Rum is complicated in India. There's a lot of cheap sugarcane spirit masquerading as rum. There's also imported Jamaican rum that's excellent but expensive. There's not much middle ground.
The Jaggery Component
Jaggery (also called gur) is unrefined sugar from sugarcane. It's literally Indian—you see it in Indian kitchens as a sweetener. Using it in rum production isn't exotic; it's authentic.
Jaggery-based rum has a different character than molasses-based rum. It's slightly sweeter, more caramel-forward, with different ester development during fermentation. It's the foundation that makes this rum distinctly Indian.
The Jamaican Component
Jamaican rum has centuries of tradition. Jamaican pot still rums (the funky ones) are beloved by enthusiasts. But Xclamat!on isn't using pot still funk here, it's using aged Jamaican spirit, which brings experience, depth, and proven structure.
Think of it this way: the Indian jaggery rum is bold, character-forward, and new. The Jamaican spirit brings balance, age, and confidence.
The Multi-Column Copper Still Distillation
Multi-column copper stills produce clean, refined distillation—the opposite of pot still distillation (which is rustic, heavy, funky). Xclamat!on is aiming for smoothness here, not funk.
This is a deliberate choice. They're not making a "crazy bold Jamaica-style rum." They're making a smooth blended rum that happens to include Jamaican character.
The Smooth vs. Bold Question
Xclamat!on Rum is smooth, not bold. If you're a pot still rum enthusiast who wants aggressive funk and character, this isn't your bottle. But if you want a rum that's interesting because it's balanced and refined rather than interesting because it's wild, this is it.
The jaggery component prevents it from being totally bland. The Jamaican component prevents it from being one-dimensional. But the multi-column distillation keeps it smooth and approachable.
The Packaging
Red glow-in-the-dark label. In tropical bar lighting, this is stunning. The color choice is strategic; red evokes rum, tradition, and warmth.
Where You Can Get It
Launch markets (2025): Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Rajasthan, Daman.
Geographic limitations: Same as the other spirits, Delhi, Karnataka, and Maharashtra are absent from the initial launch.
The Last Sip
Xclamat!on Rum is a solid "yes" if:
- You want premium rum at an accessible price
- You enjoy smooth, balanced rums over aggressive funk
- You appreciate a jaggery-based character without wanting wildness
- You drink rum in cocktails and neat equally
- You're exploring Indian-made premium spirits
- You like tropical, warming flavor profiles
Xclamat!on Rum is probably not for you if:
- You're a pot still rum enthusiast demanding funk and attitude
- You compare everything to elite aged rums (Appleton Estate 12YO+)
- You need availability outside launch markets
- You're skeptical of "character-driven" Indian spirits
- You prefer dry, austere rums to sweet, warming ones
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