Rums, Vodkas, Schnapps and other Goodies!

There has always been more to life than fizzy Lager, day old whisky and the taint of curry the next morning and a quick look around the world would seem to prove that.

Rums are a case in point and over the past 15 years or so we have tried to support the notion that the ubiquitous Bacardi really did have competition out there. The problem is, that with a few exceptions, rum is not generally generally appreciated. Too often portrayed as being either "gut-rot" or an old man's drink and certainly not cool enough to be seen either drinking or talking about. Which is a shame given the range of flavours and characteristics of the tipple in question. Not to mention the fact that most "old men" who do drink it have an experience of whalers, service in the Navy or other life styles that tend to beat the whatever out of working as an accountant or a chartered surveyor! That's changing - courtesy of extensive life style advertising involving islands in the sun, green-blue seas etc etc - but "white" spirits (such as vodka and gin ) still dominate people's choice.

Rums vary greatly across the range from very dark rich examples through rums which could pass as whiskies to beautiful white rums from Cuba, Venezuela and Haiti. Add to that the notion of "over-proofs" - rums up and over 100% by volume - and "Navy" rums you have probably a wider choice than in any other drink

Island Rums still dominate the notion of rum drinking and you seriously cannot go wrong, opting for rums such as Mount Gay, Appletons, Gosling's. Mount Gay remains one of my favourites - it is a sweet, crisp rum that tends not to cloy as you drink it. Too often, heavy rums can stay with you too long for comfort. Not so with Mount Gay Yellow Label. Recently had experience of the Green - over 100% and guaranteed to leave a mark on the consciousness (eventually) Appletons Estate is an "old" rum - 5 years old at least and again a Gold rather than dark rum. Four Bells also remains an old favourite. Formerly a Navy rum, Four Bells remains a well-rounded, rich dark rum. As with most rums, don't insult it with Coke. A douse of water is usually enough to round it out. Another rum which I saw again for the first time in a long time is the Gosling's Black Seal. Beautifully rich and full, dark rum with a background of spices and vanilla.

It's been a while now, but finally the "sugar cane" curtain has finally come down, Cuba is being allowed to participate in the rest of the world - presumably Dr. Strangelove has passed on - and Havana Club is no longer as rare a budgie's teeth. The Three year old is here, the Five can be found and the 7 is on it's way. I haven't tasted 7 year old Havana Club for a good few years now but if memory serves - and it was a good party, allegedly - it is (probably) the sweetest, smoothest white rum you are ever likely to get your hands on. Interesting, too, that one of the spin-off effects of the growing availability of Club is that Bacardi is now back to labelling itself as being Cuban. (Yeah, right) Or are we just being a tad cynical.

Someone was good enough to bring me some Venezuelan rum recently. Beautiful stuff - rounder, with more caramel andvanilla than your island rums and well worth seeking out. Ocumare is one that we've been able to try and the hunt is on for the Santa Teresa. Said to be one of the classic rums but still really difficult to get hold of. It's probably one of the best kept secrets in the world that Venezuela produces (probably) the best rum in the world - it has a quality of its own - slightly more spicy than others and distinctively from another area beyond the Islands.

Another recent highlight has been the - fleeting - appearance of Barbancourt 5-Star. Barbancourt is from Haiti and like so many other things in life, over here is relatively unheard of. Which is a pity because Barbancourt is a stunning rum - full-flavoured and full bodied, it owes a great deal of its character to the influence of the French wine making tradition which plays such a part in its production. We will have it when we can but the last batch disappeared in matter of days. Barbancourt is an especial treat and we get it when we can - you would be well advised to as well!!

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