3.1 REV Q (Rum)

Question 1

Which raw material is used to make rum?

Answer 1

Sugar cane or molasses.

Question 2

Which region is the centre of rum production?

Answer 2

The Caribbean

Question 3

What is the first stage of rum production and what happens during the stage?

Answer 3

Processing sugar cane

The sugar cane is harvested and crushed to release a sweet juice. Rums made from the juice have very pronounced vegetebal flavours.

The majority of Caribbean distillers use molasses, a black, treacle-like substance and by-product of the sugar-makeing industry. Molasses must be mixed with water before fermentation. Rums made from molasses often have grassy flavours.

Question 4

If a spirit has a high distillation strength, does it have high or low flavour intensity?

Answer 4

Low

Question 5

What is the second stage of rum production and what happens during the stage?

Answer 5

Fermentation

Tropical fruit aromas are generated in the spirit, which can be very pronounced in some instances.

Question 6

What is the third stage of rum production and what happens during the stage?

Answer 6

Distillation

Distiller can either make a spirit full of flavour and character using pot stills, or a light flavour intensity using a column still. Some distillers make both kinds of spirit.

Question 7

What is the fourth stage of rum production and what happens during the stage?

Answer 7

After distillation

Some rums are aged in oak and develop vanilla and sweet spice aromas, others are unaged and stored in steel vessels to ensure flavours and colour remain unchanged. Spirits will then be blended in either pot or column stills. Some rums are sweetened and have their colour adjusted with caramel before the level of alcohol is diluted with water prior to bottling.

Question 8

If a spirit has a low distillation strength, does it have high or low flavour intensity?

Answer 8

High

Question 9

What is the definition of a neutral spirit?

Answer 9

A spirit is distilled to 95-96% ABV with virtually no flavour left. This only applies to vodka.

Question 10

What is the definition of a light spirit?

Answer 10

A spirit that is distilled to a particularly high strength, potentially as high as 90% ABV. Many white rums fall into this style.

Question 11

What is the definition of a medium spirit?

Answer 11

A spirit that is distilled to a strength in the region of 75% ABV. Many cognacs and golden rums fall into this style.

Question 12

What is the definition of a pronounced spirit?

Answer 12

A spirit that is distilled to a notably low level and have very punchy flavours. Examples include some rums as well as Bourbons and Tequilas.