TA B L E TALK
R
The subversive Floating Dutchman Cape Rum (floatingdutchmanrum.com), with notes of chocolate and caramel, was named most exceptional rum at the recent SA Rum Awards.
Move over gin – craft rum (neat or in cocktails) is the drink we’ll all be sipping this summer, says TASTE’s drinks expert Jeanne Calitz
There was a time when people looked down their noses at rum and, by rather unfair association, rum drinkers. This may have been due to an influx of cheap and nasty varieties in South Africa, back in the day, as well as a rather regrettable association with drunken sailors. But I’m happy to report that those times have passed and, in fact, there are some who are even saying that rum is the new gin. Time will tell. Until then, I’m enjoying learning about this spirit and its potential in my cocktail cupboard. You may have thought that there are only two types of rum: white and dark. But within those categories lives a whole world of flavours and methods. There’s gold rum, spiced rum, Demerara rum, black rum, so-called
“overproof” rum (strong as blazes!) and even navy rum – which refers not to its colour but its origin – this was the version given as a ration to sailors. But back in the 21st century, it’s a brave new world, with a host of quality South African producers stepping into the craft rum arena. Consider these recommendations for your next outing to the liquor store. Cape of Storms (capeofstormsdistillery. com) has three award-winning rums in its stable: the Great White, oak-infused and Fyn Botanical.
Centurion-based Earthbound Distillery (earthbounddistillery.com) won gold at the same awards for its silver and amber rums. Don’t forget James Copeland’s award-winning Copeland Rum (copelandspirits.co.za). If you like white rum, this one charms with notes of litchi, pineapple and spice. So, what do you do with these rums? If you buy a quality craft rum, it should be good enough to sip on its own, savouring all those delicious spicy notes, hints of vanilla, coffee and caramel. And if you’re leaning towards a cocktail, there’s life beyond the mojito. Apart from delightful concoctions such as the dark and stormy (rum, ginger ale and lime), you could simply use rum in some of your favourite classic cocktails – try a rum negroni, old-fashioned or martini, as we did here. And, finally, what shall we do with the drunken sailor? Well, if he’d been drinking excellent rum properly (slowly, and with a bit of style) he would never have been in that boat to begin with. @jtcalitz
RUM MARTINI
RUM OLD-FASHIONED
RUM NEGRONI
44
TASTE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
PHOTOGRAPH JAN RAS PRODUCTION BIANCA STRYDOM FOOD ASSISTANT NADIA MEYER
H
