Age = Quality?

[Mr Fjeld]

I know the angels share reduce output and that premium market segments demand older spirits - hence the price go up, but are older rums necessarily better rums?

Would love to hear your view on this!

Cheers!
Christian

[Edward Hamilton]

I've posted another article which gives some ideas on the relationship between age and maturity. Age matters, but don't get hung up on the age of your rum. (http://ministryofrum.com/articles.php#age)

As much as I like aged rums, for my first drink of the day, there is nothing quite like a 'ti punch.
(http://ministryofrum.com/articles.php#age)

[Mr Fjeld]

Great article - explains a lot! Newcomers to rum - like myself - should take notice of information like this! I think it's too easy to pay attention only to "age" and hence miss out on a lot of good rums.

[DemeraraDrinker]

I would agree--age matters, but there are other variables in what makes a good rum.

Take Neisson Agricole Blanc...this rum is either not aged or aged very briefly, and it is a fabulous rum. To me, it is better than some 4 years, and one 7 year in particular.

Of course, it can also be a little apple to oranges to compare unaged agricole rum to say aged Flor de Cana.

And Mr. Hamilton is right about the Ti punch...I love those things.

[El Dorado]

.....are older rums necessarily better rums?

Would love to hear your view on this!

Cheers!
Christian

No. Simple statement, if you put trash in you can't expect to get gold out.
Ageing does change the character of your rums - making it round, smooth, removing the rough edges but it cannot work miracle.
When you make a piece of furniture, initially it is crude, rough, nothing to admire, but as you sand and polish it starts to become a piece of art. But like any good piece of furniture the wood has to be of good quality. Same with rum.

[Rum Runner]

No. Simple statement, if you put trash in you can't expect to get gold out.
Ageing do change the character of your rums - making it round, smooth, removing the rough edges but it cannot work miracle.
When you make a piece of furniture, initally it is crude, rough, nothing to admire but as you sand and polish it starts to become a piece of art. But like any good piece of furniture the wood has to be of good quality. Same with rum.

Good analogy El Dorado. In general terms most if not all spirits benefit from at least some type of ageing, no matter the color. I still have a botlte of Barcelo White from the DR. which states aged 4 years. I don't think they are marketing it here now. It's nice, but it's still only a mixer. It's not a sipping rum and does not have the flavor profile to stand on it's own in my opinion.

I saw in another thread you mentioned a new aged white from El Dorado. I applaud you on the new product.

I wonder what market you're company has aimed at with this new white?

[Michael]

...
Take Neisson Agricole Blanc...this rum is either not aged or aged very briefly, and it is a fabulous rum. To me, it is better than some 4 years, and one 7 year in particular.
...
And Mr. Hamilton is right about the Ti punch...I love those things.

Aren't most of the agricole blancs staled for up to a year before bottling?

We love Ti punch with most of the agricole rums tried so far ("Chauffe Coeur" being a notable exception). The Neisson and La Favorite Blancs make distinctly different Ti punches, both delicious and refreshing. Lately we've enjoyed a punch with La Favorite Ambre and the last fraction of our La Favorite Vieux, a rich change of pace.

Following a few gentle rejoinders from forum members, it has become clear that the quality of a rum can only be judged in the enjoyment thereof, not by age (stated or real) nor method of production.

[Edward Hamilton]

Aren't most of the agricole blancs staled for up to a year before bottling?

As part of the AOC regulations, all of the rhum agricole from Martinique has been staled, or allowed to rest, before being bottled. I believe the regulations state 4 months though most distillers stale the rum at least 6 months.


We love Ti punch with most of the agricole rums tried so far ("Chauffe Coeur" being a notable exception).

Actually that rum isn't exactly rhum agricole from Martinique and is being discontinued in the US. Instead of an Appelation d’Origine Contrôlée, they were claiming an Appelation Rhum Contrôlée which doesn't exist except on that label.

The Neisson and La Favorite Blancs make distinctly different Ti punches, both delicious and refreshing. Lately we've enjoyed a punch with La Favorite Ambre and the last fraction of our La Favorite Vieux, a rich change of pace.

Made with rhum vieux that would be called a punch vieux, pretty original eh?

Following a few gentle rejoinders from forum members, it has become clear that the quality of a rum can only be judged in the enjoyment thereof, not by age (stated or real) nor method of production.

I love aged rum but for my first drink of the day, I'm always reaching for a bottle of staled rum. Then it's on to my other favorites.

[El Dorado]

I saw in another thread you mentioned a new aged white from El Dorado. I applaud you on the new product.

I wonder what market you're company has aimed at with this new white?

This product was developed for all markets. It was first launched in the UK because that was where we saw the first opportunity. But we also have 750ml size for the markets outside of Europe which requires 700ml. size. We have already started to introduce the product in some North american market.

[Michael]

...
We have already started to introduce the product in some North american market.

Thanks for the quick response. We hope that the U.S. is part of that market. It is nice to have the representative of El Dorado as an active presence on these forums.

[El Dorado]

Following a few gentle rejoinders from forum members, it has become clear that the quality of a rum can only be judged in the enjoyment thereof, not by age (stated or real) nor method of production.

Not realy true. Ageing and method of production add to the enjoyment of the rum. It is the production method that gives a rum its unique character that makes it stand out from the others and this character is what is enhanced by ageing to make the rum enjoyable.