Best white rum for mixing

[Tiare]

So.. which white rums do you prefer for mixing?

For now i use Appleton.

[RumBarPhilly]

Well, I could put Oronoco in ANYTHING!

But if we were to choose a more "mixing" variety of a white rum, Id have to say a toss between Montecristo and Cruzan.

[Scottes]

One of these days I need to get some of the Montecristo.

My choices, in order: Oronoco, Cruzan, Palo Viejo (with it's surprisingly strong molasses tastes).


I did do a couple of comparisons of white rums. 12 in total. Sipping them, not mixing:
http://scottesrum.com/category/comparisons/5-white-rums/
http://scottesrum.com/category/comparisons/7-white-rums/

[bluewave6]

I really like Barbancourt Blanco and Ron Ocumare. These are two of my top white rums. they are equally great mixed or on the rocks with a twist of lime.

[Hank Koestner]

I think it depends on what you are mixing, but I like Havana Club, Appleton, Babancourt and Flor de Cana. Oronoco is too good on its own for me.
I dont mix many things with white rums, but a good classic Daquiri is the test for me.

[RobertBurr]

wow, this is a great thread.

ten cane makes a great mojito.

Appleton is not to be overlooked -- great product for making cocktails

Barbancourt - love this with coke, fruit juice

Charbay is great with lime and a sweetener

Don Q Cristal makes some of the best, clean crisp, subtle killer cocktails I've ever tasted

Flor de Cana Extra Dry has a unique flavor for daiquiris

Matusalem Platino triple distilled is good any way you try it

Montecristo made from sugar cane juice has a very smooth profile

Oronoco is almost wasted in a mixed cocktail, but provides a superior experience

Prichard's is a delicate, fine white rum for mixing any cocktail

Rubi Rey is gaining fans with a profile that differs from the usual Bacardi Silver influence

[Tiare]

Don Q Cristal makes some of the best, clean crisp, subtle killer cocktails I've ever tasted


Can you describe the flavor of this rum?

I keep my Oronoco by itself..no mixing..i had a hard time getting it and its almost finished...:rolleyes:

But i definetily want to try Rubi Rey.

[RobertBurr]

Can you describe the flavor of this rum?

The Don Q Cristal has a very clean, light flavor that does not taste medicinal to me like Bacardi. When making subtle cocktails like cucumber or pink lemonade blueberry mojito, it adds no competing spiciness or bite. The subdued nature of this rum might be overshadowed on strong, flavorful drinks.

[bluewave6]

I forget to also mention the Appelton White. This is also an excellent mixing rum that carries a "true" rum taste through mixers.

[Dood]

I generally use Oronoco if I'm feeling decadent, or fall back on Matusalem Platino or Appleton.

I almost picked up a bottle of Montecristo today, but went for the Tortuga instead.

[Paulipbartender]

Just had my first taste of Oronoco and I have to say I'm pretty impressed. Full of sweet vanilla flavours with a nice earthy quite dry finish. It's a great white rum and as I remember Rob posting, it adds value to Brazil as a quality cane spirit producer

[Tiare]

Yea, its nice isn`it? i have very little left of it now and i guard the last precious drops...

[Paulipbartender]

Can anyone confirm that it's a blend of Brazilian and aged Venezualan rums?

[Tiare]

All`ve heard is that its made from fresh cut Brazilian mountain cane..never heard about blending..?

[Paulipbartender]

That's how it's described in Rob's new Gifted Rums Guide and I was intrigued - especially as it clearly has 'Product of Brasil' on the bottle (not to mention a map of the country!)

http://www.giftedrums.com/PDF/GiftedRumsGuide08a2.pdf

[Tiare]

Thanks for the link, iґm going to print this now and take home to read later tonight. Another thing i really like about Oronoco is its beautiful bottle..

[Paulipbartender]

Don't thank me - thank the suspicious winking gentleman.....

[Scottes]

Can anyone confirm that it's a blend of Brazilian and aged Venezualan rums?
Yes.

There's a whole thread on Oronoco around here somewhere.


Ahh, here it is:
http://ministryofrum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=436

[Tiare]

So it is a blend after all..i had forgotten that, thanks Scottes for the reminding thread!

