The Acronyms in Rum
Vous les voyez souvent, mais ils sont rarement compréhensible du commun des mortels !
Nous faisons un tour non exhaustif afin de mieux comprendre les étiquettes de rhum :
Les Sigles, Partie 1
You see them often, but they are rarely detailed on the bottles! These acronyms, from the world of Spirits, correspond to a minimum number of years of aging as follows:
VS: Ve ry Special : 2 years of aging (Rum called " Brun ", " Paille " or " Ambré ")
VO: Very Old : 3 years of aging (basis for the designation of " Old Rum " )
VSOP: Very Superior Old Pale : 4 years of aging. Appellation such as " Réserve Spéciale", " Cuvée Spéciale" , " Très vieux" etc)
XO: Extra Old : 6 years of aging. Appellations such as " Extra Vieux ", " Grande Réserve ", " Hors d'Age " etc)
In addition to this, you will need to know more about it.
Les Sigles, Partie 2
Some Old Rum are given special attention by the Cellar Master. Here are the 4 main categories that you can find:
In addition to this, you will need to know more about it.
Vintage : 1 single harvest & single distillation (Very Old (year), extra Old (year), Grande Réserve (year) etc. 6 years minimum. Eg "Grande Réserve 2006"
In addition to this, you will need to know more about it.
"Single Cask " / " Fut Unique ": Individual cask selected by the cellar master (Single Cask [year], Unique cask [year], etc.). Topping (addition of rum from the same vintage) and filtration possible. 6 years Minimum. Ex: Single Cask 2012
In addition to this, you will need to know more about it.
" Brut de Fût " or " Cask Strength ": Particular and identified cask. No intervention (reduction, topping, filtration) is carried out before bottling (Cask Strength [year], Brut de Fût [year], etc.). 6 years Minimum. Ex: Brut de Fut 2007
In addition to this, you will need to know more about it.
Vintage Blend : As a general rule, the youngest vintage rum residing in this blend is at least 4 years old ( Cuvée Spéciale, Prestige, Quintessence, Excellence , etc.) . Often in limited series and packaged in a carafe or in special packaging (commemoration). Ex: " Vintage 2001 Cuvée Quintessence "