Rum Overview: "Original" rum in Germany

da'rum · Post by **da'rum** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 7:54 am

This is a book released by Rumundco.de it's in German so may be a bit difficult to understand for those don't speak it. However it is interesting in a number of ways. It talks about rum classification in Europe and Flensburg Vershcnitt.

Link to German Rum E-book: here

So Just a quick translation of the classification part...

Original rum,
If rum in Germany is to be sold as 'Original' rum it is not merely an advertising point rather a quality assurance. If it is labelled original rum then it must be a rum that has NOT be altered post distillation in any way. The rum must originate from a rum producing country and after its arrival it can not be altered either. The abv is up to 80% or 160 proof.

Echter rum Translation 'real rum'
Even though there is no real discernible difference between the names 'real' and 'original' within rum classification it is a critical difference. Echter rum is altered by at least water to drinking strength and the nomenclature 'Echter' really only means that the rum was made from sugar cane. Echter rum is a creation of marketing.

Overproof rum
In a nut shell must be over 57.15% abv. Nothing mentioned about quality standard so I make the assumption that the 'over proof' would be accompanied with 'original' or whatever.

Flensburger Rum Verschnitt (Flensburger Rum Blend** see note below)
Is traditionally A special flavourful rum out of Jamaica (presumably high ester) mixed with water and Agrar Alcohol >> neutral alcohol made from sugar, grain or fruit<< When at about 70-80% abv is highly flavourful and aromatic. To be labelled 'Flensburger Verschnitt' it must have minimum 5% 'original' rum and bottled at minimum 37.5%abv. Verschnitt arose when in the 1800's the tax sky rocketed so this mix was made. It became popular and Rum houses like POTT, HANSEN and ASMUSSEN were successful.

**note there is a difference between 'Flensburger Verschnitt' and rum described as Verschnitt. Verschnitt means Blend, so nearly all rums except single cask will be a blend/Verschnitt of some description.

Inländer Rum
Originated in Austria, has an average of 38%abv although a famous brand Stroh had up to between 60-80% abv. Came about in the 1900's out of the colonies and was originally found in Chemists/Drugstores. It is a mix of Alcohol, aroma and colouring and is basically a faux rum. On the 1st Jan 1999 a law was made where the alcohol must be made from sugar cane.

The name Inländer rum was given to separate it from 'echter rum' With some differing EU laws stating that it must be labeled Inländer spiritouse' The EU interim order 110/2008 Annex 111 says that the product must come from Austria so it was a protected product of the Austrian region. However today it is made in Austria , Hungary and Germany and is very similar to German 'Kunst rum' (art rum or fake rum).

Post by **Capn Jimbo** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 8:20 am

Now THAT's what I'm talkin' about!

Absolutely love it! "Original Rum", unmodified following distillation (short of aging, of course). The large distillers have managed to fuzz up the notion of "pure", a word which they and their political buddies have disallowed in the regulations. But the concept of "original" would appear to supercede their self-serving arguments.

Brilliant, thanks.

da'rum · Post by **da'rum** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 10:08 am

Classification Translation/summary finished, I will translate some other bits that I found interesting.

Cheers.

da'rum · Post by **da'rum** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 12:24 pm

Before anyone mentions it, the author has a very strange top 5. He is a rum seller and may be a little biased toward suppliers he's perhaps financially entwined with. He's the same guy selling the 80€ Hombres stuff.