Decadent Rum and Chocolate Pairings

In the world of confectionery, there is nothing more delectable, decadent, or delicious than that most highly regarded of sweets: chocolate.

With its infinite variations and seemingly universal appeal, chocolate has remained king among candies for countless generations and is well-known as a fine pairing for red wine and bourbon.

But what you might not know is that chocolate is the perfect companion to the sweet richness and complexity of fine rum. It brings out the drink’s natural fruitiness and exhilarating spice better than perhaps any other pairing.

The remarkable spectrum of offerings from Venezuelan rum maestros Diplomático provides an unmatchable platform for exploring the ways that any form of the delightful sweet – from creamy white chocolate to dark, bitter cacao – can bring out the very best of the spirit.

Diplomático’s distinguished and balanced blend of rums up to twelve years old, the Reserva Exclusiva, is famous for its bright citrus character and orange peel notes, making it a wonderful example of the Venezuelan style.

That also makes it a perfect pairing for the best orange-infused chocolates, from high-end, citrus-tinged French delights to the time-honored and beloved treats from Terry’s and Lindt. As your palate combines and co-mingles the orange flavors, it brings the differing notes to the fore, and that means the Reserva Exclusiva can showcase its rich toffee and baking spices better than ever before.

The versatile, flavorful Diplomático Mantuano, blended from rums aged up to eight years, is bursting with clear notes of dried fruit and soft vanilla, making it the perfect place to introduce a little nuttiness.

Pairing the Mantuano with hazelnut-imbued chocolate treats, like classic Ferrero Rocher or even perennial favorite Nutella, will bring the expression’s creamy vanilla character to center stage and highlight the otherwise delicate fruits and light spice in the rum.

The light, crystal clear Planas is Diplomático’s “white” offering, but that doesn’t mean it’s all young or unaged. In fact, the blend of rums here contains spirit aged up to six years on oak, imparting a bit of that mature sweetness and body that we all love in a sipping rum.

It also means that this white rum is perfectly paired with a bar of white chocolate.

With so little bitterness between the light rum and creamy white chocolate, the flavors on display in this pairing are all bright and playful as the milk-sugar sweetness in both takes a backseat to the Planas’ tropical fruits as well as the soft coconut notes pulled from its short time in oak barrels.

For a truly elegant and unparalleled experience, you can pair the Diplomático Ambassador, the crown jewel of their Prestige line, with any pure, powdered dark cacao and fresh fruit.

Dusting a strawberry or orange slice with the bitter cacao will create a foundation for the Ambassador to build on its endlessly rich flavors of oak spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and light, delicate wood smoke; all intertwining with the fruit juice and dark chocolate bitterness.

The Ambassador’s two full years of finishing in Pedro Ximenez sherry barrels also gifts this luxury spirit with an incomparable character of vanilla cream and toasted almond. Pairing the drink with dry, salty cocoa-roasted almonds will instead shine a light on the warm vanilla bean and natural fruit flavors, opening up a world akin to that of port wine with raisin, ripe plum, and licorice notes.

The pairing possibilities for chocolate and fine rum are endless, and can unlock any number of surprising, mouthwatering flavors that you will only discover by experimenting with these potent pairs yourself. You can find all of these rums and even more incredible offerings,  in our Diplomático Collection. Be sure to tag us on social when you share these pairings with your friends!