WHAT IS RUM?

Rum is a diverse category of spirits distilled from sugarcane byproducts, encompassing a remarkable range of styles, flavors, and production methods across the Caribbean, Americas, and beyond. From light and delicate white rums to rich, aged expressions, the category offers something for every palate.

The origins of rum trace back to the 17th-century Caribbean, where sugarcane plantation workers discovered that molasses, a byproduct of sugar production, could be fermented and distilled into a potent spirit. This discovery would revolutionize both the spirits industry and global trade.

Rum production methods vary significantly by region and tradition. Some producers use molasses, while others distill from fresh sugarcane juice. Fermentation can employ cultured yeasts or wild fermentation, and distillation may use pot stills, column stills, or a combination of both.

The aging process further diversifies the category, with some rums bottled immediately after distillation as white or silver rum, while others mature for decades in oak barrels. The tropical climate accelerates aging, allowing relatively young rums to achieve complexity that might take much longer in cooler regions.

Modern rum production spans a spectrum from massive industrial operations to small artisanal distilleries, each bringing their own philosophy and techniques to this ancient craft. This diversity makes rum one of the most exciting and dynamic categories in the spirits world.