THE AUTUMN IS A RIPE MOMENT TO DRINK SPICED RUM

BUT WHAT IS SPICED RUM AND HOW DO WE DRINK IT?

Rosemullion Distillery’s Spiced Rum

Here on the Helford estuary in Cornwall, spiced rum is as synonymous with Cornish autumns. As afternoon walks, muddy wellies by the door and lighting the fire as the nights draw in. We pay a lot of care and attention to ensuring our spiced rum is something really special. This is why the World Rum Awards 2020 declared Rosemullion Spiced Rum a World Rum Awards 2020 Style Winner. They said:

“Nose of heavy citrus zest and oils, cloves, ginger and subtle spice. Complex start on the palate, with the orange chocolate finish dominant. Warming, spicy, interesting, and balanced.”

World Rum Awards 2020 Style Winner

 Recently we were asked by a friend what exactly is in spiced rum? So we thought we’d write this month’s blog to explain. Because in our experience the more our customers know about the small-batch products we make. The more they can enjoy them when they drink Rosemullion Distillery products.

So What Is Spiced Rum?

When sugar cane is turned into white sugar of the one main waste-streams from the process is molasses – and as molasses contains enough sugar to attract yeast it can be fermented and distilled into rum, which is then aged in oak barrels. It is only after the aging process that you add the spice. (N.B: Rum should only be made from waste by-products from sugar production…. molasses or cane syrup).

The term ‘spiced rum’ can be a bit misleading as any rum that a distiller has added natural flavouring to – like herbs and spices – is a spiced rum. But spiced rum doesn’t necessarily have to be ‘spicey’: additions can come from a variety of roots and bark, seeds, roots, leaves and fruits. Examples include orange peel, ginger, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, cassia, nutmeg, cardamom, pepper and – a common favourite – star anise.

There are no specific groupings or specific amounts of spices and fruits that make up recognised spiced rum recipes: no matter whether you’re making it in the West Indies, Britain, America, Australia or your own Cornish back yard like us, it’s up to the distiller’s discerning palette to make the taste appeal to their drinking audience. Needless to say, that achieving the delicate balance that wins world-wide awards, together with a loyal customer base, is one of the favourite parts of any distiller’s process, including all of us here at Rosemullion Distillery.

Why Are Spices Associated With Autumn?

Spices were first brought to Europe during the Middle Ages when winters were so cold that even London’s mighty River Thames iced over, and although it would have been mainly the wealthy who enjoyed a majority of the spices, the warming properties of all these exotic new flavours meant that they were also incorporated into foods and drinks for the working man.

As they discovered back then spices like cloves, ginger, pepper, cardamom and cinnamon go beautifully with autumn produce – such as apple, pumpkin and rhubarb – and with preserved fruits – like figs, apricots and raisins – and also with hazelnuts, almonds, chestnuts and walnuts. Spices also boost our immunity and energy levels and so, given how expensive they were, many of them were only used during times of celebration and thanks to traditions it means we can’t help but associate them with feasting and Christmas.

So How Do We Achieve Those Autumnal Flavours?

At Rosemullion we make three of the autumnal colour rums to sip neat, or drink with mixers. For those with a sweeter palate comes our honey rum gently flavoured with local honey and botanicals. Then the spiced rumfor that warmth that emanates from spices culminating in that warming orange finish. And for the more tropically inclined who enjoy a fruity, citrusy rum with floral top notes, we make a gold rum. It’s lighter than the dark rums, and more complex but delicate than the spiced. The gold rum makes a perfect sipping rum that could perhaps be regarded as the ‘beginner rum-drinker’s choice’.

What to Mix With Them?

Which mixer you use is up to each drinker’s personal taste, but we recommend experimenting with the best quality mixers you can find (which can also be homemade of course) including, in order of our preferences:

• Ginger beer
• Ginger Ale
• Mango Juice
• Pineapple Juice
• Lemonade or limeade
• Apple Cider
• Cranberry Juice
• Papaya Juice
• Soda Water

Serve Your Spiced Rum Beautifully

There’s something wonderful and ritualistic about the preparation of drinks, and for us presentation goes a long way to helping make something taste fantastic… so just as you might put thought and care into preparing the drink itself, do also think about the glasses you choose to drink it from. Are they good to hold, squeaky clean and ideally a little chilled?

And consider the quality of the ice that you put in there. If you have enjoyed beautifully made cocktails in a cocktail bar, then you will already know how distinctly more pleasurable it is to have clear ice in your glass than the cloudy ice-cubes we all tend to have at home. Also don’t forget that garnish – like a piece of Cinnamon stick, or curled orange peel – adds that extra dash of class.

