In Good Spirits – Rum Edition

Welcome to “In Good Spirits”, a month-long promotion highlighting a spirit with special pricing, buyer picks, educational insights for maximum enjoyment, and cocktail recipes.

Check out the store display and grab this month’s edition of our “In Good Spirits” brochure. You will enjoy excellent savings as you learn and sip with some of the region’s best prices on these featured bottles!

We are exploring the world of Rum this month, which includes White, Gold, Dark, Aged, Spiced/Flavored, and Rhum Agricole varieties for good measure.

Rum is a liquor made by fermenting and then distilling sugarcane molasses or sugarcane juice. The distillate, which is a clear liquid, is often aged in oak barrels. Rum originated in the Caribbean in the 17th century, but today it is produced in nearly every major sugar-producing region of the world, such as the Philippines.

Rums are produced in various grades based on the amount of time in barrel. Light rums are commonly used in cocktails, whereas “golden” and “dark” rums were typically consumed straight or neat, iced (“on the rocks”), or used for cooking, but are now commonly consumed with mixers. Premium rums are made to be consumed either straight or iced.

Without further ado, let’s jump into our list of curated spirit ‘stars’ this month.

Note: All prices in effect from February 1-28, 2025 at all four Oliver’s Market locations.

Featured Favorite

The Kraken Black Spiced Rum, 750 ML Bottle, $14.99 +crv                                                 

“The Kraken Black Spiced Rum- 94 proof Caribbean Black Spiced Rum that has essence of caramel, toffee, and spice and flavors of cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg. A truly unique offering to tame the beast.” – Justin Bowman, Cotati Wine Manager

White Rums

White rums are clear in color and usually unaged or lightly aged. They are light-bodied with mild flavors, which are often described as clean or crisp. They are ideal in cocktails when a neutral spirit is needed, such as mojitos, daiquiris, and piña coladas.

Bacardi Superior, 750 ML Bottle, $9.99 +crv 

“With its clean, crisp flavor and subtle hints of vanilla and almond, it blends seamlessly into drinks like mojitos, daiquiris, and piña coladas. It’s also great for mixing with your favorite sodas or juices for a refreshing and easy-to-make beverage.” – David Riley, Stony Point Wine Manager

Gold Rums

Gold rums are a beautiful amber color, which results from the barrel aging of the spirit. They possess a medium-bodied flavor profile, with notes of caramel and vanilla. They can be enjoyed in cocktails, neat, or on the rocks.

Bacardi Superior Gold, 750 ML Bottle, $9.99 +crv     

“This amber-colored rum offers a balanced blend of vanilla, toasted almond, and light oak notes, making it perfect for sipping neat or on the rocks. Whether you’re enjoying a quiet evening or hosting a gathering this classic delivers.” – David Riley, Stony Point Wine Manager

Dark Rum

Dark rum is deep in color, a result of extended aging, often in heavily charred barrels. It possesses rich notes of molasses, caramel, and spices with hints of vanilla and dried fruits. It is ideal for sipping near, on the rocks, or in complex cocktails.

Goslings Black Seal Bermuda Black Rum, 750 ML Bottle, $19.99 +crv

“Made from 150 year old recipe, Goslings Black Seal Rum is a blend of pot still and continuous rums aged in charred American oak casks. The result is complex, exciting rich flavors!” – Josh Kirchhoff, Corporate Wine & Liquor Coordinator

Aged Rums

Aged rum is matured in wooden barrels from a few years to several decades, where it develops a deep amber or brown color. The interaction between the rum and the wood during aging results in complex notes of caramel, vanilla, and spices, along with subtle hints of dried fruits and oak.

Kirk & Sweeney 12 year Aged Rum, 750 ML Bottle, $24.99 +crv         

“A great rum for someone who likes the sweeter side of things. This is bursting with oak, vanilla, and honey. I would also recommend this as a crowd pleaser since it is very approachable yet still has some higher-end complexities.” – Brandon Witwicki, Windsor Wine Manager

Appleton Estate Rum V/X, 750 ML Bottle, $16.99 +crv

“A taste of Jamaica, here is a Rum that shows luscious fruit flavors and aromas of dried apricot, fresh peach, and a hint of molasses. Perfect for a delicious island cocktail.”  – Justin Bowman, Cotati Wine Manager

Sweet & Spicy Rums

Flavored and spiced rums offer a playful twist to traditional rum, infusing the spirit with enticing aromas and tastes that elevate the drinking experience and add dimension to cocktails.