[rumdog007]

One of the aspects of drinks based on a white/silver rum that I so much enjoy is the ability to vary their character, subtly, by changing the rum. Many of the best drinks based on a silver rum are simple creations with only 3 or 4 ingredients. If one normally mixes with a more neutral rum, such as Bacardi Superior, Witch's Rock, Flor De Cana (for its dryness), or Brugal, to achieve an "authentic" cocktail, it's an eyeopener when that same cocktail is made with a silver of more character. It definitely changes the drink and one could argue that, for instance, that the real Daiquiri is a drink made with a Cuban style white rum. But, the fun is mixing one with, say, the Barbancourt with its "raisin-ny nose" and fruitly taste. Don't get me wrong, I love my Daiquiris with Havana Club Silver Dry, HC Anejo Blanco, or HC 3 Anos. But, even with those three products, the drink takes on different character. BTW, when I am serving for guests (which are blind to whatever I am using to mix), it is always the drink that I have changed-up which gets the most complements. So, I always keep a wide selection of white rums for mixing.

[The Rum Ambassador]

[QUOTE=Tiare;6391]So.. which white rums do you prefer for mixing?

Many of my favourite white rums have already been mentioned throughout this thread, so I won' repeat. But I love Elements 8 Platinium with juice, ginger beer or just ice and a slice of fresh orange.

[RobertBurr]

[QUOTE=Tiare;6391]So.. which white rums do you prefer for mixing?

Many of my favourite white rums have already been mentioned throughout this thread, so I won' repeat. But I love Elements 8 Platinium with juice, ginger beer or just ice and a slice of fresh orange.

Hopefully we'll have Elements (E8) here in the US in the coming months. I have it from purchasing in the islands, but most here are not aware of these fine rums.

[Tiare]

[QUOTE=The Rum Ambassador;7012]

Hopefully we'll have Elements (E8) here in the US in the coming months. I have it from purchasing in the islands, but most here are not aware of these fine rums.

I`m one of those who are not aware of Elements..never heard of it...?

[Hank Koestner]

I have heard of Elements and it is on my list to try if it becomes available.
Good to know it gets good grades from this forum.

[Paulipbartender]

It gets outstanding marks from me. I particularly love the platinum (http://www.e8rum.com/).

Looking forward to delivering some training on it in a few weeks

[Tiare]

What a nice bottle it has!:)

Thanks Paul for the link, i see that it seems to be sold in Denmark.

Hope to try this one as well..sooner or later..:)

[Paulipbartender]

We've got stacks here and some more miniatures - when I find a few more I may send another package to Sweden ;)

[Tiare]

Do you have Swedish punsch? if not i can send you that. It can be used for drink mixing as you surely know already.

[Paulipbartender]

We do have some Swedish Punsch, thank you. We asked one of the bartenders in our annual competition to deliver a 10 minute presentation on it a couple of years ago and I remember it being really fascinating

[Tiare]

What on earth do you guys NOT have in your bar?? :D
Maybe the Swedsih bitters...its something that is in a very small obscure bottle..

[Paulipbartender]

NOW you're talking!

That's obscure enough to have missed the bar and we'd love to try it out. What are Swedish bitters?

You needn't post it if it's too much bother - you can always bring it with you for the RumFest

[Tiare]

Its actually so obscure that i cannot even explain what it is..
except for that i know its a bitter..

I can post it, just PM me your adress, or is the same adress as on the card?

[Paulipbartender]

The bizo card I sent has our bar address. Thank you :)

[El Dorado]

Have you ever try El Dorado Superior White or El Dorado 3 Year Old White?
The 3 Year Old White was recently launched in the UK by our agents Inspirit Brands. The colour/nose has been described as clear and bright. Weighty with a slight nuttiness from the oak. The palate has been descrided as long, slightly sweet with a soft creamy mid[palate. Good lenght and a certain complexity. It is concluded as a superior mixer.

[Michael]

Is there any chance of the El Dorado 3 Year Old White making it to the U.S. market?

[Tiare]

The 3 year old white sounds very interesting! for the moment i switch between Appleton white and Havana Club blanco and the 3 years, so it would be very nice to try this one.

[krustykrab]

The 3 year old white sounds very interesting! for the moment i switch between Appleton white and Havana Club blanco and the 3 years, so it would be very nice to try this one.

How is the Appleton white, for a mixing rum? I keep looking at it and wondering. My 'house' white mixer has been the cruzan light, but now that the aging is changing from the 2 year to 14mo, as well as decrease in taste/quality, I may have to make a switch when my stock runs out!

[Tiare]

How is the Appleton white, for a mixing rum?

Appleton white is great rum for mixing, it has a round character and is fruity and sweet, with molasses. It mixed especially well with Pineappple juice..

You should give it a try!

[angelsword]

Have you ever try El Dorado Superior White or El Dorado 3 Year Old White?
The 3 Year Old White was recently launched in the UK by our agents Inspirit Brands. The colour/nose has been described as clear and bright. Weighty with a slight nuttiness from the oak. The palate has been descrided as long, slightly sweet with a soft creamy mid[palate. Good lenght and a certain complexity. It is concluded as a superior mixer.

I have a bottle of the ED Superior White. It is the only of your products that I do not care for. I rank it low even amongst bottom shelf white rums. Please send me a bottle of the 3 Yr. White so that this terrible opinion may be alleviated by tasting a superior white rum from DDL. ;):D

[Berbician]

I've tried the El Dorado Superior White, and it's probably the best unaged white rum I've tasted - it's certainly a lot better than Bacardi - but it's becoming more and more difficult to find in London. I haven't tried the 3 Year Old as yet, but I did spend several minutes admiring it in a shop window about a week ago.

[El Dorado]

Is there any chance of the El Dorado 3 Year Old White making it to the U.S. market?

You never know, if the demand is there who knows.

[Michael]

Thanks Carl, it is great to be able to get such prompt responses from the El Dorado representative.

The BevMo chain, among others here in California, routinely carries Flor de Cana 4 Year Old White and El Dorado 21 Year Old, so one imagines that an El Dorado aged White would fit in well. Please don't underestimate the demand as rum seems to be gaining in popularity nationwide. The tiki revival has likely already touched DDL since the 12 Year Old and 15 Year Old El Dorado, and Lemon Hart, 151 and 80, are staples of many popular drinks.

[Michael]

I was unable to edit the post above (a time limit perhaps), but wanted to correct the error with respect to Lemon Hart. DDL supplies the rum to the bottler of Lemon Hart, but it is not their release.

[Rum Runner]

I was unable to edit the post above (a time limit perhaps), but wanted to correct the error with respect to Lemon Hart. DDL supplies the rum to the bottler of Lemon Hart, but it is not their release.

Thanks for the correction Michael.

[tym2relax]

I just picked up another bottle of the 14 month Cruzan Light. It was only $18.99 for a 1.75 L bottle.

Can anyone recommend a better light rum for the money? Even with the change to the 14 month it still seems to be the best bet.

[seabass]

The local liquor store still has the 2 year marked on the bottle. How is the new 14 month labelled?

[tym2relax]

Looks about the same except there is not a big 2 on the label.

Marketing probably figured that 1.16 would not work so lets just have some small print that explains it is 14 months. :rolleyes:

[primate77]

Virtually every store I have been into since reading about the change to Cruzan, still has plenty of 2 year old light rums on the shelf. I've seen it plenty in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Wisconsin all in the past two weeks.

I do like this light rum, I'll also say that the Ocumare light rum I bought a week or so ago is quite tasty as well, but a very different taste than the Cruzan.

[tym2relax]

Virtually every store I have been into since reading about the change to Cruzan, still has plenty of 2 year old light rums on the shelf. I've seen it plenty in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Wisconsin all in the past two weeks.

I do like this light rum, I'll also say that the Ocumare light rum I bought a week or so ago is quite tasty as well, but a very different taste than the Cruzan.

How much are you paying for the light? Even with the change to 14 it still may be the best bargain around.

[primate77]

It ranges from downright cheap ($10.39 for a litre in Minnesota) to average, $13.50 for 750mL here in Illinois. Haven't really seen it priced any higher than that.

[Colin]

I like Appleton white or Cruzan light rum for my basic mixing. Both are cheap and much better than Bacardi.

But I really want to go to Vancouver, B.C., this summer and pick up some Havana Club. I would guess they have it at all the stores up there.

[krustykrab]

Virtually every store I have been into since reading about the change to Cruzan, still has plenty of 2 year old light rums on the shelf. I've seen it plenty in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Wisconsin all in the past two weeks.

I do like this light rum, I'll also say that the Ocumare light rum I bought a week or so ago is quite tasty as well, but a very different taste than the Cruzan.

Hmmm... well just about every store around here has only the 14 month already! I am trying to stock up on the 2yo and have only found 3 bottles so far... but a trip to northern NH this weekend to visit the folks - I'll see what I can find up there. Around here (NH liq stores) reg price is $19, sale is $16 for a 1.75L

[RobertBurr]

my recent trip through the Florida Keys revealed less than half of the stores still have the 2 year old version. These were mostly the stores with less business. Stores with large turn-over are already on the new version. The 1.75 litre bottles of the old 2 year old were priced less than $20 in most stores that still had them.

[primate77]

I'd view the warmer climates to move more rum, as it perhaps has more popularity... up here, vodka is the big ticket, and that's what everyone has the most of, and the rum seems to "sit" for extended periods of time (often judging by the amount of dust that sits on the shoulders of the bottles)!!!

