All Rum/Rhum
Rum (and rhum) is the most diverse spirits category on the shelf. It is not a single style. It is a family of spirits connected by sugarcane, shaped by raw material choices, fermentation, still type and ageing climate. That is why one bottle can feel bright and crisp for Daiquiris, while another drinks like a dark, oak-led sipper with the weight of a mature whisky.
The easiest way to shop rum with confidence is to start with the two biggest foundations: molasses and fresh cane juice. Most rum is molasses-based, and it tends to build flavour toward caramel, toffee, treacle, cocoa and baking spice as it ages. Cane-juice rum (often labelled rhum agricole in the French Caribbean) is usually more aromatic and savoury: sugarcane, citrus peel, pepper, olive brine and herbal notes. Neither is better. They are different lanes, and the differences become obvious when you taste them side by side.
Next, consider still type. Pot still distillate often carries more weight and texture, and it can deliver bigger aromatics and a longer finish. Column still distillate is often cleaner and lighter, which can be perfect for highballs, clean Daiquiris and bright mixed drinks. Many producers blend pot and column spirit to build a house style that has both structure and lift.
Ageing adds another layer. Tropical climates can push cask influence quickly, bringing vanilla, toasted coconut and spice early. Cooler ageing can preserve more primary spirit character while building complexity more slowly. Cask type matters too: ex-bourbon is common, but wine and fortified finishes can add fruit, tannin or sweetness. Bottling strength matters as well. Higher proof often means more aroma, more texture and a longer finish, especially for enthusiast and independent bottlings.
Region is the last shortcut. Jamaica is famous for intensity and high-ester character. Barbados is known for balance and blending skill. Guyana (Demerara) can be dense and dark. Trinidad can sit in a cleaner, oak-led lane. The French Caribbean shines for cane-juice agricole structure. Australia is building its own modern rum identity as the category grows.
At Casa de Vinos, we curate rum like a serious spirits category. If you want the fastest learning curve, try a rum flight at Casa de Vinos Lounge (casadevinoslounge.com.au) and compare raw materials and regions by the glass. It makes the category click quickly.
Wholesale - On-Premise and Off-Premise: we can help build a rum range that actually makes sense: cocktail anchors, premium sippers and education pours. For trade enquiries email wholesale@casadevinos.com.au.
Casa de Vinos Club: members may see special pricing or hidden allocations on smaller rum releases when available.
Whisky Abbey: rum flights and purposeful pours play extremely well with curious whisky drinkers. Keep an eye on whiskyabbey.au for the next program.
Corporate accounts: for group tastings or supply conversations, contact sales@casadevinos.com.au.
