Join the Rum REVLution!

Here at REVL, we love all kinds of beverages, but with Rum Day fast approaching, we thought we’d give you a run down of some of our favourite Cocktails using this Spectacular Sugarcane Spirit. We thought it best to give you a rundown of how Rum became… well Rum, as well as some interesting Rum “Facts” we bet you’ve never heard.

Before you learn what to do with it… What actually is it?

Molasses is the by-product of the sugar refinement process, and it was plentiful for the first time in history on Caribbean plantations. Sometime in the 1600’s, it was found that molasses could be fermented and distilled, a discovery that changed the institution of the plantation. The first sugarcane spirits were consumed by slaves, servants, and some “less than savoury” characters that roamed the Caribbean waters… You know those one-eyed, parrot fans with wooden legs… After the development of rum in the Caribbean, the drink's popularity spread to North America, during the European Colonization. Although Rum began production in the US, particularly the Rhode Island Area, many areas of the world to this day consider the Caribbean to be the distiller of the best rums in the world.

It is no small wonder that spiced rum was created from the exotic ingredients grown in Central America and made first on plantations. Sugarcane Spirits at this time were known as Rumbullion, but eventually it was shortened down. Rum cocktails are very popular, and always have been. In fact, some people believe the world’s first cocktail, started the trend of cocktails with white rum – Originally, the “El Draque” was a mixture of un-aged (extremely rough) rum, that would’ve likely been the only available option at this point in time. It was mixed in with Mint, Lime, and Sugar, due to the harsher taste of Rumbullion at this time. Eventually, a bartender in Cuba changed this to a much smoother white rum and huzzah, the mojito was born!

Today, spiced rum is a term used to describe sugarcane-based distillates that have been flavoured with the addition of fruits and spices… WHAT WE MEAN IS Rum is fascinating, fruity, and full of history. Oh, and if you couldn’t tell, it’s one of our favourite days of the year! As well as this, many flavoured rums can now be found, ranging from coffee to weird and wonderful fruity variants. Dead Man’s Fingers rum has one of the widest varieties of flavoured rum, from Coconut Rum and Coffee Rum to Pineapple or even Passionfruit. Alternatively, if you’re after a classic choice in the rum community, Captain Morgan Spiced rum is a fantastic option, suitable for any of your favorite rum cocktails, especially the “Spiced Runner.”

Reggae Revelations

Did you know:

1. During the late 18th Century, Rum was so valuable it was used as a currency; As the British colony travelled around but money was scarce, many sailors used their rum rations and the rum they received as part of their benefits for being sailors to trade around the world.
2. There are technically 5 “Types” of Rum; White Rum, Gold Rum, Dark Rum, Spiced Rum, and Overproof Rum (High ABV, usually between 60-80%)
3. The world’s longest aged rum was distilled during World War II, in 1941. When it was eventually distilled in 1999, Long Pond Jamaican Rum was 58 years old.
4. The Largest Rum distillery in the world today is the Bacardi Distillery (fig. 1) in Puerto Rico, built over 24 Buildings/Structures and on 137 Acres of Land.
5. The world’s strongest rum is Suriname’s Mariënburg rum (fig. 2), bottled at 90% ABV. Its closest rival is a product of Saint Vincent, Sunset Very Strong Rum, bottled at 84.5%.