https://barsandbartending.com
  • Bartenders
    • Bartending Guide
    • Bartending How To
    • Bartender Resumes
    • Bartender Interview Questions and Answers, Attire, Tips and More
    • Barbacks
    • Mobile Bartending
    • Bartending Salaries
    • Mixology
  • Bar Owners
    • How To Run A Bar
    • Bar Promotions
    • Bar Events
    • Bar Trivia Night
    • Bar Games
    • Bar Marketing
  • Bar Stars
    • Drinking Games
    • Bar Etiquette
    • Beer Pong
    • Movie Drinking Games
    • History of Alcohol
  • Bar Humor
    • Funny Bar Jokes
    • One-Liner Walks Into A Bar
    • Walks Into A Bar Jokes Long
    • More Walks Into a Bar Jokes
    • Music Drinking Games and Songs
  • Drinks
    • Drink Recipes
    • Mixed Drinks | Well Drinks
    • Popular Cocktail Recipes
  • Videos
  • Store
    • Swag & Apparel
    • Tools and Supplies
    • Online Bar Store | Barstore
    • Modern Bar Stools
    • Portable Bars for All Occasions
    • Bar Jigger – THIS is a Jigger
    • Bar Glassware Uses and Descriptions
    • Bar Products
    • Bartender Beer Bottle Openers
    • Beer Towers
    • Wine Corkscrews
  • Bartenders
    • Bartending Guide
    • Bartending How To
    • Bartender Resumes
    • Bartender Interview Questions and Answers, Attire, Tips and More
    • Barbacks
    • Mobile Bartending
    • Bartending Salaries
    • Mixology
  • Bar Owners
    • How To Run A Bar
    • Bar Promotions
    • Bar Events
    • Bar Trivia Night
    • Bar Games
    • Bar Marketing
  • Bar Stars
    • Drinking Games
    • Bar Etiquette
    • Beer Pong
    • Movie Drinking Games
    • History of Alcohol
  • Bar Humor
    • Funny Bar Jokes
    • One-Liner Walks Into A Bar
    • Walks Into A Bar Jokes Long
    • More Walks Into a Bar Jokes
    • Music Drinking Games and Songs
  • Drinks
    • Drink Recipes
    • Mixed Drinks | Well Drinks
    • Popular Cocktail Recipes
  • Videos
  • Store
    • Swag & Apparel
    • Tools and Supplies
    • Online Bar Store | Barstore
    • Modern Bar Stools
    • Portable Bars for All Occasions
    • Bar Jigger – THIS is a Jigger
    • Bar Glassware Uses and Descriptions
    • Bar Products
    • Bartender Beer Bottle Openers
    • Beer Towers
    • Wine Corkscrews
  • Bartenders
    • Bartending Guide
    • Bartending How To
    • Bartender Resumes
    • Bartender Interview Questions and Answers, Attire, Tips and More
    • Barbacks
    • Mobile Bartending
    • Bartending Salaries
    • Mixology
  • Bar Owners
    • How To Run A Bar
    • Bar Promotions
    • Bar Events
    • Bar Trivia Night
    • Bar Games
    • Bar Marketing
  • Bar Stars
    • Drinking Games
    • Bar Etiquette
    • Beer Pong
    • Movie Drinking Games
    • History of Alcohol
  • Bar Humor
    • Funny Bar Jokes
    • One-Liner Walks Into A Bar
    • Walks Into A Bar Jokes Long
    • More Walks Into a Bar Jokes
    • Music Drinking Games and Songs
  • Drinks
    • Drink Recipes
    • Mixed Drinks | Well Drinks
    • Popular Cocktail Recipes
  • Videos
  • Store
    • Swag & Apparel
    • Tools and Supplies
    • Online Bar Store | Barstore
    • Modern Bar Stools
    • Portable Bars for All Occasions
    • Bar Jigger – THIS is a Jigger
    • Bar Glassware Uses and Descriptions
    • Bar Products
    • Bartender Beer Bottle Openers
    • Beer Towers
    • Wine Corkscrews
  • Home
  • History of Alcohol
  • Rum

Rum

by the Barman
Categories:
  • History of Alcohol
history of rum

Origins and History of Rum

In the history of rum, the rum industry flourished during the settlement and growth of the West Indies in the 17th century. As sugar cane was the main crop of the West Indies and Caribbean Islands, it was plantation slaves that discovered rum – by turning sugar cane into molasses and letting it ferment. Ironically, after the slave owners got their hands on it, money earned from selling it was then used as a way of purchasing more slaves. The history of rum is turning out to be pretty interesting indeed.

