Borgoe
The Surinamese rum that is most often served with Surinamese cuisine in the Netherlands. Everything about the alcohol percentage, taste, cocktails, and the glass it should be served in.
Rum from Paramaribo, made from Surinamese sugar cane
Borgoe is made by Suriname Alcoholic Beverages in Paramaribo, a company founded in 1966 that builds on a much older Surinamese rum tradition: sugar cane was already being grown and distilled along the Suriname River in the eighteenth century. The rum is made from molasses from locally grown sugar cane.
Borgoe Gold is the house's golden rum, bottled at 38%. It is full-bodied and bold in character, with subtle notes of wood and caramel, and is intended as an all-rounder: on the rocks, with cola, or as a base for cocktails. In the Netherlands, Borgoe is best known within the Surinamese community, where the bottle is as naturally at home on the table as genever at a Dutch gathering.
In brief
Borgoe Gold and similar rums
Borgoe Gold is featured here. These other rums are in a similar style and price range, for those who want to compare.
Borgoe Gold
The house's golden rum: full-bodied and neat, with subtle notes of wood and caramel. Just as good on the rocks as in a cocktail.
Ron Abuelo 7 Años
Seven-year-old rum from Panama, smoother and sweeter than Borgoe, with vanilla and dried fruit. A logical step up.
El Dorado 12 Years
From neighboring Guyana, where sugar cane is grown on the same coastal plain. Aged for twelve years, full-bodied and rich, with toffee and spices.
MacNair's 7 Years Panama
Bottled at 46%, making it considerably more direct. More body and more wood; a rum for those who enjoy drinking it neat.
Borgoe Gold is the all-rounder; El Dorado 12 if you want something to drink neat.
Wood, caramel and sugarcane
Caramel & sugarcane
Caramel and molasses up front, with a woody note behind it. Instantly recognizable as rum, without the sweet heaviness of a flavored bottle.
Robust and dry
More robust and drier than many golden rums, with caramel, wood and a lightly peppery edge. At 38%, it is not watery anywhere.
Short and warm
A short, warm finish with wood and sugarcane. Just enough to make you want to add cola or ice.
Borgoe Gold's flavor profile. Ron Abuelo 7 is softer and sweeter, El Dorado 12 fuller and richer, and MacNair's at 46% considerably more powerful.
Three ways to drink Borgoe
Borgoe Gold is not made for sipping for hours: it is a mixing rum, and that is a compliment.
On the rocks
5 cl over two or three ice cubes in a heavy tumbler. The ice takes the edge off and brings out the caramel and wood. Optionally with a slice of lime.
Glass: tumbler →With cola and lime
5 cl Borgoe with 150 ml cola over plenty of ice in a highball glass, with a lime wedge that you squeeze into it first. The lime is not a garnish: it takes the edge off the cola's sweetness.
Cuba Libre recipe →In a rum punch
Rum, fruit juice, lime and a splash of grenadine in a pitcher with plenty of ice. At a Surinamese celebration, the punch goes around just as much as the bottle itself, and Borgoe is the obvious base for it.
Rum Punch recipe →The best cocktails with Borgoe
Cuba Libre
Rum with cola and fresh lime. Simple, but fresh lime makes it a completely different drink.
Rum Punch
Rum, fruit juice, lime and grenadine. Easy to make for a large group.
Mojito
Rum, lime, mint, sugar and sparkling water. Fuller with golden rum than with white rum.
Dark 'n Stormy
Rum with ginger beer and lime. The ginger cuts right through the caramel.The right glass for Borgoe
A heavy tumbler for on the rocks and a sturdy long drink glass for rum and cola and punch. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything you still wanted to know about Borgoe
Can't find your question here? Check out our cocktail recipes or contact us.
To the cocktail recipes →