When we talk about rum, we think above all of a drink that smells like the sun of the islands, and let's face it, at the fiesta 🥳. But when you dig a little deeper, you can see that there is often confusion between pure rum and planter rum. No, it's not the same thing! Are you a spirits lover? Quai Sud has prepared a short guide for you to learn all about rum and the planter, their origins, their differences and their tasting methods.
Pure rum: the quintessence of rum in your glass
Do you want to enjoy the flavors of a good rum? In this case, opt for the tasting of a pure rum which lets all the aromas and radiance of this delicious beverage express themselves.
Originally, rum is the story of sugar, which was the subject of intense trade from the XNUMXrd century. With the molasses, a fermented and then distilled cane syrup is produced. This is how we get the traditional rum, originally from the former English and Spanish colonies. The canes are transported to the rhumerie for distillation.
In the French West Indies, rum is made from crushed cane juice (vesou). It's the agricultural rum, which represents 3% of world production. Ah these French, always original! It is distilled on the plantation, hence the confusion with planter rum 💡.
How to choose your rum?
Forget the idea that a good rum is an expensive barrel-aged rum. A good rum is the one you like! ❤ For beginners in tasting, choose a traditional Cuban amber rum (ron) or our white rum from Paraguay. Based on cane honey and lightly fermented, they are sweet, light and full of smoothness.
Connoisseurs will choose a traditional English rum (rum) like old rum from Jamaica, powerful, very aromatic, but a little heavy. Drier and more balanced, agricultural rum from the West Indies is a marvel that will offer everyone an exceptional experience 🤩. Its flavors are very fruity and vegetal. Intense, complex, elegant… French, what!
Planter rum, the sweetness from the islands
The planter is a rum-based spirit drink much lighter in alcohol. Indeed, where the rum is at least 37°, the planteur falls into the category of rum punches and liqueurs, at 15° minimum, most often between 15 and 18°. The reason ? The rum served as a planter is always lengthened with several fruit juices. If you are a fan of soft and sweet alcoholic drinks, the planter is for you! 🍹
Why are we talking about planter rum ? Its name comes from the fact that in the XNUMXthrd century, the owners of sugar cane plantations – the planters – consumed this drink in quantities that would make a breathalyzer jump with joy 🥴… At the time, planter rum was made with agricultural white rum, that of the owner of the plantation, but it is also prepared with traditional rum today.
Like a punch, planter rum can be prepared with orange juice but it is not mandatory. On the other hand, you need two or even three exotic fruit juices (pineapple, guava, mango, etc.), spices (vanilla, cinnamon, etc.) and cane sugar, generally in the form of syrup. Prepared with a white rum, it is an aromatic, fruity and very sweet drink.
At Quai Sud, the planter is made with fruit pulp, which makes it smoother than a classic planter rum. Our AOP rum from Guadeloupe Marie-Galante brings it all its brilliance. Just de-li-heaven 👌.
Taste rum in the rules of the art
Do you want to learn how to taste rum pure or as a planter? Here are a few tips.
White, amber or old, always choose a premium rum, manufactured according to the rules of the art. If you go through a cellar for an old rum, find out about the quality of the blend and the expertise of the cellar master. For planters, always prefer fresh fruit juices.
Pure rum can be enjoyed at room temperature, in a stemmed tulip glass to avoid heating it with your hands. Swirl it once or twice in the glass, no more: the alcohol will take over the aromas. Observe his body, smell it delicately then savor in small sips by analyzing the aromas 🤩. Delicious as an aperitif, ideal as a digestive, especially aged rums whose aromas are more woody and roasted.
Conversely, planter rum is tasted very fresh as an aperitif, in a tumbler glass generously filled with ice, so as to reveal the aromas while reducing the sweet sensation. Here too, we choose a quality rum, preferably agricultural for more lively and pronounced flavors.
Peckish ? 🍽 Pure rum is revealed with shellfish, foie gras, sweet and sour pork and vanilla desserts. As for the planter, it is ideal with Creole aperitif specialties, acras, donuts and small sausages.
Pure or planter, rum is delicious, but do not forget: to consume in moderation!
