COMPILED BY Tracy Greenwood
Whether you’re a rum and coke drinker or you like your cane juice neat, it’s time to give some of our locally distilled artisanal rums a try. Above and below are some of the brands on our hot list.
1. African Blackstrap Rum, R590
Origin: Inverroche, Stilbaai
Only 800 of these bottles of limited-release rum, crafted from African blackstrap treacle molasses, are released each year. The flavour profile includes sweet citrus, vanilla and a dry smoky character, with a delicious butterscotch finish.
2. Die Warm Rasta Rum, R400
Origin: De Vry Distillery, Free State
The Free State climate and specially charred barrels for culturing are what give this rum its distinctive flavour.
3. Mhoba Rum, From R150
Origin: Mhoba Distillery, Mpumalanga
Mhoba rum is made from “liquid sugar” squeezed out of locally grown sugar cane – as opposed to other rums that are produced from molasses, a by-product of sugar production. After the distilling and filtering processes, the rum is aged in toasted American white oak to add colour, aroma and flavour.
4. Durbanville Distillery White Rum, R269
Origin: Durbanville Distillery, Cape Town
This small-batch rum is cold-distilled. By avoiding conventional boiling temperature, harsh notes are prevented.
5. Time Anchor White Rum, R429
Origin: Time Anchor Distillery, Johannesburg
With aromas of coconut and vanilla, this double-distilled rum made from African blackstrap molasses has a gentle macadamia nut and caramel finish.
6. Tapanga Gold Rum, R439
Origin: Tapanga Distillery, KwaZulu-Natal
This barrel-aged rum is distilled from freshly cut sugar cane grown on Windermere Sugar Estate in Zululand. It has a prominent vanilla nose and well-balanced, dry taste.
7. Zulu Rum, From R179
Origin: Zulu Rum Distillery, Durban
This brand is available in three varieties: Zulu Rum (white rum), Zulu Impi Rum (dark rum) and Zulu Gold (amber colour). The white rum is particularly suited for mixing with fruit juices, and the dark rum with cola.
IMPORT ON OUR RADAR:
Spytail Black Ginger Rum, R350
Origin: Spytail Distillery, The Caribbean and France
Distilled in the Caribbean before being aged, spiced, blended and bottled in France at a small family-owned distillery in the Cognac region, this rum is now available in South Africa. It is named after a legendary submarine, its bottle shape is a nod to another old submersible, and the portholes embossed on the front and back continue the theme.
Missed our round-up of local gins? Click here to browse nine of our favourites.
