What does XO mean for rum?

Its price point ($100) and bottle make it the best gift rum for someone you care about this National Rum Day, but its taste may make you want to hang onto it yourself. Borrowed from cognac labels, XO means “extra old,” and it certainly is at 25 years, spent in a mix of sherry, bourbon, and French oak barrels.

What does VSOP stand for rum?

VSOP stands for “Very Superior Old Pale”: VSOP cognacs are created from eaux-de-vie aged for at least four years. The VSOP category includes designations such as “Old” or “Reserve”. XO stands for “Extra Old”: XO cognacs are made only from eaux-de-vie at least six years old.

Is XO better than VSOP?

Is XO or VSOP better? An XO cognac must be aged for a minimum of 10 years, in comparison a VSOP must age for a minimum of four years. It comes down to personal preference which is better but an XO is usually considered as superior.

Is white or dark rum better?

It depends If you want to sip or drink something more distinct in flavor, because if that's the case, then dark rum may be better than white rum. But if you want a lighter flavor and serve cocktails like Pina Coladas, Mojitos, or any rum-based tropical drinks, we suggest you use white rum.

What does VS mean in rum?

The designations VS (Very Special), VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale), and XO (Extra Old) on Cognac labels indicate how long the spirit has been aged. VS stands for “at least two years of age,” VSOP for “at least four years of age,” and XO (Extra Old) for “at least six years of age.”

Rum Review: Doorly’s XO Barbados Rum! TRASH? Sipper? or Mixer? (Barbados Rum)

Is aged rum better?

The longer rum and whisky are aged, the more their tastes converge. After 3 years they may start to share a similar flavor profile, with tannins and vanilla and caramel notes taking the lead over their respective raw materials. After 5 or 6 years, they're all but finishing each other's sentences.

What is the best age for rum?

“There's a level of expectation you have when tasting a rum aged more than 10, 15 or 20 years. You expect it to be rich, complex, flavorful and balanced,” she says. “You want the rum to draw you in and continue to evolve like a great wine, but not all aged rums have these characteristics.”

What is the world's best rum?

What's better BACARDÍ or Captain Morgan?

Captain Morgan White Rum is much sweeter and softer but with a little less structure than Bacardi Superior. Bacardi's finish is a lot drier and more acidic, but the flavors in Superior taste more true to the base molasses, and Superior also has a superior mouthfeel.

What's the difference between XO and VS brandy?

The designations you see on Cognac labels—VS (Very Special), VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) and XO (Extra Old)—are a guarantee of how long a Cognac has been aged. VS indicates that the Cognac has been aged at least two years, VSOP at least four years and XO (Extra Old) at least six years.

Is Hennessy a cognac or brandy?

Hennessy is one of the big names in cognac, which is a style of brandy produced exclusively in the French region of Cognac.

Why is it called Napoleon brandy?

“Legend has it that he chose several casks of Cognac as his one granted item of luxury,” Courvoisier's website reports, “a treat much appreciated by the English officers on board HMS Northumberland during their 67-day voyage. They named it 'The Brandy of Napoleon. '”

What does hors d age mean for cognac?

Hors D'âge Cognac is generally considered to be Cognac so fine that it transcends the normal age-based scale, Hors D'âge literally meaning "beyond age". See and sample for yourself, these Cognacs really are very fine indeed.

Which is better Hennessy VS or VSOP?

Hennessy Privilege VSOP ($50) has a smooth but stronger flavor than VS, with heavier wood on nose. VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) is a blend of 60 different eau de vie with the oldest being 15 years, and the youngest 4-5 years.

What is hors d age?

Hors d' Age means „beyond age“ and is the age category that describes the highest quality Cognac–in terms of age that is. Officially, it is classed in the XO age denomination, but it is used for Cognacs that have an average age of 30 years and above. Hors d'Age blends can be 30, 40, 50, even up to a 100 years old. A...

What rum is top shelf?

What rum did Pirates drink?

What Kind Of Rum Is In Pirates Of The Caribbean? Pirate's Grog is a gold rum that was discovered on Roatán, a small Caribbean island 60 kilometers off the coast of Honduras, and has won numerous awards.

Is Captain Morgan a top shelf?

Are Sailor Jerry and Captain Morgan top-shelf rums? Yes, Sailor Jerry and Captain Morgan are top-shelf rums. The two rum brands have excellent taste. They are well-known for their distinctive flavors and are a go-to option for bartenders when making a cocktail drink.

Do people drink rum straight?

Rules for Drinking Rum

How to drink rum — just like whiskey with a splash of water or ice, and a slice of lime. Or simply drinks it neat in a small glass, warmed between your hands.

How long does rum last once opened?

Unopened rum can last for decades upon decades. But once the bottle is opened, rum goes pretty fast. Seaspirits Distillery, master rum distillers, recommend drinking a bottle of rum within 6 months of opening.

Which rum is best with Coke?

Do you put ice in rum?

Drink It Like Whiskey—with a Splash of Water or Ice

Most spirits are distilled to 40 percent alcohol by volume, or 80 proof, but many rums are bottled at higher proofs. For those stiffer rums, “adding ice or a splash of water will mellow it out so the alcohol vapors don't overpower the subtle flavors,” says Vida.

How can you tell good rum?

Using your senses, it's easy to tell whether you've got a nice rum or a dud. Pour it into a clear glass and examine its color and clarity. White rums will be clear while dark rums will have an amber tint. If it's cloudy, it's no good.

What is the difference between spiced rum and gold rum?

Spiced rum is rum that has been flavored with various spices, most commonly cinnamon and allspice, and is often made from gold rums, though cheaper varieties often use white rums and color them with caramel coloring.