Drinking trends are fickle and often contradictory things. Lately, anything aged and complex is red-hot, from bourbons to tequilas to single malt whiskies, and the older the better. And yet, youthful flavoured spirits such as imaginative gins, spiced Canadian whiskies and all manner of juiced-up vodkas are also making headlines. One spirit can satisfy both the aged and flavour trends: rum.
The stereotype has been changing of late as aged and spiced rums make their way into more than just shots and shooters.
“A good spiced rum can provide depth and character to an otherwise one-note rum cocktail,” says Lauren Mote, co-owner of Bittered Sling bitters, bar manager at Vancouver’s UVA Wine & Cocktail Bar and winner of Diageo World Class Canada Bartender of the Year, 2015.
(Read more, including notes on Bacardi Fuego, Mt. Gay Black Barrel and Flor de Cana 12 Year Old, plus the recipe for Lauren Mote’s Amphibious cocktail, at The Globe and Mail.)