Traditionally
in Barbados, 'light rums' from the column stills are called "single"
and 'heavy rums' from the pot still are called "redistilled" The words "single" and
"redistilled" are actually stamped on the barrels.
 |
| Column Still |
Single is
derived from 'single distilled' as in one pass through the column still. How
ironic the moronic "times distilled" marketing mantra refers to the
number of columns in a distillation plant !!! 'Redistilled' comes from the practice of
physically passing the rum through the pot still twice, classic double
distillation, which is even more ironic since the classic rum pot still with
pot and twin retort needs only one pass !
 |
| Pot Still |
In the classic
style of Barbados, Jamaica and Guyana, at Foursquare we make 'Blended Rums' in
the true meaning of the term (blended) in that aged "single" (i.e.
column still) and aged "redistilled" (i.e. pot still) rums are blended for the
final result. Blended really means blended, none of that solera stuff.
No doubt the
art of blending pot and column is derived from our Scottish brethren but at
Foursquare we take advantage of the fact that our stills are side by side and
so our "single" rum has a touch of "redistilled" and our
"redistilled" has a touch of "single", all done before
aging.
 |
| "Single" Rum aging at Foursquare Distillery |
We still call and
mark them "single" and "redistilled," I just think they are
better for their little "impurity".
Now we
completely agree with our good friend Luca Gargano that "Pure Single
Rum" (i.e. simply a beautiful name for pot stilled rum) is the very
highest expression of rum there can be. higher than blended rums, higher than
column rums. “rum for big boys and girls”. Not telling you what to prefer but
"highest" meaning the fullest flavor of the molasses wine and the
highest intrinsic value.
So we are thinking
to release a "Pure Single Rum" even if just a limited edition, we
need our "redistilled" to make our blends!.
Of course our
"Pure Single Rum" will have a little "impurity" but I do
not think that will spoil the intent or the expression.
We need in rum the "single malt"
revolution of the 60’s which invented the category as the highest expression of
whisky. The weapons, though scarce, are around, thanks to the likes of Velier
and others, but we seem to be making little use of them, rum opinion leaders
take note. Little wonder our super premium category practically does not exist,
only 1% of sales, because we can’t even define it properly. We are yet even to
get our heads around "blended". If it ever comes it will be a
revolution because sacred cows will be decimated and for many their rum world
will be upside down. Time we at Foursquare played our part, pure single rum
here we come.
Thanks to Richard Seale for taking some time to give us a real informative definition of these two types of classic and "pure rums".