Khukri Rum | Blend of Nepal’s true spirit
"Through six decades of production, iconic Oak Vatted Khukri Rum has satisfied millions of Nepali and foreigner rum lovers. This original Nepali iconic brand can be found in restaurants in London to Everest Base Camp"
Khukri Rum is an iconic brand and production plus a true pride of Nepal. Through six decades of production, iconic Oak Vatted Khukri Rum has satisfied millions of Nepali and foreigner rum lovers.
This original Nepali iconic brand can be found in restaurants in London to Everest Base Camp.
The origin of Rum dates back to the 7th century A.D. when Vagbhata an Indian Ayurvedic physician advised a man to drink rum mixed with mango juice with friends.
It was also the first spirit that was consumed for recreational purposes and not for medical use.
“Shidhu” a drink similar to rum, fermented and distilled sugarcane juice is mentioned in several Sanskrit texts.
There are parts of history where Rum has been mentioned as a highly valuable commodity.
In 1655 British fleet even invaded the island of Jamaica, because of the availability of domestically produced Rum.
In the 18th century, rum was used as a type of currency in some contexts. The sailors used to receive barrels of rum as a form of payment as part of their benefits package.
Khukri Rum, just like the good old rum itself, carries a bulk of history with its existence in Nepal.
Khukri Rum Tale:
Nepal Distilleries (P) Ltd (NDPL) started the production of Khukri Rum in 1959. In the early years, they used the Pot Stills, the design of which dates back to the 1870s, to distill the alcohol.
Those pot stills are on display in its factory premises and the company now uses three fractionating columns for the distillation of alcohol.
NDPL was the first distillers in Nepal and they marketed the product as “Khukri Rum XXX”.
In 1974, they introduced a new addition to their production called “Coronation XXX”.
Each individual bottle handcrafted to the shape of Khukri was launched to mark the coronation of King Birendra.
This set off the product into its first wave of popularity which has continued to this date.
Khukri Rum has evolved to become an internationally acclaimed, award-winning rum, enjoyed by international rum connoisseurs and the rest of us.
The Khukri XXX Rum won the Gold Award at the International Rum Festival in Canada, 2002.
The Coronation XXX bagged the Gold Medal: Dark Rum Award at the International Sugar Cane Spirits Tasting in Ybor City, Florida in 2006.
Production:
Pure and fresh water is essential for the quality of rum, the ideal climate for slow aging and a nuanced flavor is cool weather.
Started with pot stills from the 1800s, now the production is done in a 3 column distillation plant and specialized wooden vats of oak for maturation.
It is distilled from fermented molasses matured for a minimum of eight months and has an alcohol content of 42.8%.
The maturation vat is emptied only partially each time, which leaves a percentage of rum behind to age further until next time.
The youngest rum in the blend in any batch is as young as 8 months old, while the oldest rum might have been in the vat when the process started numbers of years ago.
Each bottle of rum goes through combined processing among the latest technology of 3 column distillation as well as crafty hands and eyes of employees dedicated to manufacturing impeccable quality rum.
The Blends:
I. Khukri XXX Rum:
With a hint of Oak Wood, the dark rum is distinguished by its lingering aroma along with a smooth and balanced flavor. Only spring water from the Himalayas is used to produce the rum, its distilled from fermented molasses and matured for a minimum of 8 months.
II. Khukri Rum Spice:
This type of rum is only produced by NDPL in South Asia. Cloves, Cardamom, and Cinnamon hand-picked in the Himalayas are used to make this.
This is an all-season rum and an overall balanced drink.
III. Coronation Khukri:
The content and mixture are the same as the regular Khukri XXX rum. What distinguishes it is the unique shapes of the bottle. Each bottle is handmade with a somewhat rough finish. The exclusive design of the bottle makes it a perfect souvenir and gift for your friends from home and abroad.
Other blends that NDPL is distributing in Nepal are Gaule, Napoleon, Old Reserve Whiskey.
The Himalayan Touch
“If there ever was a blend in a bottle that carried rich stories of a proud heritage, it has to be Khukri.”
Our country being blessed with the majestic Himalayas offers the source for fresh, pure, and ice-cold waters. Which is the essential element that makes Khukri rum what it is. The fresh spring waters that flow from the Himalayas carry the best mineral, the ideal pH value, and the flavor. This beautiful formulation of nature flows down thrashing against the rocks from the mountains and the hills of some of the highest altitudes, making its way to the sip of Khukri Rum.
Raj Kapali
