Great video - the great thing about rum is also the confusing thing about rum for newcomers, and that is its ridiculously wide variety in one brand alone - to say nothing of blends, distillation methods, countries of origin, and experiments in shaking up all of those variables 😁
Ha, yup. Totally agree with that. Just take Jamaica, while a beginner maybe loving Appleton, Hampden and Worthy Park are a VERY different prospect! Even Smith & Cross. Its hard to convey all that in videos. But I'm trying... 😂
I really enjoyed this video, it really helped explain key concepts on rum selection in a single sitting and will make me think of rum selection better in the future.
Thanks. Hopefully more share that view. I know it still doesn't act as a definitive guide. It can't do, its impossible. BUT, the general concept is deffo a benchmark for most brands.
I am starting to experience rums that have no added sugar and are really aged not food coloring 😂. I have tried so many different rums and the Real McCoy is one of my favorites 😊
Hahaha, LOVE this. Well done. Look I know some Facebook groups like to bang on about added Colours etc, but in the grand scheme of things, it really isn't a widely used practise..as in adding LOADs of colour. I mean, even the Real McCoy (Foursquare/Doorlys etc) does use e150 which is the industry colouring. They like to bang on about how it's proper Rum with no additives...and in the grand scheme of things, compared to say Bumbu...it isn't. BUT, all brands that repeat release the same Rum, month on month, year on year...they all use e150 for "Consistency". What Foursquare DON'T do though is add Sugar or flavourings. But, then the funny argument I always bring into the mix just to wind them up... well even a Real McCoy 5yo is a flavoured Rum, cos you've altered the taste of the Rum, by aging it in Wood Barrels, which have previously held Whiskey. So while its a completely different type of flavouring...even accepted flavouring...it's still altering the taste of it. 😇
White is the first rum I ever had always in Rum and cokes at weddings. I really enjoyed 8 year in Mai tais. I just won a 1.75 L (crazy Americans) of gold at a golf outing and wasn't sure what to do with it, Pina coladas it is! Love your videos I have learned so much. Thank you
Thanks again for another GREAT video Steve! Bacardi is the brand that I love to hate BUT it really does fit well in several cocktails. The part of my rum journey that I love the most is the changing and mixing of rums in a cocktail recipe. Just the ingredient of rum makes or breaks a cocktail. As part of my tastings, after the neat sipping, I try each rum in the same cocktail and the variation in flavors is incredible on occasion! Thanks for your encouragment!
Great read! Yeah, I think the thing is, people love an underdog. And as Bacardi is the second biggest Rum Brand in the world, its easy to hate on them. BUT, you have to then look at it realistically. If they're the no2 Rum brand in the world... they can't be making bad rum!
I watch your videos. But also lots of other cocktail makers. Alot of them say bacardi 8y/o is a quality column still rum. So anyone hating on ALL bacardi rums really is going against the majority of cocktail makers. Ok the silver rum isn't great. Ok for the price. But their other rums are very decent.
I am early on in my rum career, having only in the last couple of years started making cocktails (I had a bad teenage experience with a whole bottle of Mount Gay with a mate at the park). I already know I can't afford it! There is also not a huge choice where I live. Appleton Estate Signature and Havana Club 7 are as far as it goes here! They are nice though, and often on a deal!
For some reason, when I have done some neat comparisons, I have tended to prefer the lesser aged rums...maybe I don't really like aged rums? I liked Bacardi 4 over 8, El Dorado 5 over 8 and 12, and Barbancourt 4 over 15...any idea why that may be?
I made the Jamaican mule (Dark n Stormy™/ginger beer highball) on Appleton's website with the 8YO I had on hand and didn't love it. The rum kinda disappeared into the drink. Super disappointing. A few weeks later, I picked up their Signature blend and tried it again and it was so much better. Interestingly, the Signature is what they recommend on in their recipe online. That experience really helped me understand how to choose the rum I want to use depending on the cocktail I'm trying to make
Interesting. Over here in Germany I think most standard bars serving a "Cuba Libre" choose Havanna Club. If Bacardi Carta Blanca is used they probably just call it a Rum and Coke.
Hi Steve. I've found my love for rum recently and have been binge watching a lot of your vids - really helpful. Is the discord no longer around as I've heard you mention it in older vids but can't find it?
Sorry, the Discord has been gone for over a year now. it became too much about expensive high end sipping Rum, with little to no tolerance of the vast majority of Rum, that 95% of my viewers are interested in, so I closed it as it was putting too many people off and I personally didn't want my name associated with it anymore.
