White oak rum is made from sugarcane products, just like all other types of rum. The process of making rum begins with the extraction of sugarcane juice or the fermentation of molasses, a byproduct of sugarcane processing. Once the sugarcane juice or molasses is obtained, it is fermented using yeast to convert the sugar into alcohol. This fermentation process typically takes several days or weeks, depending on the specific recipe and desired flavor profile.
After fermentation, the resulting liquid is distilled to separate the alcohol from impurities and to increase the alcohol content. Distillation involves heating the liquid and collecting the alcohol vapors that evaporate at a lower temperature than water or other substances. The collected alcohol vapor is then condensed back into a liquid form, resulting in a higher concentration of alcohol.
For white oak rum, the next step involves aging the distilled rum in oak barrels made from white oak wood. The use of oak barrels during aging is what gives rum its distinct flavor and character. The oak barrels allow the rum to interact with the wood, imparting flavors such as vanilla, caramel, and spice. The aging process also allows the rum to mellow and develop more complex flavors over time.
However, white rum is typically aged for a shorter period compared to darker rums. This shorter aging period, sometimes as little as a few months, allows the rum to retain its clear and transparent appearance. White rum may also undergo a filtration process to remove any impurities or color that may have developed during aging.
It is worth noting that some white rums may not be aged at all and are instead bottled straight from the distillation process. These unaged white rums, sometimes referred to as “silver” or “blanco” rums, have a lighter and crisper flavor profile compared to aged rums.
White oak rum is made from sugarcane products and undergoes a fermentation and distillation process to obtain the alcohol. It is then aged in oak barrels made from white oak wood, although the aging period is typically shorter compared to darker rums. The result is a clear and transparent rum with a distinct flavor profile influenced by the interaction with the oak barrels.