Rum is the most confusing alcoholic drink, it is produced in many geographic regions, and uniform quality standards have not yet been developed. Each brand has the right to use its unique technology. But still there are signs, relying on which you can get ahead of the quality of rum.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that rum production is concentrated in small Third World countries, such as Puerto Rico and Jamaica. There, the authorities care little about the quality of the exported product. Therefore, when choosing a rum, first of all, I advise you to look at the popularity of the brand (brand).
1. Manufacturer’s choice. One of the most popular rums in the world is the brand Bacardi (Bacardi). This rum is of the following types: “Superior”, “Black”, “Gold”, “Reserva”, “Oro”, “8”, “Bacardi 151”. The variety affects the taste, strength and duration of exposure.
Another popular brand of rum is Captain Morgan (Captain Morgan). Production is concentrated in Jamaica, but the company carefully monitors the quality of its product, so its rum is appreciated all over the world.
There are also other trusted brands such as Havana Club, Mount Gay Eclipse, Santa Tereza Selecto, Bermudez Ron Selecto, La Reunion, Mauritius, Appleton Dark Rum, Clement D’Or Agricole, etc.
2. The right store. I recommend buying rum only in specialized stores selling alcohol, or in large supermarkets, since there are fewer fakes there. Large establishments value their reputation and do not risk selling low-quality alcohol.
3. The appearance of the bottle. You should carefully look at the label. Dishonest producers often disguise their rum under a similar name to a well-known brand. For example, Bacardi might be spelled “Bakardi”, so you need to know exactly what the name of your chosen brand is. The correct appearance of the bottle can often be viewed on the manufacturer’s website.
The label should be nicely and evenly glued, it must contain the address of the manufacturer and the composition of the drink. Another sign of quality rum is the presence of an excise stamp on the bottle. Of course, it can also be faked, but it’s not as easy as it seems.
4. Price. Counterfeiters lure gullible buyers with a price. If the cost of an identical bottle of rum at one point of sale is 30-40% lower than the rest, this is a reason to wonder if it is a fake. You can ask the store to provide a certificate of quality.