How Rum Has The Widest Spectrum of Any Spirit
A tasting with Diplomático Rum.
One of my favorite trips was to Puerto Rico to visit the Don Q Rum distillery.
While I had enjoyed some excellent aged rums in prior, that trip really opened my eyes to the possibilities of rum. More recently, I had the opportunity to attend a tasting with Jose Luis Ballestros, the US National Brand Ambassador and fourth-generation family member of Venezuela’s Diplomático Rum.
The tasting was to introduce the Single Vintage 2013, and it was neat to hear more about the differences of rums across the Caribbean and what helps make Diplomatico special.
“When we talk about rum, you cannot think only of one country,” Ballestros said. “It’s probably the spirit that has the widest spectrum in the alcohol world. It’s completely different from each place it’s produced.”
Ballestros went on to explain that the French Caribbean uses sugar juice to make rum agricole, which is greener and oilier than rums made from molasses.
In Jamaica, the rum is higher proof with more body and often a little funky, he said, while in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Cuba the rums end up a little spicier — and we’re not just talking spiced rum.
In Venezuela, Ballestros said there is a 200-year-old tradition of molasses rum, and their process results in a smooth, rich, and slightly sweet rum. At Diplomatico, the rum is aged for a minimum of two years in white oak, new or old.
Diplomatico blends its rum for the flagship Reserva Exclusiva. And they make rum through three different stills:
Pot still that makes heavy rums like those in Jamaica
A French-designed column still made for armagnac and brandy that creates a light and fruity rum
A hybrid still that obtains a creamy and spicy rum.
After those age for two or more years, the company then blends for the bottle of Reserva Exclusiva.
For the new 2013 Vintage, Diplomatic blended the rums before the aging process and then let them sit for 10 years.
Those 10 years are a significant statement for a spirit in South America. Historically, Scottish whisky makers see an angel share — spirit lost to evaporation — of 2-3% each year it ages. In Venezuela, where Ballestros said it is summer or summer with rain all year, with humidity levels of 80-89%, the angel share reaches 8% every year.
After that decade of aging, Ballestros said they lose 60% of the original volume.
That helps explain why only 18,000 bottles will be sent across the globe, including 6,000 in the US.
The rum itself was delicious, with beautiful notes of toasted oak, dark chocolate, and caramel.
It was not heavy in sweetness and could be a great entry into rum for a curious whiskey drinker.
🏌🏻♂️ Drink to finish the US Open
I’ve gotten lost in the US Open this week, which is being played at Oakmont Country Club in Pittsburgh. The course has the most insane rough I’ve ever seen, and it's making PGA players look like normal golfers — which is fun to see!
Anyway, Dewar’s sent over a great recipe that will go nicely with finishing the tournament Sunday afternoon.
Lemon Wedge
1.5 oz Dewar’s 12 Year Old
2 oz Lemonade
3 oz Club Soda
Method: Combine whisky and lemonade in a highball glass with ice, top with club soda, and stir. Garnish with a lemon wedge.
Also, Dewar’s is selling whisky golf ball chocolates.
📕 Reads of the week
Saturday Sips has detailed the move away from alcohol by Gen Z. Well, it might not be that they just don’t want to Wine Enthusiast dives into data that suggests it’s simply that they don’t have money.
And the New York Times dives into it by looking at why Gen Z does not want to start bar tabs.
Inside Hook takes a look at 12 breweries worth a trip. While I am glad Grand Rapids makes it on the list for Founders Brewing Co., there are definitely some breweries I’d put way up high that don’t make their cut, say Allagash in Maine or Pfriem in Oregon or New Belgium in Colorado. It should also probably include my all-time favorite brewery Firestone Walker or Russian River in California.
If you know me, you know I love heritage regional lagers… particularly the likes of Hamm’s and Old Style. Fun breakdown of the brands that still exist by VinePair (even if most of them are now owned by Pabst.)
🌊 😎 Fun Summer Sipper
One of my favorite gins is Gray Whale Gin, and they just rolled out a super fun kit for the summer season. The Gray Whale Gin Coastal Refreshment Kit includes a bottle of the fantastic gin, a Sand Cloud towel, a Gray Whale Gin pitcher and a recipe card, for $89.99 — the gin on its own is $40, while the towel is $62!).
World Gin Day is today, FYI, so make a Gray Whale Gin Oceanside Punch:
(Makes 12 cocktails)
1 bottle Gray Whale Gin
9.5oz fresh lime juice
9.5oz salted simple syrup (dissolve 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1 cup granulated sugar in 1 cup water)
Unflavored seltzer to taste
Fresh ice cubes
Method: Combine gin, lime juice and simple syrup in pitcher. Add some ice to chill and dilute, stir contents. Split contents in 12 collins glasses. Add a few ice cubes to each glass and top with seltzer water. Garnish with mint sprigs and lime slices.