As the drinking culture in various parts of the world grows and evolves, different spirits such as aged rums continue to come to the forefront. Around 2017, South Africa, long known for its sophisticated wines, started its experimentation into craft rums, specifically gold rum and cask aged rum, presenting unique flavor profiles.
Despite being a leading sugar-producing nation, South Africa has not primarily been known for its Rums. However, this idea quickly changes as South Africa has various rum distilleries producing high-quality Rums. As a result, these spirits have become extremely popular and, for rum lovers, a must-try. While not a new invention, aged rum is now sincerely appreciated by South African drinkers, leading to a robust growth in its popularity.
Distinct flavors are introduced during the fermentation and distilling processes by South African distilleries, giving each aged rum a distinctive palate experience. The taste of the rums is also highly dependent on primary conditions of growth of the raw materials. Whether the brand uses sugar cane or Molasses also plays an essential role in defining the taste. The water, soil, and Cape Town's weather all affect the inherent aroma of sugar cane, which then influences the overall flavor of the aged rum.
In general, South African rums can have fruity flavors, indulgent chocolate, caramel, vanilla-like flavors, spicy flavors, or a complex combination of them.
Though there are a lot of distilleries producing varying kinds of rum concoctions, all differing massively in taste, some brands have been able to establish a big name for themselves. Here are some of the most prominent players defining the South African Rum Industry
If you were to ask which is the most popular choice of Craft Rum preferred by the locals, you would hear the name Rhino Rum. Produced by Brickmakers Distilling Co., this is a spiced rum that blends perfectly with some standard cocktails and is also fantastic for just sipping on the rocks. The spiced flavors will keep your tongue tingling. Brickmaker Distilling Co. is a family business based in Port Elizabeth. The company was started in 2016, and the recipes used here have been passed down to the owner by his grandfather. Bottling generations' worth of wisdom, this rum contains flavors distinct flavors of honey, vanilla, and toffee with subtle hints of plums and bananas. By adding spiciness to it, the flavors of cinnamon, cloves, aniseed, orange, and ginger shine towards the end.
Rum enthusiasts would also find it interesting that you can visit the distillery, have a rum tasting and even purchase directly from there.
Founded in 2017 by musician James Copeland, Kommetjie has been producing the finest quality, high-end white rum in South Africa, the Copeland Rum. This award-winning rum is produced using a wide-cut, double distillation procedure from specific raw materials, including blackstrap molasses and tropical yeast for fermentation. Containing fruity and chocolate caramelly flavors, this rum indulges you by exposing you to caramel, licorice, and sugar flavors, then hitting you with cacao and finally leaving you with a lingering taste of roasted pineapples. With a very controlled and specific manufacturing procedure, this rum is made in very small batches and is only available in select locations. Hitting so many levels of decadence, no wonder this rum has been awarded the Michelangelo International Wines and Spirits Awards, 2017.
A line of premium small-batch rums, Mhoba was started by a mechanical engineer who designed and built sugarcane presses and stills to be used on his sugarcane farm. Beginning in 2013, Robert Greaves established this equipment with the aim of becoming a pioneer of agricultural rum in South Africa. Having 5 white and dark rums in its portfolio, Mhoba has something for everyone. Greaves personally takes care of the distillation process and uses two stripping pot still, 500 liters of capacity each, as the preliminary distilling step. The next step is using a spirit pot still to create white rum. This process of double distillation gives the rum its distinct Mhoba taste.
Known primarily as a gin company, Inverroche, based in Stilbaai, South Africa, is one of the first inventors of African craft Rum. Going as far back as 2008, Inverroche has been producing blackstrap molasses and fermented rum with a smoky, decadent and dry flavor profile. The Inverroche Limestone Rum, 10-years-old, is an exuberantly rich brand offering. Complete with a signature limestone top, unique to Stilbaai, this rum is a class apart. Indulge in woody, spicy, earthy tones of bourbon oak, vanilla, and dark chocolate with hints of orange, plum, and coffee beans. Traditionally a sipping rum, this rum will leave your tongue with a unique smoky taste, unlike any other.
Tapanga Rum embodies the essence of African craftsmanship in the realm of premium rum-making in South Africa. With a passionate commitment to authenticity, Tapanga's story is deeply rooted in African heritage, reflected in every bottle they produce. As South Africa's first single-estate rum, Tapanga emphasizes traditional methods, creating rums that capture the spirit of Africa. The process involves a meticulous journey from the harvesting of sugar cane to the final distillation and aging, ensuring a unique and high-quality product. The name 'Tapanga', inspired by 'panga', the knife used in sugar cane harvesting, symbolizes their deep connection to the land and the African tradition of rum-making. This dedication to craft and heritage makes Tapanga a standout in the world of fine spirits, offering a distinct taste of Africa.
De Vry Distillery, priding itself in its homegrown values, has created this brilliant premium, locally produced Rum. Made from all-natural ingredients and free from any additives, this rum displays a very earthy and natural flavor. Made from refined molasses, fermented with a unique blend of yeats, reverse osmosis water, and borehole, this rum is matured in specially charred American Oak barrels. The Du Plooy brothers, who produce this rum, also attribute the uniqueness of flavor to the free state climate in which the spirits are left to mature in their maturation cellars. All of these significantly contribute to the final flavor of the rum obtained after filtration. The flavor can be defined as a smoky, cigar-like taste with the flavor of oak coming forward and a sweet finish lent from the molasses.
There are many more South African Rum brands that are a must-try. As many have dubbed it, the South African Rum Revolution is still growing with new brands of craft rums coming up and established spirit producers expanding their portfolio. So if you are wondering which South African Rums you should try first, these are the ones to go for.
