Rum… It’s the Booze that Makes You Lose!
From the moment Christopher Columbus brought cane sugar to the Caribbean to make rum in the late 1400s, this bold, brash and boisterous spirit has been tantalizing tastebuds and stirring spirits around the world. This is a spirit with a long and varied history, having been a mainstay in the colonies of the United States, used in tiki culture, and used to make some of the most popular cocktails across the globe. But what is rum and why should you care?
Well, in this blog post we’ll tackle just that – we’ll dive into the mysterious and often misunderstood universe of rum and take a look at its tumultuous history and taste a few of its finest examples. So read on, sip neatly, and cheers to rum!
What is Rum?
In short, rum is a distilled spirit that is typically made from sugar cane. It has a distinctive flavor, ranging from light and nutty to robust and richly flavored, depending on the type and brand of rum. This flavor is most often attributed to the type of sugar cane used in its production, as well as the type of barrels used in the aging process. In addition, the length of aging, distillation process, and other ingredients used can also dramatically vary the flavor of the rum.
As for the history, some claim Columbus discovered the possibilities of a distillable beverage when, on the island of Hispanola, he noticed islanders drinking a highly, perhaps overly, fermented beverage from a hollowed-out coconut shell. From this, the very first rum was born, although it was an incredibly primitive version of what it is today.
The History of Rum
After Columbus’s initial discovery, the process of creating rum was quickly perfected by colonial settlers. Rum quickly became the preferred beverage of the day and rum production spread like wildfire throughout the Caribbean and eastern parts of the United States.
In the 1650s, it is thought that the Boston Rum Riot broke out over taxes imposed on rum. In 1731, rum was an important factor in transforming the government and economy of Rhode Island into what would become known at the “Rum Colony”. By the early 1800s, rum was so important to the British Navy and West Indian trade that the Royal Navy drank over one gallon of rum per sailor per week.
In the United States, the demand for rum reached its peak between 1770 and 1800, when over 80 distilleries were thriving across New England alone. Throughout the 19th century, rum was the standard drink of choice for nearly everyone in the colonies, including the founding fathers of the United States.
Today, rum is a popular alcoholic beverage across the United States and around the world. It’s the preferred drink of choice in tiki bars, trendy nightclubs, and beach-side hotels, and the choices available for rum drinkers have vastly increased over the past couple of decades, with countless brands and styles available to sample.
Different Types of Rum
Rum, like many spirits, is made in different styles around the world. Rum styles are generally divided into three main categories — light, gold/dark, and spiced rum.
Light Rum: Light rum, also sometimes referred to as white or silver rum, is typically quite mild in flavor, with the lightest rums having the least amount of flavor. These rums are typically served neat, or in cocktails like the Daiquiri or Mojito.
Gold/Dark Rum: Dark or gold rums typically provide much more flavor than lighter rums. These rums can range from sweet to slightly smoky and are generally aged for longer periods of time, which provides a more robust flavor. The darker rums are typically used in cocktails such as the Mai Tai or Zombie.
Spiced Rum: Spiced rum is typically a dark rum that has been infused with flavoring agents, such as cinnamon, vanilla, or nutmeg. This type of rum is gaining in popularity and is used in a variety of cocktails.
In addition to the main types of rum, there are also a few specialized styles of rum that are used in certain regions. Rhum agricole, for example, is made from sugar cane juice that is distilled in French-speaking territories like Martinique, and is used in Ti-Punch cocktails. Mojito-style rum is also produced in Cuba to more closely recreate the traditional flavor of the historically popular Cuban drink.
Tasting Rum
When tasting rum, there are some key characteristics to keep in mind. First and foremost, you’ll want to pay attention to the color. Most rums range from light or “silver” to dark or “aged” in color, with the aging process having an effect on the color and taste of the finished product.
Next, you’ll want to pay attention to the aromas that the rum has to offer. Most rums will have notes of caramel, oak, vanilla, smoke, spices, or fruit. These aromas first hit the nose, providing a glimpse into the flavor profile of the rum.
Finally, you’ll want to try the flavor of the rum itself. Depending on the type of rum, it can taste of sweet vanilla, caramel, oak, smoke, spices, or even fruit. This can help you determine whether you like sweet rums or dry rums and you can start testing out different types to find one that fits your tastes.
The Key to Enjoying Rum
At the end of the day, the key to enjoying rum lies in experimentation and tasting. With so many different types of rum, each with its own unique flavor profile and potential for use in cocktails, it’s essential for rum drinkers to explore and experience all that the spirit has to offer.
So no matter if you’re a beginner or a top-notch rum aficionado, take the time to sip, savor, and explore a few different rums to find your signature favorite. After all, that’s what drinking is all about. Cheers!