@@StevetheBarmanUK ah fair enough. For the best then. Shame as I was looking forward to joining - but wouldn't have stayed long if it was full of snobs haha. I'm loving bombo 40 banana and caramel at the moment, mixed with pepsi max. Delicious. So many rums I want to get but thinking of trying one from plantation or chairman's reserve next
Don Q 7 is my Cocktail Rum. I love that stuff. But thats just a personal opionion. Actually weirdly, if I was going Bacardi in the Rum Runner...I'd actually use Bacardi 4 (Cuattro)
You hear that A new brand of puerto rican rum has hit the market. Every Purchase of the new brand a dollar goes to help puerto rican small businesses still struggling from the last 2 hurricanes
Ah, yeah I've heard of that. Hasn't made it way towardas the UK yet thoguh from what I know. I think it was the older Rum that recently won a Gold Medal at the San Franciso Spirits Comp this year. So really can't be bad stuff.
So.... All I've learned from this is that good sipping rums are at least 10 years old, and everything else is for cocktails. Aren't dark rums just young rums pumped full of flavoring and coloring?
Thats not quite what I said! As you should've heard me say, some younger Rums are also excellent for Sipping. I prefer younger Rums for sipping. As for Dark Rums... yes, some cheaper brands are simply White Rums coloured up. However, the stuff I do talk about is mainly aged in Intensely charred barrels. (and for ref, all Rum that is not single release, does use colouring for consisitency. Same as Whiskey. Every single brand does it. For example, lets take Foursquare. ECS series, no colouring. Doorlys/Real McCoy has colouring for consistency)
|I actually don't think the spiced is that bad. Its far better than some other big brand Spiced Rums. But if sweeter isn't your bag, then its understanable that you don't like it
Yeah I hear ya. It kinda does at a basic level though. Granted, Agricole has a very different vibe, but then Jamaica could argue you the same. The priciples are the same though. You wouldn't be using an XO for Cocktails, then same that if you're after a Sipping Rum, you wouldn't really go Blanc... except for people like me who prefer White/Unaged Rums to Older Whiskey influenced Aged Rums 😂
Yup have tried it many times. RZ23... look its gonna get hate from people who like unsweetened Rums (the vast minority of Rum Drinkers worldwide). But lets look at the facts here, so you can make your own mind up. I absolutely guarantee RZ23 sells quadruple amounts of any Rum that hasn't been sweetened up. It's a global player for a reason. It has massive mass market appeal. Just because someone doesn't like it, it doesn't make it a bad rum. It just makes it a Rum THEY don't like. But they would be in the massive minority. Nowhere even close to being the Majority. I don't like a Ferrari, deffo doesn't make it a bad Car! As to where i personally sit. I prefer RZ23 to any Foursquare Rum. I prefer it to a lot of Jamaican Rum. I prefer it to Brugal Rums. I also prefer it to some Plantation/Planteray Rums. And just so you know, YES, it is at the upper end of Sweetness scales compared to the majority of Rum Brands. In fact, I can only think of a handful of Rums that are sweeter. For a benchmark, there isn't much difference between RZ23 and Diplomatico Reserva in added Sugar. Would I personally buy a bottle...?? NO. Simply because I do think it is too expensive, because they're at that stage now where they can trade off the fact of being a Premium Rum. They've put the effort in to building their Brand so its gloablly recognised. But me personally, I can give you 10-12 Rums i would class as "similar-ish", that I'd buy instead. Just taking this video...I'd buy Bacardi 10 over RZ23. I'd even buy Diplomatico Reserva. Or for a different Taste profile, I'd buy Dictador 12. All in the UK would save you £15-£18. BUT... if RZ23 was on a level price with those Rums, it'd be a different propostion. It's not a bad Rum. It simply can't be for the volumes it sells at. It's just too expensive, when you know your way around other Rums. And maybe a touch too sweet, if you like Rums with only a small amount of added Sugar. There you are. Hopefully thats a constructive answer for you...
Great video - the great thing about rum is also the confusing thing about rum for newcomers, and that is its ridiculously wide variety in one brand alone - to say nothing of blends, distillation methods, countries of origin, and experiments in shaking up all of those variables 😁
Ha, yup. Totally agree with that. Just take Jamaica, while a beginner maybe loving Appleton, Hampden and Worthy Park are a VERY different prospect! Even Smith & Cross. Its hard to convey all that in videos. But I'm trying... 😂
I really enjoyed this video, it really helped explain key concepts on rum selection in a single sitting and will make me think of rum selection better in the future.
Thanks. Hopefully more share that view. I know it still doesn't act as a definitive guide. It can't do, its impossible. BUT, the general concept is deffo a benchmark for most brands.