So wherever you are in the country, don’t let your heart sink that the nights are drawing in… see it as a guilt-free opportunity to experiment with making the very best Rosemullion Spiced Rum cocktail in the world…

COMPETITION ANNOUNCEMENT: please do write in with your suggestions and findings – and a photograph of the results. We want to know what beautiful drinks and cocktails you clever and creative drinkers have produced. Our team will review entries by 1^st December 2022 and the winner will receive a bottle of Rosemullion Distillery Spiced Rum. If you want to enter please:

1) title the email ‘Spiced Rum Competition

2) send a list of ingredients

3) a brief description of the drink

4) a photograph. PLEASE NOTE CAREFULLY: that by sending in a photograph of their drink entrants automatically give their consent for the photograph of their drink to be used on our Rosemullion Distillery social media feeds and website.

Thanks all and we look forward to seeing the results.

The Rosemullion Distillery Team

Frequently Asked Questions About Spiced Rum

What is spiced rum?

Spiced rum is rum that has been flavoured with natural ingredients such as spices, fruits, peels, roots, seeds or botanicals. Common additions include orange peel, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, pepper and star anise. The result is a rum with added warmth, depth and character, often enjoyed neat, over ice or with mixers.

Is spiced rum always spicy?

No, spiced rum does not have to be hot or fiery. The word “spiced” simply means the rum has been flavoured with spices or other natural ingredients. Some spiced rums are warming and aromatic, while others are sweeter, citrus-led, fruity or gently spiced.

What is spiced rum made from?

Spiced rum begins as rum, which is traditionally made from sugar cane by-products such as molasses or cane syrup. After fermentation, distillation and often ageing in oak barrels, the rum is flavoured with spices, fruits or botanicals to create its final character. Rosemullion’s article explains that spices are added after the ageing process.

What spices are commonly used in spiced rum?

Common spiced rum ingredients include cinnamon, cloves, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, pepper, cassia, orange peel and star anise. There is no single fixed recipe for spiced rum, so each distiller can create a different flavour profile depending on the ingredients and balance they choose.

How should you drink spiced rum?

Spiced rum can be sipped neat, served over ice, mixed with ginger beer or ginger ale, or used in cocktails. It also pairs well with fruit juices such as pineapple, mango, cranberry or apple, depending on whether you prefer a fresh, fruity or warming serve.

What is the best mixer for spiced rum?

Ginger beer is one of the most popular mixers for spiced rum because its warmth and gentle spice complement the rum’s flavour. Ginger ale, pineapple juice, mango juice, cranberry juice, lemonade, limeade, apple cider and soda water can also work well. Rosemullion recommends experimenting with good quality mixers to find the serve you enjoy most.

Can you drink spiced rum neat?

Yes, a well-balanced spiced rum can be enjoyed neat or over ice, especially if it has been crafted for sipping. Serving it in a good glass with clear ice and a simple garnish, such as orange peel or a cinnamon stick, can help bring out the aromas and flavours.

What does spiced rum taste like?

Spiced rum usually tastes warm, rich and aromatic, with flavours that can include citrus, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, pepper, caramel, oak or dried fruit. Rosemullion Spiced Rum has been described as having citrus zest, cloves, ginger, subtle spice and an orange chocolate finish.

Is spiced rum good for cocktails?

Yes, spiced rum is excellent in cocktails because its flavour adds warmth, depth and complexity. It works particularly well in long drinks with ginger beer or fruit juice, autumn and winter cocktails, rum punches, hot serves and festive drinks.

What is the difference between gold rum and spiced rum?

Gold rum is usually aged or lightly aged rum with a smooth, rounded flavour, while spiced rum has additional flavour from spices, fruits or botanicals. Rosemullion describes its Gold Rum as lighter and more delicate, while its Spiced Rum offers warmth from spices and a warming orange finish.

Why is spiced rum associated with autumn and winter?

Spiced rum is often linked with autumn and winter because warming spices such as cinnamon, cloves, ginger and cardamom pair beautifully with seasonal flavours like apple, pumpkin, figs, nuts and preserved fruits. These flavours are also associated with festive food, fireside drinks and colder evenings.

What garnish goes well with spiced rum?

Orange peel, a cinnamon stick, lime, apple slices, star anise or a twist of citrus all work well with spiced rum. The best garnish depends on the serve: orange and cinnamon suit warming drinks, while lime or pineapple can lift a lighter, fruitier cocktail.