HELMUT Rum Liqueur. Rum liqueur made from eight-year-aged Caribbean rum – smooth, sweet, and complex, with 35% ABV.

HELMUT Rum Liqueur is a rum liqueur from Helmut Wermut in Hamburg. The base is a blend of Caribbean rums from the Dominican Republic, aged for eight years in American oak and six months in ex-bourbon casks. It has 35% ABV, 500 ml. Not a dry rum, not a cream liqueur – a sweet rum for the end of the evening.

Rum Liqueur from Helmut Wermut is a rum-based liqueur, i.e., a sweetened spirit. The producer is quite open about why HELMUT Rum Liqueur is labeled as a liqueur. For rum, there is an EU limit of 20 g of sugar per liter. HELMUT wanted to offer a sweeter version of their rum, and at 103 g of residual sugar per liter, it is well above that limit. Thus, it is called a liqueur. For a fine finish, the producer adds a little HELMUT Wermut Barrel Aged, a vermouth of their own making which, according to the producer, is reminiscent of port wine with fine bitter notes. Its home is the Caribbean; it receives its composition in Germany.

Taste

The rum liqueur tastes smooth and sweet, with notes of vanilla, caramel, and dried fruit. Behind these are hidden hints of chocolate and red berries.

The sweetness is at the forefront, carried by a rum that has aged for eight years in American oak. Dried fruits, chocolate, and red berries provide depth, and the producer describes the finish as complex. Helmut Wermut calls it a sweet rum liqueur for those with a sweet tooth. Compared to the spicy HELMUT Rum Vermouth Finish with its herbal and woody notes, the liqueur is soft and round. The Rum Barrel Aged also stays well below the liqueur, with 11 g of residual sugar per liter. If you are looking for a dry rum to drink neat, the Vermouth Finish is the right choice.

Usage

The rum liqueur works well neat as a sweet end to a dinner or in a Rum Sour. Served neat, pour it into a small glass, ideally with coffee or a piece of dark chocolate.

For a HELMUT Rum Sour, add 4 cl of HELMUT Rum Liqueur, 2 cl of lime juice, and 1 cl of sugar syrup to a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain the drink into a tumbler. Top with an orange zest. The lime keeps the sweetness of the liqueur in balance, making the drink fresh and well-rounded.

Our tip: Place the liqueur next to a dessert with red berries or a chocolate cake. The berry and chocolate notes in the glass will then be reflected on the plate.

Origin

Helmut Wermut is a vermouth brand from Hamburg, founded at the end of 2017 by Markus Weiß, who discovered the vermouth culture in Barcelona. Today, he runs the company together with Olina Kladensky. The rum was born out of an experiment: empty barrels from the HELMUT Wermut Barrel Aged were to be reused. Today, there are three HELMUT rums; the liqueur is the sweet version.

The rum for the liqueur comes from the Dominican Republic. It is a blend of rums from the same distillery, distilled from molasses using the column-still process and aged for eight years in American oak. This is followed by six months in ex-bourbon casks. Its composition as a liqueur, with more sweetness and vermouth for a rounded profile, takes place in Germany.

For whom

This rum liqueur is for anyone who likes sweet drinks and prefers their rum soft rather than sharp. It is perfect for dessert at a family meal and as a gift for people who enjoy a little glass with their coffee.

If you would like to try the HELMUT rums side-by-side first, start with the HELMUT Rum 3-piece Mini Tasting Box. All bottles can be found on our Helmut Wermut page. The liqueur has 35% ABV and is sold to persons 18 and over. It is not suitable for those looking for a tart, dry rum – its sweetness is distinct.

Caribbean rum with vanilla, caramel, and red berries – the rum liqueur from Helmut Wermut for a post-dinner glass and the Rum Sour.