Distillation

After fermentation comes distillation. What's the difference between a pot still and a column still? The pot still operates in individual batches and leaves much of the flavor in the distillate. The column still, also called a continuous still, runs without interruption and separates more cleanly across multiple plates. Ron Montero uses the latter.

According to a report on the rum blog The Fat Rum Pirate, the still consists of four columns. The first operates under reduced pressure, so the liquid boils at around 65 degrees instead of 80. This is gentler on the aromatic compounds, since less heat is involved. This information comes from the producer and cannot be independently verified.

The result is a high-proof, very pure distillate. It must be cut with water before bottling. How much alcohol does rum contain? The EU requires a minimum of 37.5% ABV, and Ron Montero reportedly bottles at 40% ABV.

The house produces several brands. Ron Plata is the light rum, Ron Pálido the second, amber-colored tier, followed by the Gran Reserva. A bottling released for the fiftieth anniversary bears the founder's name, Ron Francisco Montero. The difference between white and dark rum comes down mainly to time in the cask and filtration.

Anyone wanting to experience pot-still rum needs to look to other regions in this journey. In Jamaica, double-retort pot stills are used, while Guyana employs wooden pot stills. On Madeira, which has its own region here, juice-based rums are distilled using both still types. Motril represents the clean, light side of rum.