Difference Between Dark and White Rum

Dark vs White Rum

Rum is an alcoholic beverage very popular around the world, especially the Caribbean Islands, almost reflecting the happy go lucky and carefree attitude and outlook of the people of these islands. However, it is different from other alcoholic beverages like beer, whiskey, Vodka, tequila etc. in flavor and aroma having been made of sugarcane and molasses. While the dark colored rum is the more popular variant, there is also the white rum that is a favorite of lots of people. People do not know the differences between dark and white rum besides their color. This article attempts to highlight these differences to enable rum lovers to go for one that they like more.

Interesting thing about the color of rum lies in its aging process that involves keeping the finished product in casks made from various materials as rum basically starts its journey as a clear alcoholic beverage but takes different shades during storage or aging. Rum is one alcoholic product made from sugarcane byproducts such as its juice and molasses. These products are used in rum making, a process that requires fermentation and distillation several times. The alcoholic beverage so obtained is white in color, but it becomes rum only when its aging in casks made of different materials is complete. There are countries where white rums are preferred over its darker versions. Such countries are Australia, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and some more in South America.

White Rum

White rum is also called light rum or silver rum, and it is fermented in steel casks. This rum has a slightly sweet taste. There are golden rums that are aged in oak casks and have a deeper and richer flavor. At the end of the spectrum are dark rums that are aged in charred oak casks and have the deepest flavors and taste. Light rums are stored in stainless steel barrels for up to a year and then filtered. These rums have a subtle taste and are liked by rum lovers for being smooth. White rum is mostly used in making cocktails.

Dark Rum

Dark rums are considered to be perfect for heavy drinkers as they are heavy bodied having aged for a long time in charred oak casks. They are drank straight by the drinkers and also used to make rum punches. If you have ever tasted Hurricane, a popular rum punch, you know how dark rums are made use of.

What is the difference between Dark and White Rum?

• All rums, after the fermentation of sugarcane juice and molasses, are clear, and their final coloration is dependent upon their aging process

• Light or white rums are light on aroma and are sweeter in taste while dark rums are heavier and rich flavored

• White rums are aged in steel barrels for a year before being filtered while dark rums are aged for a longer period in charred oak casks

• White rums are used to make cocktails while dark rums are drank straight or to make rum punches