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Is Captain Morgan White Rum a spiced rum?


Captain Morgan White Rum is a variety of spiced rum produced by the Captain Morgan Rum Company. Rum in general is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane byproducts such as molasses or directly from sugarcane juice. The distillate is then usually aged in oak barrels. Spiced rum specifically has additional flavors added through the infusion of spices and other ingredients during the distillation process. Some of the most common spices used in spiced rums include vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. The spices and flavorings give spiced rums a distinct taste profile from traditional unspiced rums. So is Captain Morgan White Rum a spiced rum variety? Let’s take a closer look at the production process and ingredients to find out.

Captain Morgan Rum Company

The Captain Morgan Rum Company is a subsidiary of the British alcohol conglomerate Diageo. They produce a wide range of rums under the Captain Morgan brand, including spiced rums, coconut rum, and classic gold and black label varieties. The company was founded in 1944 and is one of the best selling rum brands worldwide. Their rums are distilled in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The distillery then blends and flavors the rums before bottling them for sale. So the Captain Morgan Company has a long history of producing both regular and spiced rums.

Production of Captain Morgan White Rum

According to the Captain Morgan website, their White Rum begins with a blend of rums distilled from molasses. The rums are distilled multiple times to produce a light and subtle flavor profile. Unlike their spiced varieties, no artificial flavors or spices are added to the White Rum. Instead, the rum is filtered multiple times to remove impurities and produce a crystal clear appearance. The result is meant to be a rum that showcases the pure sugarcane flavor. While many white rums on the market are quite harsh and raw, Captain Morgan White Rum is charcoal filtered to produce a softer, cleaner taste. So unlike spiced rums, no spices, vanilla, or other flavorings are added to Captain Morgan White Rum during production.

Ingredients

The ingredients listed for Captain Morgan White Rum are as follows:

  • Carbon filtered water
  • Molasses
  • Yeast

As you can see, the ingredient list confirms that only water, molasses, and yeast are used to make Captain Morgan White Rum. There are no spices, essences, artificial flavors, or coloring added. This sets it apart from Captain Morgan’s lineup of spiced rums. Those products contain a proprietary blend of spices and natural flavors like vanilla, cinnamon, and citrus.

Nutrition Information

Here is the nutrition information for a standard 1.5oz serving of Captain Morgan White Rum:

Nutrient Amount
Calories 96
Carbohydrates 0 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 0 g

As you can see from the nutrition label, there are no sugars or carbohydrates listed for Captain Morgan White Rum. This confirms that no artificial sweeteners, sugars, or flavorings have been added. If it contained additional spices and flavorings like their spiced varieties, there would be traces of sugars, carbohydrates, and other nutrients.

Flavor Profile

Here is how Captain Morgan describes the flavor of their White Rum:

  • Subtle and mild rum flavor, not overly sweet
  • Notes of vanilla and toasted coconut
  • Smooth and clean finish

While words like “vanilla” and “coconut” are used, keep in mind these flavors come naturally from the rum itself during the distillation process. No artificial or added flavors create these taste notes. Drinkers praise Captain Morgan White Rum for being crisp, mixable, and not overly harsh like some lower-quality white rums. It mixes cleanly into cocktails without overpowering other ingredients. The flavor profile is smooth, subtle and balanced.

Cocktail Uses

Here are some popular cocktails that use white rum as a key ingredient:

  • Mojito – white rum, lime, mint, sugar, soda water
  • Daiquiri – white rum, lime juice, sugar syrup
  • Rum Punch – white rum, fruit juices, syrups
  • Piña Colada – white rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice
  • Mai Tai – white and dark rum, orange curacao, orgeat syrup

As you can see, white rum is commonly used in refreshing, fruity cocktails that highlight its clean taste. The subtle flavor profile makes it perfect for blending with citrus, tropical fruits, and sweeteners. Captain Morgan White Rum is considered a good mid-range product that provides solid quality for mixed drinks without breaking the bank.

Recommended Drink Recipes

Here are two suggested drink recipes that showcase Captain Morgan White Rum well:

Captain’s Coconut Mojito

  • 2 oz Captain Morgan White Rum
  • 3 lime wedges
  • 8-10 mint leaves
  • 1.5 oz coconut water
  • 1 tsp superfine sugar
  • Crushed ice
  • Club soda
  • Lime wheel for garnish

Instructions: Muddle lime wedges, mint leaves, and sugar in a glass. Add ice, rum, and coconut water. Top with club soda and stir. Garnish with lime wheel.

Morgan Mule

  • 2 oz Captain Morgan White Rum
  • .75 oz lime juice
  • 4-6 oz ginger beer
  • Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions: Fill copper mug or glass with ice. Add rum and lime juice. Top with ginger beer and stir gently. Garnish with lime wedge.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Captain Morgan produces many popular spiced rums, their White Rum variety is not a spiced rum. No artificial flavors, spices, sweeteners, or colors are added during production. It is distilled from pure molasses and filtered to produce a subtle, smooth spirit showcasing the natural flavor of sugarcane. The production process, ingredients list, nutrition information, and flavor profile all confirm that Captain Morgan White Rum does not contain any additives characteristic of spiced rums. Instead, it’s flavor comes directly from the rum distillate. So while excellent for cocktails, Captain Morgan White Rum is better categorized as a pure, unspiced rum.