What is the primary aging characteristic of rum distilled in column stills?

Rum distilled in column stills typically has a lighter flavor intensity compared to other distillation methods, such as pot still distillation. Column stills are designed for continuous distillation and often result in a higher alcohol purity, producing a cleaner and more neutral spirit. This process allows for the preservation of the delicate flavors that are associated with lighter rums, leading to a more straightforward, less intense profile.

In contrast, methods that introduce heavier flavors through extended aging with spices or oak will create rums with more complex characteristics, which are not the hallmark of column-distilled rums. Therefore, the primary aging characteristic is indeed the light flavor intensity, a result of both the distillation method and the potential aging processes that do not heavily influence these lighter styles.