Tasting

What does Inländerrum actually taste like? With a glass of Stroh in front of you, the first notes are vanilla and cinnamon, followed by clove and a touch of caramel. The company mentions additional spices it keeps secret. The character is often described as mild, chocolatey, and sweetish, even though there's barely any sugar in the glass.

For tasting, use a small nosing glass or a snifter; room temperature is fine. Nose it first from a bit of a distance, since at 54, 60, or even 80 percent alcohol, the fumes can sting the nose. Then take a tiny sip on the tongue. After swallowing, a warm, spicy finish lingers.

Water helps at high strengths. A few drops are enough to open up the aromas and tame the burn. With Stroh 80, this is almost essential if you want to taste more than just heat. There's no hard rule here; everyone finds their own way to their preferred taste.

Three bottles serve well as examples. The standard bottling from Stroh in Klagenfurt shows the basic character of Inländerrum. Stroh 80 represents the peak strength and the brand's iconic bottle. For comparison, a Tuzemák like Božkov from the Czech Republic fits well, working with rum essence but based on potato or beet alcohol.

Anyone used to drinking rum neat will find Inländerrum a different kind of drink altogether. It's not a sipping spirit for the bar, but a flavor enhancer for the kitchen and the hot mug. More on tasting can be found in the guides to drinking rum neat and tasting rum.