Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest National Rum Day is held on August 16 and commemorates the distilled spirit made from sugarcane byproducts such as sugarcane juice or molasses. Rum celebrations all over the world usually last weeks, but due to the current state of the world, we’re toasting to this renowned spirit from the safety of our homes. Who better to give us rum recommendations than the captain of Buccaneers Rum & Cocktails Bar, Ulysse Jouanneaud. From rum that mixes well in cocktails to those that should be appreciated neat, here are Ulysse’s rum picks that everyone should have in their home bar. Diplomatico Rum Mantuano Diplomatico Mantuano Rumfrom Venezuela Diplomático Mantuano from Venezuela is an authentic blend of rums aged for up to eight years and is ideal for mixing in cocktails while also maintaining its complexity for those who prefer to drink it neat. Opening up with aromas of dried plums, oak and a delicate spiciness, it is complex and well-balanced on the palate, following on with notes of dried fruits, wood and vanilla. It’s a versatile spirit that works in a lot of cocktails, from a Dark and Stormy, to a Mai Tai, or a simple Rum Highball (50 ml Diplomatico Mantuano and top with soda with an orange peel twist). Purchase Diplomatico Mantuano for Php 1,650 at Wine Depot. Plantation O.F.T.D. Rum Plantation OFTD Plantation O.F.T.D. (Old Fashioned Traditional Dark) Overproof is a blend of rums from Barbados, Guyana, and Jamaica in the overproof dark style. Plantation Rum’s Master Blender, Alexandre Gabriel, assembled a team of rum masters – Jeff “Beachbum” Berry from Latitude 29, Martin Cate from Smuggler’s Cove, Paul McFadyen from Trailer Happiness, Paul McGee from Lost Lake, Scotty Schuder from Dirty Dick, and Dave Wondrich, cocktail historian extraordinaire – to perfect this blend. Over many tasting and blending sessions, they formulated an overproof rum that is great in cocktails that gives a kick to the classics. Ulysse often add half an ounce (15 ml) to a Mai Tai, Pina Colada, Dark and Stormy, and more to bring strength and flavors. It can also be sipped neat lightly diluted with water. Purchase Plantation OFTD Rum for Php 1,530.00 from Wine Depot. Veritas Rum Veritas Rum Veritas Rum is a rum I very often recommend for a daiquiri. A great blend of Barbados rum (Foursquare) and Jamaican rum (Hampden) that makes this white rum great for mixing. The pineapple, vanilla, and pepper notes make this rum the best to mix in a Daiquiri. (50 ml Veritas, 30 ml lime juice, 15 ml sugar syrup). Purchase Veritas Rum for Php 1,573.00 from Singlemalt.ph. Clairin Vaval Cavaillon Haiti Rum Clairin Vaval Cavaillon Haiti Rum The Clairin Rum ranges from Haiti are pretty distinctive. The mixed flavors are between grassy, smoky, earthy, and funky. The terroir makes this rum fantastically unique. Clairin Vaval makes an excellent Daiquiri. (50 ml Clairin, 30 ml lime juice, 20 ml sugar syrup). Purchase Clairin Vaval Cavaillon Haiti Rum from Singlemalt.ph. Santa Teresa 1796 Santa Teresa 1796 If you want rum to drink neat, give Santa Teresa 1796 a try. Santa Teresa 1796 is a bold, elegant, and Venezuelan single estate rum with blends up to 35 years. It’s very smooth and gentle rum to enjoy at home after a good heavy dinner. Santa Teresa is a Spanish-style rum that can be for beginners as well as intermediates and advanced drinkers. Purchase Santa Teresa from AWC. Plantation Xaymaca Special Dry Plantation Xaymaca Dry Rum Plantation Xaymaca Dry is a great Jamaican rum for intermediate drinkers, a low percentage of ester makes this rum funky enough and not too aggressive for the taste buds. It’s perfect to be drunk neat. Plantation Xaymaca recently won awards at the San Francisco World Spirit Competition. Purchase Plantation Xaymaca Special Dry from Wine Depot. Foursquare 2005 Foursquare 2005 Rum from Barbados Another rum to be enjoyed neat, Foursquare 2005 Rum from Barbados has a long finish in the mouth. It has notes of toffee, grilled bananas, charred oak, and tobacco leaves. Foursquare is a very complex rum that you must have on the shelf and is one of Ulysse’s favorite rums, so you know it must be good. Long Pond Rum 2007 Long Pond 2007 Rum from Jamaica Long Pond Rum 2007 is perfect for seasoned rum drinkers and connoisseurs. It has high ester and is super intense and funky. A beginner or intermediate drinker will not enjoy nor understand the flavor profile of this rum if their palate is not an advanced drinker. There you have it, folks! Which rum will try next? Not all of Ulysse’s recommendations are available in Manila just yet, but it’s only a matter of time before we can get a satisfying taste of all of these rums! ***Deliveries can only be made to areas not affected by the liquor ban.