Back to Basics: Rum Part 2

When it comes to stocking a home bar, Dr. McAlcohol recommends that you have a spiced rum and a white rum on hand. To add some fun to your selection, add some flavored rums as well.

Spiced Rums: If you have a limited budget for your alcoholic endeavors, spiced rum is the way to go. Spiced rums have traditionally been consumed neat or on the rocks, but they actually mix quite nicely. In this humble doctor’s opinion, they mix even better than the white variety due to the complexity of the spices and the caramel that is usually added to these rums for color. A good rule to remember when purchasing spiced rum is to always pick one that’s named for sea men, and the lower the rank, the better the taste.

Brands to try: Sailor Jerry, Captain Morgan

Brands to avoid: Admiral Nelson, Ron Diaz

White Rums: White or clear rums traditionally have been used for mixing, mostly with sodas and fruit juices. The main reason for this is that white rums tend to have an overwhelmingly sharp or alcohol smell and flavor, which makes them rather unpleasant to drink straight. White rum is usually used in the most popular rum drinks, including Rum and Cokes and Daiquiris.

Brands to try: Bacardi Silver

Brands to avoid: Mr. Boston Imported Rum

Flavored Rums: Flavored rums have only recently come into huge popularity. While some brands have had coconut rum for quite some time, a whole new world has been opened up, including mango, raspberry, peach, apple and lemon. These flavors come from infusing white rum with these fruity flavors to enhance the flavor, and create the option for mixing or sipping.

Brands to try: Malibu Coconut Rum

Brands to avoid: Bacardi Razz