandy then takes on yellow, golden, or even orange highlights. Note: its color can also result from the addition of caramel, used as a natural coloring.
By the way, perhaps you've already heard of rum paille ? Similar to amber rum, this spirit includes rums traditionally produced in Martinique and Guadeloupe. These are aged for several months in French oak barrels.
Amber rum tasting side
Here, the warmth and roundness of aromas are given pride of place, draped in spicy accents! The strong character of amber rums flatters the palate for a long time, like Plantation Original Dark, Havana Club Especial or Longueteau Prélude rums (among many other brands of amber rum).
