Rum Style

Rum-Verschnitt is Flensburg's signature style, and legally it is not rum at all. The law defines it as a spirit drink made in Germany by blending rum with neutral spirit. At least five percent of the alcohol must come from rum, the rest being alcohol from agricultural raw materials.

On the label, the word "Verschnitt" must appear in the same size, typeface, color and line as the word "Rum." This is meant to ensure no one mistakes it for pure rum. The minimum strength is 37.5 percent, with 40 to 42 percent being typical.

In the glass, a Verschnitt usually tastes milder and smoother than a pure Jamaican rum. This comes from the neutral spirit, which dilutes the aroma, and from the water. The higher the rum content, the more of the molasses, caramel and spice notes remain. The label doesn't always reveal exactly how high that share is for a given bottle. Anyone wanting to know for certain should simply ask the rum house about the blend.

This doesn't make Verschnitt a cheap rum. It is a distinct product with its own history, born out of customs regulations and a wish to spread rum's aroma across many bottles. Buying one gets you a mild, brown, rum-accented spirit well suited to grog and punch, and not meant to be compared to a pot-still rum.

A close relative is Austrian Inländerrum. Since 1999, it has consisted solely of rum alcohol and an essence, carries a minimum strength of 38 percent, and holds a protected designation of origin. Both drinks are legally not rum, but while the Flensburg Verschnitt relies on blending with neutral spirit, Inländerrum relies on flavoring.