There are two main categories of rum found in all bars – light and dark; although it has much more to offer than just the basics.

Captain Morgan_Spiced_Rum-history-of-rum

Light Rum – Also known as “silver rum”, these are younger – typically aged from 6 months to a year (sometimes longer) – and have a more subtle flavour.

Gold Rum – Also known as “amber rum”, it gets its colour from being aged in wooden barrels. It’s more flavourful than light rum and is often classified as medium-bodied.

Spiced Rum – Flavoured with spices (and sometimes caramel) which determines the colour.

Dark Rum – Also known as “red rum”, it’s aged longer in charred barrels and caramel or molasses is added after the aging process.

Flavoured Rum – More recently, rum has been flavoured with fruits for use in cocktails and to drink neat (without ice). Often less than 40% and flavoured with bananas, oranges, mango, coconut, lime, etc…

Overproof Rum – Rum produced at a much higher alcoholic volume than 40% – often 80%.

Premium Rum – Has carefully produced flavours – using a variety of additives and is aged well. It is intended to be served neat.

Throughout the history of rum, no one is really sure of the origin of the word “rum” but some people theorize that it came from an old English saying, “havin’ a rum time”. Others think its from the latin word for sugar, which is saccharum, where the suffix is ‘rum’. And still other people believe it came from Romania – where the word rum means “strong” or “potent”, which are characteristics usually associated with rum in its early stages.

Rum often has an association with pirates (beyond the fact that there’s a certain Captain Morgan dressed all pirate-y on every bottle). The link goes back to the early seafarer days, when England had settlements and plantations in the West Indies. Because of the availability of sugarcane there, the King changed his Navy’s daily rations from French brandy to rum.

Some of the members of the English Navy – later turned pirate and buccaneer – still held a fondness for rum. Today, the English Navy may still ration rum to its sailors, but only on special occasions.

Other Popular Posts:

  • Gin
    Gin
  • Long Island Iced Tea Recipe
    Long Island Iced Tea Recipe
  • Home Brew Problems and How to Avoid Them
    Home Brew Problems and How to Avoid Them
  • History of Vodka
    History of Vodka
  • Beer Marinade for Steak
    Beer Marinade for Steak
  • Home Brew Grains
    Home Brew Grains

the Barman

Reese Richards aka "the Barman" is a 20+ year veteran of the bar industry and founder of BarsandBartending.com. His goal is to bring the joy of bartending to as many people around the world as possible by producing high quality content in the form of articles, interviews, infographics, recipes, videos and training courses.

Categories

Recent Posts

  • Beer Cocktails Recipes
  • How To Make Healthy Cocktails
  • Bar Inventory Management
  • Do You Need A License To Bartend?
  • Bar Marketing Overview
free bartending cheat sheet

Popular

Bar Etiquette Bar Events Bar Humor Bar Marketing Bar Owners Bar Ownership Bar Products Bar Promotions Bar Resumes Bar Stars Bar Store Bartenders Bartenders Guide Bartender Tricks Bartending Events Bartending How To Bar Tricks Become a Bartender Cheat Sheets Cocktails Drinking Games Drink Recipes Events Festivals History of Alcohol Holidays Homebrewing Infographics Jello Shots Martinis Recipes Shooters Uncategorized Videos
pub quiz trivia night questions and answers
bartending supplies store

Done-For-You Pub Trivia Nights

pub quiz trivia night questions and answers

Find us on Facebook

World’s Most Popular Cocktails

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Swag & Apparel
  • History of
  • Contact Us

BARS AND BARTENDING | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | © 2021