I am starting to experience rums that have no added sugar and are really aged not food coloring 😂. I have tried so many different rums and the Real McCoy is one of my favorites 😊
Hahaha, LOVE this. Well done. Look I know some Facebook groups like to bang on about added Colours etc, but in the grand scheme of things, it really isn't a widely used practise..as in adding LOADs of colour. I mean, even the Real McCoy (Foursquare/Doorlys etc) does use e150 which is the industry colouring. They like to bang on about how it's proper Rum with no additives...and in the grand scheme of things, compared to say Bumbu...it isn't. BUT, all brands that repeat release the same Rum, month on month, year on year...they all use e150 for "Consistency". What Foursquare DON'T do though is add Sugar or flavourings. But, then the funny argument I always bring into the mix just to wind them up... well even a Real McCoy 5yo is a flavoured Rum, cos you've altered the taste of the Rum, by aging it in Wood Barrels, which have previously held Whiskey. So while its a completely different type of flavouring...even accepted flavouring...it's still altering the taste of it. 😇
White is the first rum I ever had always in Rum and cokes at weddings. I really enjoyed 8 year in Mai tais. I just won a 1.75 L (crazy Americans) of gold at a golf outing and wasn't sure what to do with it, Pina coladas it is! Love your videos I have learned so much. Thank you
Thanks again for another GREAT video Steve! Bacardi is the brand that I love to hate BUT it really does fit well in several cocktails. The part of my rum journey that I love the most is the changing and mixing of rums in a cocktail recipe. Just the ingredient of rum makes or breaks a cocktail. As part of my tastings, after the neat sipping, I try each rum in the same cocktail and the variation in flavors is incredible on occasion! Thanks for your encouragment!
Great read! Yeah, I think the thing is, people love an underdog. And as Bacardi is the second biggest Rum Brand in the world, its easy to hate on them. BUT, you have to then look at it realistically. If they're the no2 Rum brand in the world... they can't be making bad rum!
I watch your videos. But also lots of other cocktail makers. Alot of them say bacardi 8y/o is a quality column still rum. So anyone hating on ALL bacardi rums really is going against the majority of cocktail makers. Ok the silver rum isn't great. Ok for the price. But their other rums are very decent.
100% Agree. Even the Carat Blanca isn't bad. Its just I prefer other White Rums. But for the Price, they are great Rums.
Always keep a bottle in my collection.
I always keep a bottle of Bacardi spiced rum around. Guests love it
I am early on in my rum career, having only in the last couple of years started making cocktails (I had a bad teenage experience with a whole bottle of Mount Gay with a mate at the park). I already know I can't afford it! There is also not a huge choice where I live. Appleton Estate Signature and Havana Club 7 are as far as it goes here! They are nice though, and often on a deal!
For some reason, when I have done some neat comparisons, I have tended to prefer the lesser aged rums...maybe I don't really like aged rums? I liked Bacardi 4 over 8, El Dorado 5 over 8 and 12, and Barbancourt 4 over 15...any idea why that may be?
I made the Jamaican mule (Dark n Stormy™/ginger beer highball) on Appleton's website with the 8YO I had on hand and didn't love it. The rum kinda disappeared into the drink. Super disappointing. A few weeks later, I picked up their Signature blend and tried it again and it was so much better. Interestingly, the Signature is what they recommend on in their recipe online. That experience really helped me understand how to choose the rum I want to use depending on the cocktail I'm trying to make
Great stuff Steve
Interesting. Over here in Germany I think most standard bars serving a "Cuba Libre" choose Havanna Club. If Bacardi Carta Blanca is used they probably just call it a Rum and Coke.
Hi Steve. I've found my love for rum recently and have been binge watching a lot of your vids - really helpful. Is the discord no longer around as I've heard you mention it in older vids but can't find it?
Sorry, the Discord has been gone for over a year now. it became too much about expensive high end sipping Rum, with little to no tolerance of the vast majority of Rum, that 95% of my viewers are interested in, so I closed it as it was putting too many people off and I personally didn't want my name associated with it anymore.
@@StevetheBarmanUK ah fair enough. For the best then. Shame as I was looking forward to joining - but wouldn't have stayed long if it was full of snobs haha.
I'm loving bombo 40 banana and caramel at the moment, mixed with pepsi max. Delicious.
So many rums I want to get but thinking of trying one from plantation or chairman's reserve next
Would you use Bacardi 8 or DonQ 7 for a Rum Runner?
