Rum of the Month
Rum of the Month: A Pairing Adventure
Rum, the sugarcane spirit of the tropics, is quickly gaining recognition as the next great connoisseur quaff. This versatile drink pairs impeccably well with a fine handmade cigar. To demonstrate the many options for marrying rum and smoke, we picked two cigars with quite different body spectrums to pair with an array of fine rums.
But what is Rum, and When Was It Invented? Rum is the product of fermented and distilled sugarcane, either sugarcane molasses or sugarcane juice. As early as the 1600s, sugar plantation slaves in Caribbean islands such as Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad began fermenting molasses to create alcohol. Nevertheless, it was not until the 1700s that rum production spread to the American colonies on the mainland.
The fun thing about this method of infusing cigars with rum under heat and pressure is that it violates just about every cigar purist's rule of keeping cigars, which are: Always keep your cigars dry, and Never use anything except distilled water to rehumidify them. The cigar picks up the bouquet of the rum-infused wrapper, but it’s generally subtle and integrated into the tobacco flavors without being too assertive.
We’ll select from our massive inventory of premium rums at The Party Source, ranging from the light, mild Flor de Caña 4 Year to the heavy, rich El Dorado 15 Year. Strictly speaking, the lighter rums tend to pair well with milder cigars, and heavier, full-bodied rums tend to complement darker, richer smokes. For this pairing, we chose two very different kinds of cigars to demonstrate this rule.
First, we sampled the Flor De Caña 4 Year old rum, a Nicaraguan product that had an elegant fragrance of citrus and vanilla with a touch of smokiness. We matched it with a distinguished Churchill cigar with a Homogeneity Connecticut wrapper. The creamy undertone of the cigar with the sweet notes of the rum nicely balanced one another, and the long citrus finish elevated the cigar and drink pairing.
Next, we tried a unique pairing – The El Dorado 15-Year rum, a spirit from Guyana with a fifth of its distillate coming from the rare wooden pot still that detractors claim is responsible for the drink's exceptional flavor, paired with a rocky Patel Vintage 2003 Cameroon Robusto cigar. The cigar’s sweet Cameroon wrapper, with notes of almond, cedar and almond, matched brilliantly with the sweet vanilla and the notes of clove, nutmeg and anise from the rum. The good balance of rum and cigar resulted in a powerful finish that lingered on the taste buds.
What to know before your first-taste of Rum: Rum can vary quite a lot in price, with excellent options that sell for $20 to $40 a bottle, and some rare kinds that can reach over $1,000. Higher-quality rums tend to only be available in supermarkets, unlike other spirits like whisky, where top-shelf choices can be found in specialty shops. When buying rum, it’s significant to be aware of the kind of rum you’re purchasing because there are different variations.
Another reason why Rum is hip? Many distillers are presenting their spirits in limited editions, and some are even presenting Rum of the Month club packages so you can try various rums each month. These subscriptions are frequently accompanied by information and background about the different rums in the package.
In conclusion, it’s evident that rum is a drink that has entered the world of the discerning connoisseur and the perfect accompaniment to cigar smoking. The range of flavors and varieties of Rum serves to show the versatility of this spirit, and its ability to pair well with cigars. All in all, the world of rum offers a unique experience that needs to be explored and appreciated.