Learn to taste and evaluate rum like an expert!

Rum, like wine, contains history in every glass. The secrets behind each rum can be revealed by anyone who simply takes the time to recognize them by unlocking their senses.

A favourite rum often becomes a loyal companion; one to look forward to reuniting with after a long day. How to properly drink rum is subjective, as this spirit is rooted in experimentation and fun – even throughout the entire production process.

As a beginner in tasting rum, your senses are your golden ticket. How to taste rum depends solely on the experience with your eyes, nose, and tongue, ultimately working in harmony to celebrate each unique rum flavour.

Before you start

Firstly, when conducting a rum tasting, consider what you have recently eaten and drunk, as this can affect your taste buds going forward. Consider something relatively neutral in taste that does not linger too long in the mouth.

It can help before a rum tasting to read up a bit on the various things that affect the taste of rum. Consider, among other things: Worth knowing about distilling and aging rum, The art of determining a rum's true age, and Discover the different rum styles: Spanish, French, and English style.

Before you begin the tasting itself, consider your glass. First, choose glasses; it may seem obvious, but it is important. Glass gives the tasting experience a more elevated feel. It also makes it easier to truly taste the rum – even 40% spirits act as a solvent on plastic.

Additionally, there are many types, such as a Glencairn for whisky, a cognac snifter, or even a Belgian beer glass! For us at Rombo, it's a tulip glass, which is thicker at the base and narrower at the top. This helps concentrate the rum's aroma.

The goal of a tasting is to experience new flavour profiles, which is best done with a clear head; with that in mind, it is wise to moderate alcohol consumption. A 2 cl pour is more than enough to get a good feel for the rum.

Only high-quality spirits remain delicious at room temperature. If you are offered a spirit that is very chilled, it is usually an attempt to cover up impurities and unfavourable flavour characteristics. Tasting at room temperature allows for an accurate impression.

Now we are almost ready to start. Begin with the youngest rum and move towards the oldest to make it easier to taste the subtle differences between them. Older rums will often have a more complex flavour profile as a result of longer aging.

Use your eyes

We start by looking at the rum. The colour is not as important, as caramel can be added like any food colouring, but it is worth looking to note what you see, especially if you know all the details about the rum, as it can be helpful.

Hold the glass up to a light source to examine the rum, then tilt it. Older rums will have a darker ring where the liquid meets the glass.

Next, tilt the glass and preferably look at it with a white background. We do this by swirling the liquid around the glass and looking for what is known as "legs." The legs should ideally run slowly down the sides of your glass; this indicates a dense blend that has been well-aged and provides a higher alcohol content. You can learn more about the science behind this by reading about the Marangoni effect.

Use your nose

It's not time to taste yet; your nose needs a second to get acquainted with the rum. We smell the rum to pick up the initial aromas, which can later be used as a reference when it hits the tongue. One can detect hints of plum or vanilla, for example, and can then begin to build a better understanding of the blend itself.

Sniffing rum is best done using short, quick inhalations. By taking short sniffs, rum tasters can capture the different aromas. The process involves sniffing through both nostrils – you actually move the glass between your nostrils. Remember also to swirl the glass a little and take deeper inhalations to catch the subtle aromas. It is important to keep your distance when smelling a quality rum; no need to get as close as you would with wine.

Experts recommend sniffing immediately after opening the bottle. Furthermore, this process should last less than seven seconds before the nose loses its sense of the aromas.

A tip is to smell the back of your hand between inhalations to reset your nose. However, you should avoid using aftershave or perfume, as this can interfere with both the sniffing and resetting process.

Taste the rum (multiple times)

Finally, taste the rum. There are different opinions on how many times one should taste to get the best impression of the rum, but most believe that two to three sips are appropriate.

Acclimatization

Rum is generally 40% or higher. Therefore, the first sip is always a bit of a shock to the tongue; the taste buds need to acclimatize, so take a small sip to burn off the harshness so you can then focus on the flavours.

The first impression

Take another, slower sip and let the rum flow around your mouth so the vapours can rise into your nose and identify more aromas. Here, look for sweetness, bitterness, spice, and acidity. Make notes of what you observe.

The body

Take another sip and pay attention to the rum's texture. Is it smooth, light, or syrupy? Does the flavour get stronger or does it remain the same? Compare this to what you experienced with the first sip.

Finish

Finish by either swallowing or spitting out the rum, depending on how many rums you are tasting, and pay attention to the aftertaste. How quickly does it dissipate? Do more flavour nuances emerge, and do others disappear?

Experienced rum drinkers will tell you that it is always important to appreciate the body and consistency of the liquid you have just encountered. A rum that leaves a certain sensation on the palate after being swallowed is a good quality rum.

Furthermore, there is a small tip for tasting and identifying even more aromas and flavour nuances. You can add a little cool water to the rum or serve it over ice, which will reduce the intensity of the stronger flavours and aromas, allowing subsequent characteristics to emerge. This is especially true for higher alcohol percentages.

Cleanse your palate

Now you have tasted your first rum and need to get ready for the next. To cleanse your palate between tastings, it is recommended to eat a cracker or bread or even a small piece of 100% cocoa chocolate! Definitely drink some water. Water cleanses the palate between rums and helps you stay hydrated.