Don Q 7 is my Cocktail Rum. I love that stuff. But thats just a personal opionion. Actually weirdly, if I was going Bacardi in the Rum Runner...I'd actually use Bacardi 4 (Cuattro)
You hear that A new brand of puerto rican rum has hit the market. Every Purchase of the new brand a dollar goes to help puerto rican small businesses still struggling from the last 2 hurricanes
Which brand is that? Would love to know.
Seconded - Intriguesd too....
@@StevetheBarmanUK sonrisa
Ah, yeah I've heard of that. Hasn't made it way towardas the UK yet thoguh from what I know. I think it was the older Rum that recently won a Gold Medal at the San Franciso Spirits Comp this year. So really can't be bad stuff.
u ever had bundy rum?
So.... All I've learned from this is that good sipping rums are at least 10 years old, and everything else is for cocktails.
Aren't dark rums just young rums pumped full of flavoring and coloring?
Thats not quite what I said! As you should've heard me say, some younger Rums are also excellent for Sipping. I prefer younger Rums for sipping.
As for Dark Rums... yes, some cheaper brands are simply White Rums coloured up. However, the stuff I do talk about is mainly aged in Intensely charred barrels. (and for ref, all Rum that is not single release, does use colouring for consisitency. Same as Whiskey. Every single brand does it. For example, lets take Foursquare. ECS series, no colouring. Doorlys/Real McCoy has colouring for consistency)
That uk spiced is horrible,,,, yes I have a bottle,,,
I’m in Thailand and tempted to bring a bottle of Thai rum back to Ireland
|I actually don't think the spiced is that bad. Its far better than some other big brand Spiced Rums. But if sweeter isn't your bag, then its understanable that you don't like it
@@StevetheBarmanUK I just don’t like the flavour, same as I don’t like kracken, , dead man’s fingers is good,
@@GiantsCauseway77 dmf is the best for the price, can't go wrong with 10 bucks a bottle here.
This doesn't even account for Agricole and Cachaca.
Yeah I hear ya. It kinda does at a basic level though. Granted, Agricole has a very different vibe, but then Jamaica could argue you the same. The priciples are the same though. You wouldn't be using an XO for Cocktails, then same that if you're after a Sipping Rum, you wouldn't really go Blanc... except for people like me who prefer White/Unaged Rums to Older Whiskey influenced Aged Rums 😂
Have you tried Ron Zacapa 23?
Complete rubbish, way too much sugar and zero credibility.
@@geraintlewis8194 Thank you for your opinion.
Zacapa 23 is overly sweet and significantly over-priced.
Yup have tried it many times. RZ23... look its gonna get hate from people who like unsweetened Rums (the vast minority of Rum Drinkers worldwide). But lets look at the facts here, so you can make your own mind up. I absolutely guarantee RZ23 sells quadruple amounts of any Rum that hasn't been sweetened up. It's a global player for a reason. It has massive mass market appeal. Just because someone doesn't like it, it doesn't make it a bad rum. It just makes it a Rum THEY don't like. But they would be in the massive minority. Nowhere even close to being the Majority. I don't like a Ferrari, deffo doesn't make it a bad Car!
As to where i personally sit. I prefer RZ23 to any Foursquare Rum. I prefer it to a lot of Jamaican Rum. I prefer it to Brugal Rums. I also prefer it to some Plantation/Planteray Rums.
And just so you know, YES, it is at the upper end of Sweetness scales compared to the majority of Rum Brands. In fact, I can only think of a handful of Rums that are sweeter. For a benchmark, there isn't much difference between RZ23 and Diplomatico Reserva in added Sugar.
Would I personally buy a bottle...??
NO.
Simply because I do think it is too expensive, because they're at that stage now where they can trade off the fact of being a Premium Rum. They've put the effort in to building their Brand so its gloablly recognised. But me personally, I can give you 10-12 Rums i would class as "similar-ish", that I'd buy instead. Just taking this video...I'd buy Bacardi 10 over RZ23. I'd even buy Diplomatico Reserva. Or for a different Taste profile, I'd buy Dictador 12. All in the UK would save you £15-£18. BUT... if RZ23 was on a level price with those Rums, it'd be a different propostion. It's not a bad Rum. It simply can't be for the volumes it sells at. It's just too expensive, when you know your way around other Rums. And maybe a touch too sweet, if you like Rums with only a small amount of added Sugar.
There you are. Hopefully thats a constructive answer for you...
I dont think ive drank a bacardi rum i didnt like hater come out for the biggest sellers
Enjoy your videos. I cant believe people drinking coke with their rum. I wouldnt recommend it for sure.
You gotta believe it. Its the No1 way of Drinking Rum on a global level.