Bumbu “The Original” Rum, 750 ML Bottle, $24.99 +crv

“A big rum that teamed up with Lil Wayne! Seriously though, this is great and authentic. Since bringing it in last year I have had a hard time keeping it in stock!” – Brandon Witwicki, Windsor Wine Manager

Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, 750 ML Bottle, $12.99 +crv

“One of the inventors of the rum category. Captain Morgan has been around since 1944. A blend of Caribbean rum, real Madagascar vanilla, and spices. “Embrace your pirate spirit, we sail with Captain Morgan tonight!” – Matteo Polverari, Montecito Wine Manager

Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, 750 ML Bottle, $12.99 +crv

“This rum has a rich, smooth taste with notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and a hint of caramel. It’s perfect for mixing into classic cocktails like a rum and cola or a spiced rum punch, but it’s also smooth enough to enjoy neat or on the rocks.” – David Riley, Stony Point Wine Manager

Rhum Agricole

Rhum Agricole is a unique type of rum made from freshly squeezed sugarcane juice, rather than molasses. Originating in the French Caribbean islands, it has a distinctive, fresh and grassy flavor with hints of fruit and earthiness. The production process focuses on preserving the pure essence of the sugarcane, making rhum agricole stand out for its authentic and aromatic profile.

KoHana Hawaiian Agricole Rum, Kea Varietal, 750 ML Bottle, $33.99 +crv

“Made with freshly pressed heirloom Hawaiian sugarcane, you pick up notes of tropical fruit, butterscotch and earthiness. Enjoy it neat, on the rocks or in your favorite cocktail!” – Matteo Polverari, Montecito Wine Manager

The Care and Keeping of your Rum                                                   

  • Store in a cool, dark area, such as a wine cellar, pantry, cabinet or box
  • Store your rum in its bottle of a well-sealed decanter
  • Store at a stable temperature, and avoid sunlight (68-72 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal)
  • To enjoy all of its nuanced flavors, rum should not be chilled. Aged rums should be served at room temperature, as this helps release the wonderful aromas in the spirit. Drinking good rum neat should be a process of sensory appreciation – exploring the aromas, flavors, and the finish of the spirit.

Ways to Enjoy Rum

  • On the rocks, where nuanced flavors emerge as the ice slowly melts
  • Sipped Neat, ideally in a glass that allows savoring the aromas and flavors
  • In a cocktail, which can range from very simple to complex
  • In a hot drink, where adding rum brings out its rich flavors and soothing aromas

Recipes

Bumbu Mojito

  • 2 oz. Bumbu Original
  • 3/4 oz. Lime Juice
  • 3/4 oz. Simple Syrup
  • 3 oz. club soda
  • 7-10 mint sprigs
  1. Add 7-10 mint sprigs into a cocktail shaker, pour in Bumbu, lime juice, and simple syrup.
  2. Cover with ice and shake vigorously.
  3. Once shaken, pour in club soda and fine strain into a Collins glass garnished with mint.

 Sea Monster Mai Tai

  • 2 pts Kraken Black Spiced Rum
  • ½ pt Orange Curacao
  • ¾ pts Lime Juice
  • ¼ pt Orgeat
  • ¼ pt Ginger Syrup
  1. Pour all ingredients except for rum into a shaker. Add ice and shake.
  2. Transfer to a large rocks glass and top with crushed ice.
  3. Finish by topping with rum. Garnish with Mint and freshly grated Nutmeg.

Summer Watermelon Cooler

  • 1 ½ oz. Bacardi Superior
  • ¾ oz. Watermelon juice
  • 2 oz. grapefruit soda
  • Garnish: lime wedge and blueberries
  1. Fill a tall glass with lots of ice.
  2. Measure and pour all ingredients into your iced glass. Give all of the ingredients a quick stir to combine.
  3. Garnish with a lime wedge and blueberries. Enjoy!

Jamaican Mule

  • 2 parts Appleton
  • 3 lime wedges
  • 2 parts ginger beer
  • 1 dash aromatic bitters
  1. Squeeze the limes into a rocks glass, pressing them with a muddler.
  2. Add ice and combine remaining ingredients in the glass and stir.

Rum-Soaked Pineapple

Experience the versatility of rum in a multitude of recipes, like this simple but delicious dessert!

Ingredients:

  • 1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into rings or chunks
  • ½ cup dark rum
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 Tsp ground cinnamon
  1. In a large bowl, combine the rum, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
  2. Add the pineapple pieces, tossing to coat them evenly
  3. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour, or overnight for a more intense flavor
  4. Serve the rum-soaked pineapple as a dessert on its own, or over ice cream.

Rum is fascinating! Did you know:

  • Rum is one of the oldest distilled spirits in the world, with production dating back to the 17th century in the Caribbean
  • The British Navy had a tradition of giving sailors a daily rum ration, known as a “tot”. This practice continued until 1970!
  • Bacardi once experimented with aging rum in space! They sent a sample to the International Space Station to study how zero gravity affects the aging process.
  • The main ingredient in rum is sugar cane, which originally came from New Guinea and was brought to the Caribbean by Christopher Columbus
  • While the Caribbean is the heart of rum production, countries like the Philippines, India, and the United States also produce significant amounts of rum.

We invite you to explore Rum this month at these very special prices, and don’t forget that our team of knowledgeable Wine, Beer & Spirits staff is always ready to assist. Cheers! 

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