For those of you who have had the pleasure of indulging in a high quality glass of rum, you’ll know that the flavors displayed by the beverage are incomparable. No other alcoholic beverage demonstrates the same silky aroma of rum, and its capacity for mixing is truly to be reckoned with. If you’ve found yourself wondering, what does rum really taste like? Then don’t worry, you’re not alone. Being one of the most popular liquors on the market, it’s completely natural to be curious about the flavors displayed by the beverage. 

This is where we come in. Below, we’ve compiled a handy guide that covers everything you need to know about rum, including the complex flavor notes it demonstrates. To find out more about whether or not rum might be a good option for you, simply keep reading below, as we take a closer look. 

What Is Rum? 

Before we jump straight in and answer the titular question, first, it’s a good idea to explain what rum is. In order to do this, we need to take a closer look at how the beverage is made. 

Rum is made from sugarcane, or distilled molasses, that is then distilled over time. It’s normally distilled for a period of around 8 months to two years to give it its signature flavor.

After the rum has been distilled, many will opt to place the liquid in wood casks, where it’s aged even further. 

If the rum has been produced in an area with a cooler climate, then it will typically age for longer as a result. So, if you pick up a bottle of rum, you’ll be able to deduce which region it has arrived from based on the length of aging. 

Rum is a very potent beverage, and although most bottles are around 40 percent abv, some reach 150 or more abv. 

Where Did Rum Originate? 

One of the most interesting things about rum involves the origins of the beverage. As you may have witnessed in popular media, rum appears to be a beverage that has close association with pirates.

This association is true to real life too, and is intermingled with the beverage’s history. 

When rum first originated, it was much easier to transport than other alcoholic beverages, so many navy ships could be found carrying barrels of it onboard. It eventually became a stale export, and was one of the most popular beverages in the UK. 

This meant that many ships transporting the beverage were attacked by pirates, who would steal the rum to sell themselves. Most pirates, however, would tend to consume more rum than they actually managed to sell! 

What Does Rum Taste Like? 

Now that we’ve taken a closer look at how rum is made, as well as a brief take on its history, we can move on to discuss the titular question.

What exactly does rum taste like? Well, this can be a tricky question to answer, as it completely depends on the variety that you’ve purchased. 

Generally speaking, rum will have an overall sweeter taste than other hard liquors you might purchase. This is of course, due to the fact that it’s been produced from sugar cane. 

There are several different types of rum on the market, one of the most popular being dark rum. Dark rum has a very interesting flavor, and is probably the oakiest version of rum you’ll ever taste. 

Dark rum is rich and thick, and is a popular choice for mixers which help to balance out the heavy taste. Many people will use dark rum when making large quantities of alcohol, in items such as punches. 

Another popular type of rum is light rum, which you can find being sold ubiquitously in the supermarket. It’s known as either being white, or light, and has a very subtle taste that makes it great for novices of the beverage. 

If we had to compare light rum to something you may have tried before, we’d say that it’s most comparable to vodka. Unlike vodka, however, it will still display a sweet taste which comes from the influence of the sugar cane. 

If you’re looking for a nice, easy rum to mix with cocktails, then we’d recommend employing a light rum. 

Another famous type of rum found on the market is gold rum. Gold rum sits somewhere in the middle between light and dark.

They’re very rich in taste, but are equally smooth to drink. So, if you want a delicious rum to enjoy with a splash of water or a few ice cubes, consider purchasing a gold rum.

Gold rum sometimes displays a caramel-like flavor, and this is due to the addition of this ingredient during production. The result is a sweet, smooth, yet rich beverage. 

How To Store Rum 

So, if you’ve gone ahead and decided to take the plunge by purchasing a bottle of rum, you might be wondering how to store this beverage. 

When storing rum, you should always keep it in a cool and dark place. Make sure that if you’re using a stopper to pour your rum, that you don’t leave it on for too long.

This is because the drink will evaporate over time. It’s therefore important that it’s always tightly sealed. 

Final Thoughts 

To sum up, there are three different types of rum, all of which have distinctly different tastes. Light rum tastes similar to vodka, but with a sweeter taste.

Gold rum, although rich, has a silky caramel feel. Dark rum, on the other hand, has incredible depths of flavor, and is very oaky to taste.