What type of spirit is Clean R ?
Clean R is a non alcoholic rum.
Rum is an alcoholic drink made by fermenting then distilling sugarcane molasses or sugarcane juice.
It is synonymous with the Caribbean and the spirit of choice over there. It has a toasted sugar, caramel, oak and spice taste and is used in many rum based cocktails.
How is Clean R made?
Clean Co don’t tell us the exact method but there isn’t really that many options. Ive written an article about how non alcoholic gins are made here, the process is basically the same.
They basically make a rum and then distill it again to remove the alcohol but keeping in the botanicals and aromatic compounds.
Clean R Ingredients
Often with non alcoholic spirits the list of ingredients bares no resemblance with the actual finished product.
Clean R includes…
- Water
- Vegetable glycerine
- Natural flavouring
- Acid
Same again here then. Would you read that and think “non alcoholic rum”? I doubt it.
They make a rum then these are added to it as it is distilled to remove the alcohol.
Clean R Nutrition
Like any non alcoholic spirit, there will be huge calorie savings over an alcoholic spirit as alcohol is so calorie dense. Rums especially are higher in sugar as that is what the drink and taste is based off.
The Clean R nutrition per 100ml is as follows…
| | Values per 100ml or 100g |
| Alcohol | 0.5% |
| Calories | 24kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 5g |
| Sugars | 0g |
I have review this with a FeverTree Ginger Ale can (150ml) so i should include its nutrition as well.
| | Values per 100ml or 100g |
| Alcohol | 0.0% |
| Calories | 19kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 4.7g |
| Sugars | 4.7g |
Now for the combined drink. I have gone for the recommended pour of 50ml of Clean Co Clean R over ice with a full can of FeverTree Ginger Ale. This gives you the following nutritional profile.
| | Values per 100ml | Values per 200ml serving |
| Alcohol | 0.125% | 0.125% |
| Calories | 20.25kcal | 40.5kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 4.78g | 9.55g |
| Sugars | 3.53g | 7.05g |
Clean R Look
As you can see from the bottle I have drank most if it before I have got round to reviewing it, that is probably a good sign.
The bottle and styling is the same across the Clean Co range and quite nice.
The rum itself is certainly the colour of a golden rum and when mixed with the ginger is as you would expect a rum and ginger to be
Clean R Aroma
I found the Clean Co Clean G to have a fairly neutral smell but not so here. The smell is quite intoxicating.
There is deep caramel and sugar smells, a hint of spice and a decent attempt at a full alcoholic rum
Clean R Taste
If you had this blindfolded and were asked which spirit it was there would be no doubt it is a rum.
I a nice warming caramel and spice blend of a golden rum which as we know, works perfectly with a ginger ale.
It certainly has more flavour about it than their Clean G offering. It is more pure rum like than say Canelo Dark and Spicy which I think I prefer.
With any spirit you lack that big hit at the back of the throat which 40% ABV brings but often that is a good thing.
I would say this isn’t quite as full bodied and full of flavour as some of the better alcohol free gins like Gordon’s and Tanqueray, but maybe making a rum is harder
Clean R Verdict
All in all a pleasing offering from Clean Co. I loved a rum and ginger or dark and stormy so this is a reasonable non alcoholic equivalent but I suspect there are better rums out there which I will aim to find.
Clean R Score
7.5/10 – Perhaps a harsh score and comparing it to the top gins might not be appropriate. It is a little one dimensional but then again, I did finish the bottle so read into that what you may!
Where to buy Clean R ?
Clean R is available in all the big UK supermarkets.
You can try these at Wise Bartender as well, a brilliant non alcoholic retailer
For UK readers, Light Drinks has this and others, if you use code OPENINGTHEBOTTLE you get an additional 5% off
*Affiliate Disclosure – if you click on the links and buy from these providers, i might receive a small commission*
Is Clean R gluten free?
Yes, Clean R is gluten free.
Is Clean R vegan?
Yes, Clean R is vegan friendly
For more on vegan drinks see my article on the matter. Why beers, for example, may or may not be and how to check.
| Score |
|
|
SUMMARY
Better than their Clean G but still lacking something. |
3.8
|
