 |
Capn Jimbo's Rum Project Forum
Rum Appreciation by and for the Compleat Idiot
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Is "Rum" truly a "noble spirit"? |
| Yes, bottles labeled "rum" are pure. |
|
0% |
[ 0 ] |
| No, a few might be altered. |
|
0% |
[ 0 ] |
| No, probably half are tweaked. |
|
0% |
[ 0 ] |
| No, most labeled "rums" are not pure. |
|
50% |
[ 3 ] |
| Not sure, but some sure taste flavored. |
|
33% |
[ 2 ] |
| I'm not sure what a pure "rum" even tastes like. |
|
16% |
[ 1 ] |
|
| Total Votes : 6 |
|
| Author |
Message |
Capn Jimbo
Rum Evangelisti and Compleat Idiot
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 1361
Location: Paradise: Fort Lauderdale of course...
|
 Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 6:21 am Post subject: Is Rum truly the "Noble Spirit"? |
 |
|
Is it true?
| Quote: | | "Rum" is defined by the US, EU and ACS (Assoc. of Caribbean States) as made from cane juice or molasses. Traces of caramel are allowed for coloring only, as is barrel aging. No flavors are allowed, nor even the use of wood chips. The use of any flavors must be labeled ("flavored rum"). |
Let's start here:
Whiskey (except Canadian) and bourbon are relatively closely regulated. Both are pure with "whiskey" allowing only trace amounts of caramel (for the stated purpose of adjusting color). And "bourbon" is entirely pure - no coloring whatever - and relies strictly on the single use of new oak barrels.
Accordingly, when you taste a dram of either you pretty much know what to expect. The whisky drinking public has almost no interest in "flavored whisky", and even the tiny handful of "flavored bourbons" (eg. "Red Stag by Jim Beam) are very careful to distinguish these from their pure products which absolutely dominate sales. But its fair to say that whisky and bourbon drinkers are fanatical about purity and feel that any flavoring - labeled or not - cheapens the product.
These are truly noble spirits."Rum" is quite another matter.
Pour a dram of "rum" and you're likely to be surprised. The "flavored" and "spiced" rum categories are huge and growing - an indirect admission that most "rum" was never all that pure in the first place. Although there are a precious few distillers like Richard Seale (Doorly's, Tommy Bahama, Seales, et al) or Pussers, who make clear their rums are free of unlawful and unlabeled additives including artificial flavorings and spices, most - I repeat - most "rums" are so altered and adulterated.
Rums cost less and for good reason.
Some of these cheating distillers are even quite public about it, and even our dear Preacher admits the common practice (particularly the use of added sherry and copious amounts of sugar). I've spoken privately with some of the world's leading rum writers, bloggers and tasters who - off the record - admit the practice.
It's a shame. The spirit of rogues and pirates, for the most part remains a rogue spirit.
_________________
Go to Save Caribbean Rum Petition! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
