Post #740188 by AdOrAdam on Thu, Mar 26, 2015 3:24 PM

The difference between gold & amber rums is... a smidgen of colour!?! I'd say the 'categorisation' doesn't matter, what does is the flavour.

I've had Plantation Barbados 5 before - it's a good rum!

To answer your question Wuppet:

I would consider gold Jamaican / Demerara / Martinque rums to be in distinct categories of their own - they are more flavoursome. Therefore if a drink calls for one of them, use the required style of rum - yes, Smith & Cross is a different beast. Plantation Barbados 5 would be a different choice as a substitution for one of there rums but you might like it.

To a certain extent Bajan / Trinidadian / other English styles of rum also fit in another category (depending on the rum - for example Cockspur or Mount Gay are quite different to Angostura 1919) but these are less used for 'tiki' mixing.

When Bajan rums are called for, I use Cockspur (mainly because I don't use it a lot & it's a good quality rum). Plantation Barbados 5 is a great example of a Bajan rum (it's higher class than Cockspur) - if I had it, I'd use it in this situation.

Spanish style gold or amber rums (the Flor De Cana / Cruzan / Havana Club style rums) are more interchangeable depending on your brand preference. Spanish style rums usually blend in alongside more flavoursome rums.

Plantation Barbados 5 would be fine in this situation but I'd definitely pick up some gold Spanish style rum - I wouldn't describe myself as an enthusiastic fan of this style of rum but I use plenty.

Havana Club Añejo Especial is my gold Spanish style rum of choice, a Cruzan Gold is a fine alternative to you in the US. Bacardi 8 is the one Spanish style rum that I have found carries a little more flavour when mixed so I use it less often in cocktails where it can stand out.

If a recipe calls for an unspecified gold or amber rum alongside other rums I would first use a Havana Club Añejo Especial.

If a drink calls for a unspecified gold or amber rum on its own I would use Cockspur, if I thought it needed a little something (after trying it with Cockspur) I would use El Dorado 5 or Appleton VX. Plantation Barbados 5 would be an excellent choice in most situations calling for a unspecified gold rum.

I've got to say - for me drinks that feature a single gold or amber rum on its own never really hit the spot for me but Plantation Barbados 5 year could tip the balance in your favor - have fun anyway :wink: