Rum & Tequila

Two plants, two traditions

Rum was born on the sugar cane plantations of the Caribbean in the 17th century. Molasses left over from sugar production, or fresh cane juice, is fermented and distilled. Under the European Union's regulation 2019/787, rum is made only from sugar cane raw materials, bottled at a minimum of 37.5% ABV and may not be flavoured; only caramel may be added to adjust colour.

Tequila is a uniquely Mexican drink protected by a geographical indication. It can only be made from blue agave (Agave tequilana Weber, blue variety) and in the state of Jalisco and specific areas of Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit and Tamaulipas. The heart of the agave is cooked, fermented and distilled. Production follows the Mexican standard NOM-006-SCFI and is overseen by the Consejo Regulador del Tequila.

Three shelves in this category

• Rum: white, gold and aged rums from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Trinidad. A wide range from the light Spanish style to full-bodied, long-aged bottles.
• Spiced rum: bottles with spice flavours such as vanilla, or flavours such as banana, cherry and coffee, added to a rum base, popular with cola and ginger beer.
• Tequila: 100% agave and mixto tequilas in the blanco, reposado, añejo and extra añejo categories.

Colour, age and label language

For both drinks, colour and age statements on the label are the first clue, but the same words may not mean the same thing. With tequila, categories are defined by law: blanco is unaged or rested for less than two months, reposado rested in oak for at least two months, and añejo rested for at least a year in oak casks of no more than 600 litres. With rum, colour alone doesn't show age: some rums are filtered clear after years in cask, and some have their colour adjusted with caramel. So when choosing a rum, it's better to look at the producing country and the age information on the label together.

How to choose and serve

For cocktails, white rum and blanco tequila are the most versatile bottles: the Mojito, Daiquiri and Piña Colada are made with white rum, the Margarita and Paloma with blanco tequila. For a simple long drink with cola, ginger beer or apple juice, spiced rum is a practical choice. For slow sipping, aged rums and añejo tequilas come to the fore; serving them in a tulip glass at room temperature or over a single large ice cube lets the aromas open up. Shots are a tradition especially with tequila, but a good reposado or añejo also shows well when tasted neat.

Glass and temperature

Long drinks such as the Mojito and Cuba Libre are served in tall glasses filled with large ice, the Margarita in a wide glass with a salted rim or in a short glass. A tulip-shaped tasting glass gathers the aromas of aged rum and añejo tequila; keep these bottles at room temperature rather than in the fridge, out of the sun. Freshly squeezed juices make a noticeable difference to cocktails.

Highlights from our shelves

For the backbone of a cocktail bar, Bacardi Carta Blanca; for the aged side of Cuban rum, Havana Club 7 Años; and for long drinks with cola, Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold are all good places to start. On the tequila side, Patrón Silver for Margaritas and El Jimador Reposado for anyone after a reposado with a touch of oak are on our shelves. Message us on WhatsApp for current prices and options.