Diplomatico Planas

Planas is a rum from Diplomático, and the name points to the brand's clear, light-bodied expression. The listing doesn't give an age statement, ABV or tasting profile, so what follows describes what white rums in this style usually offer. Expect a clean, soft nose with light cane sweetness, a touch of vanilla and perhaps some tropical fruit or faint oak. The palate should be smooth and gently sweet, without the heavy molasses weight of dark rums. If the bottle has been charcoal-filtered, as many clear aged rums are, the finish will be short and tidy. That profile makes it first a mixing rum. Sipping neat or over a large cube is possible, and a lightly aged white rum can be pleasant that way. But its strengths show in cocktails where the rum has to support the other ingredients without dominating them. The Daiquiri is the obvious test. Shake 60 ml rum with 22 ml fresh lime juice and 15 to 20 ml simple syrup, then strain into a chilled coupe. A light rum like this lets the lime lead and keeps the sweetness in check. For a Mojito, muddle mint gently with sugar and lime in a highball, add the rum and crushed ice, top with soda and stir briefly. Its softness stops the mint and soda from being overpowered. In a Piña Colada, blended with pineapple juice, coconut cream and ice, a clean white rum lets the fruit and coconut come through, and you can add a little extra rum if the drink tastes too sweet. A Dark 'n' Stormy is usually made with a dark rum, so it is better to save Planas for the other three. For a Rum Old Fashioned, a dark or aged bottle is the better choice, though a white rum with a dash of bitters and a small spoonful of demerara syrup makes a lighter version. For serving, chill the rum, or at least the glass, before making stirred or shaken drinks. Use a coupe or Nick & Nora for the Daiquiri, a highball or Collins glass for the Mojito, and a hurricane or tall tulip glass for blended drinks. For a neat pour, a small tulip-shaped glass at cool room temperature shows the aroma best. Light rum also works with ceviche, grilled shrimp, fried plantains and citrus-dressed salads.