drink
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ll too often, when one thinks of “rum,” several things come to mind: Captain Morgan poses, Johnny Depp as a drunken Captain Jack Sparrow, and/or Rum and Coke-fueled memories of drinking on the cheap in college. “Believe it or not, the actual stories of Captain Morgan don’t even mention rum, and (sorry, ladies) Captain Jack Sparrow is a 100 percent fictional character,” says Sarah Spear, the “Rum Princesa” at Toro Latin Restaurant & Rum Bar by Richard Sandoval. Because the majority of the world’s rum production occurs—and has historically occurred—in the Caribbean and Latin America, the spirit is often associated with sailors and pirates. But today, rum is also produced in Austria, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Mexico, Hawaii, the Philippines, India, Reunion Island, Mauritius, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, the United States, and Canada. “And while rum can certainly be obtained on the cheap for the local frat party, good rum is a transcendent spirit on its own and a crucial building block to many of the highest-end cocktails worldwide,” says Spear, whose Toro boasts both rum-tasting flights and 111 varietals to choose from (the most in the Valley!). Among the most exclusive is the Appleton 50-Year Rum, which is $250 per ounce. Crafted in 1962 to celebrate Jamaica’s full independence from Britain, barrels were set aside to age with the intention of bottling the rums decades later in celebration of the country’s 50th independence anniversary. Ready to try some of the rums that are redefining the category from across the globe? Our picks include these.
DICTATOR 12 YEAR RUM Region: Columbia Characteristics: Nose consisting of coffee, honey, toffee, and oak. Aged using the Solera method, which involves mixing barrels of different ages in order to obtain better development of flavor. Soft and round mouth feel with a truly unique balance of caramel, cocoa, honey, and low oak. Cost: $40-$50
IT’S A RUM-DERFUL LIFE BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ
GOSLING’S OLD RUM Region: Bermuda Characteristics: Also called “Gosling's Family Reserve,” this is a Bermuda black rum made of the same blend used for Black Seal rum, and then is aged longer for a full character. Cost: $70-$80
BACARDI RESERVA LIMITADA Region: Puerto Rico Characteristics: Made from rums that have been mellowed in lightly charred American oak rested for 10 to 16 years. Rich taste and velvety finish. Cost: $90-$100 UPTOWN |
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RON ZACAPA RUM XO Region: Guatemala Characteristics: Aged in a combination of bourbon, delicate sherry and Pedro Ximenez wine casks to create a unique depth of flavor and character. After three years, the used barrels are emptied and then recharred to give the rum a sweeter flavor from the newly charred wood. Cost: $95-$110
RON ABUELO CENTURIA Region: Panama Characteristics: Molasses-based rum aged 30 years in used whisky and bourbon barrels and developed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the family estate. Sweet aromas of oak, vanilla, spice and dark fruit while remaining full-bodied. Boasts 97 points from Wine Enthusiast. Cost: $140-$160