So if you are making a pilgrimage into the midwest, bring your minivan, uhaul trailer or personal sherpa, and be prepared to return home with quite the bounty of Cruzan 2 year old light rum!

(The only store I've been in recently that had no 2 year left on the shelf was one of the Binny's stores in the Chicago Metro area, but those stores drive a lot of traffic in general, so it came as no surprise).

[coviepresb1647]

So.. which white rums do you prefer for mixing?

For now i use Appleton.

The three light rums that I use for mixing in order of preference: Cruzan Light, Appleton Special White, and Mount Gay Eclipse White.

[DmTallboy]

Bacardi Superior!

[Michael]

Lately we mix with Cruzan Light (still have a couple of handles 2 yr, but haven't seen any for a bit), Brugal White Label (Blanco) and Matusalem Platino.

[bunnyhugs]

Michael I'd be interested to hear how you find the Brugal for mixing. How does it compare to other white rums? What drinks does it work best in?

I'd have thought that being so smooth and sweet it might lack the 'bite' or 'edge' that some drinks call for - like maybe a Daiquiri. Not sure though.

[Michael]

We first encountered Brugal White in Dr. Cocktail's "Vintage Spirits ..." book, wherein it was recommended as an obtainable alternative for Havana Club in "La Floridita Daiquiri" among others. We've generally used it whenever a Cuban white was indicated, with tasty results. Having never tried any of the Havana Club offerings or other Cuban rums, it isn't possible to say how well the Brugal does the job.

We haven't yet tried it in other applications. It seems a flavorful, relatively neutral spirit, with some complexity in the Brugal house style, so it should work more generally. Please be advised that having only sampled the Blanco, Dorado and Añejo, the impression of the house style might be altered by familiarity with the Extra Viejo and Siglo de Oro.

[bunnyhugs]

Interesting. . .

I'd say Brugal White and Havana Club white are very different. I like both. Havana Club is arguably somewhat rough, but I don't mind that in a Daiquiri since I see the drink as being about taking the rough edges of a spirit. For example I find the Havana Club 3 YO a little smooth for Daiquiris.

So for that very reason I've been wondering how well Brugal White would work in a Daiquiri type drink. Half of me thinks it could just be too smooth, and the other half was thinking it might be nice. The Floridita Daiquiri (you mean the one with the splash of creme de cacao - right?) is one I want to try with Brugal.

My problem right now is that I have the rum all around me, but finding a well stocked bar with good ice and competent staff is just about impossible.

Of course another issue might be how representative the current Havana Club is of classic Cuban rums from the heyday of the Daiquiri and similar drinks.

[Tiare]

Of course another issue might be how representative the current Havana Club is of classic Cuban rums from the heyday of the Daiquiri and similar drinks.
Good point Seamus..i`m following this discussion with great interest! cheers.gif

[seabass]

I believe Guatemala is to Rum as Cuba is to cigars.

[Michael]

I believe Guatemala is to Rum as Cuba is to cigars.

We like the Guatemalan Zaya too, but will that change to Venezuela after tasting Santa Teresa 1796 or Diplomбtico Reserva Exclusiva (apologies to the untasted Fariсez offerings), or were you just being intentionally provocative to stir a good debate? cheers.gif

[The Sheriff]

I just picked up a bottle of Mount Gay Eclipse Silver, I think I'll give it a mix or two this weekend and see how it works. Of course I'll have to try it straight first!

[bluewave6]

I tried a bottle of this the other week and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. I still prefer Barbancourt White and Ocumare White, but this a good white to keep on hand for mixing. The rum flavor holds up well to mixing with fruit juices and it makes a nice Daquari

[RobertBurr]

I think I've just made the best Daiquiri I've ever tasted.

Diplomatic Daiquiri
2 oz Diplomatico Rum Blanca
.5 oz key lime juice
.5 oz cane syrup
load with ice into shaker. letter rip. pour into Martini glass.

The incredible richness and super-smooth finish of the rum shines through the lime and syrup.

[RumBarPhilly]

I just picked up a bottle of Mount Gay Eclipse Silver, I think I'll give it a mix or two this weekend and see how it works. Of course I'll have to try it straight first!

I LOVE Eclipse Silver. It is an aged white rum and CHEAP! I would gladly pay $24 for a bottle, but Ive only got to be $15.

I put it in the same class as Montecristo and Tommy Bahama... Still yet to try Elements 8 and ED 3yr White however

[Tiare]

.. Still yet to try Elements 8 and ED 3yr White however

Me too..especially i`m curious about the El Dorado.