Best Rums for Vanilla Extract Making at Home

[@luannemacdonald8380]

I have tried 2 different runs. My dark, spiced rum smells so good. I also used white rum, different beans. Thank you for all your helpful information. Can’t wait till it’s ready.

[@VanillaPura]

Sounds fun! Keep us posted!

[@VStover]

Have you tried Kula organic rum for making vanilla?

[@VanillaPura]

We haven't but it sounds yummy. Make sure it has 35%-50% alcohol if you try it and, if you do, please let us know the results! Have fun!:)

[@Dcrock8442]

Can you use vanilla rum to make vanilla

[@VanillaPura]

We always advise against using spirits with artificial flavors for a couple of reasons: 1) it's artificial - and the artificial flavors don't always blend well with real vanilla and, 2) artificially flavored spirits are often (not always, but often) less than the minimum 35%abv that you need, and the extracts won't turn out. :)

[@atripp883]

Tks for the research! I have tried Cpt Morgan Coconut Rum with Ugandan, yummy!! And I have tried Cpt M Spiced for cinnamon extract - wowsers!! Have you had experience with making coconut extract? - kind of flakes - options for spirit Loved the Rum vid ✔️

[@VanillaPura]

Sounds fun! With coconut extract you just need to make sure that it has at least 35%-50%abv. If it's less than 35%, it won't turn out - and many are less. Otherwise, we'd say make a regular vanilla extract in vodka and just add real coconut shavings for a month and then strain them out. :)

[@brendamurray6073]

Thank you great information, I'm gluten free.and making Vanilla Pura.

[@VanillaPura]

Most spirits are gluten free, so that's a plus. Do your research on spirits (especially those with artificial flavors) as they may not be gluten free. Have fun! :)

[@michellee2722]

I just started my 1st vanilla extracts 2 months ago. I used a variety of rums. White, dark, spiced, coconut, Bahamian Banana, Caribbean chocolate, and pineapple. Have you tried flavored ones?

[@VanillaPura]

Great question! Spiced rum is one of our favorites. We haven't had a lot of success with others. Many of them are less than 35% alcohol, so they won't extract properly. Sometimes the artificial tastes don't blend well with the vanilla. We'll be anxious to hear how yours turn out! If you check and see that the alcohol content is low, you can add some high proof everclear to the solution to increase abv to the right level, so you don't need to throw anything out. :)

[@mdaneke4317]

I have 2 different rums I’m trying and hoping after curing they come out great. I am using Bicardi coconut rum and my second is Bicardi banana rum. The Bicardi banana has been discontinued so I went out and bought 4 half gallons before it’s gone for good. I read on the labels that both rums were made with natural flavor and no artificial flavors. I put a shot of vanilla in my coffee every morning and a friend gave me a 18 ounce bottle of the coconut and was wowed. You take a sip of the coffee and the 1st thing you taste is the vanilla and a couple of seconds after you have just a little coconut after taste. I love both flavors so decided to make some. Fingers crossed on the Banana rum. Hope it comes out great because I bought the last bottles of it.

[@VanillaPura]

Sounds like two very fun experiments. Let us know how they turn out. Enjoy the journey! :)

[@angeliafulton9618]

How did you banana rum go with making the vanilla extract? I’m very curious.

[@alicesmith2261]

Oh and what spiced rum is best?

[@VanillaPura]

Capt Morgan is great.

[@alicesmith2261]

@@VanillaPura thank you!

[@habitspinkrabbits4452]

I went with a 151 is there anything I can do to reduce the bite?

[@VanillaPura]

I'm assuming you are referring to a 151 proof, like Everclear? If so, you need to dilute it or it will hurt your beans. 151 proof is 75.5% alcohol which is too high of an alcohol content. You need to be 35% to 50% alcohol, so I would add 1 part purified/filtered water to every 2 parts of your 151, which will get you down around 50% ABV.

[@alicesmith2261]

What do you think about Kirk and Sweeney 12 year? That’s the only one I can find here, we don’t have the 23 year.

[@VanillaPura]

K&S 12 is wonderful. You’ll love it!

[@alicesmith2261]

@@VanillaPura do you think it’s better than the Captain Morgan? 🤔

[@VanillaPura]

@@alicesmith2261 Depends on your taste. For holiday cooking, the capt morgan is wonderful. K&S is more traditional with broader applications. It will be wonderful for holiday baking AND non-holiday baking. Capt M meanwhile is EXCELLENT for holiday cooking but then goes on the shelf after the holidays.

[@alicesmith2261]

@@VanillaPura oh I see! You’re talking about the Captain Morgan white rum, right? I think that was the mid shelf option, and I wasn’t sure if I should use their white rum or the 12 year K&S. If it’s best for just the holidays I’ll probably only make one bottle and the rest K&S. Or were you referring to the CM spiced rum?

[@VanillaPura]

@@alicesmith2261 Yes, I was speaking of Capt Morgan spiced rum. I would pick K&S over all regular Capt Morgan’s, but that’s subjective. Capt Morgan makes great runs. :)

[@jenblindert9093]

I'm new to extract making and no nothing about alcohol. I wish I would've found your video a few days earlier because I used 5 o'clock Vodka for my first batch because it was less expensive. Was that a mistake?

[@VanillaPura]

Vodka is a pretty safe spirit to begin with. So long as it is 35% - 50% alcohol (or 70-100 proof), you should be just fine. :)