Rum is an old favourite, satiating drinkers from the Caribbean to Queensland for hundreds of years! Its sweet, smoky flavour profile is not only a joy to tipple, but is also incredibly versatile, with the ability to enjoy it neat or in a cocktail.

 

The spirit may be a little more complex than others, with its wide variety differentiating itself from the likes of gin and vodka, but its black, white and spiced varieties only make it more of an enjoyable journey towards gourmandism.

 

But to truly enjoy the best of this spirit it is essential to follow these taste-enhancing tips as you go:

1. Don’t just grab the popular stuff!

 

Cocktails are a fabulous way to enjoy this classic Caribbean spirit, but before you get down to mixing you have to be sure you have chosen the right bottle. The best way to ensure this is to not just grab the popular, overly-marketed stuff, as endless advertising campaigns have reduced this wonderful spirit to something that can only be enjoyed as part of a fruity cocktail, but you can still get the best rum prices Australia has with a delicious drop, too!

 

And, whilst you most certainly can enjoy a refreshing cocktail with this wonderful spirit, it’s certainly not the only way you can drink it! You can enjoy this spirit even in the dead of winter, enjoying it neat if it is a quality bottle, as well as making the classic cocktails or just throwing a bit of lime and soda in there!

 

2. Don’t overdo the rumbos!

 

Like any other spirit, this is one that can certainly disagree with you if you have too many neat or even part of a cocktail. It doesn’t take long for a spirit

drink to leave you wanting for bed or make you completely wrecked, so be sure to limit your intake to three drinks and be sure to keep hydrated throughout the session!

 

3. There isn’t much difference between white & dark variations

 

Some connoisseurs will say that the dark variety creates a much better cocktail whilst others will say the opposite for the white variety - the truth is that there isn’t much difference between the two!

 

In fact, they are almost identical, with key differences between that the dark version is filtered with charcoal, which gives it a smoky flavour profile, so if you like your spirits with a smoky edge then be sure to go with the darker variation.

 

4. Knowing the quality stuff

 

If you want to become a connoisseur then you have to learn how to spot a quality variety. The first thing you have to do is test the rum, pouring a little into a glass before giving it a little swirling action. The spirit shouldn’t be cloudy - that’s a bad rum!

 

A high quality dark variety should contain a clear amber hue, with the variety looking like a clear vodka. Taste the spirit, and look for a smooth flavour profile - if it provides a quick burning sensation then you are drinking some average stuff.

 

5. Keep to the classics

 

This is one of those spirits that when the bottle is good you really don’t have to

overcomplicate things with wild, out there cocktails - you can simply stick to the classics! Anything pairing like apple, lime, cola and ginger will be a dream, refreshing beverage, and so you really don’t have to overthink how you are going to enjoy it - it’s really a simple drink despite its complexities!