The history of rum

Sylvia Simm | 02. August 2024

When you hear rum, you probably think of the Caribbean - the sea and pirates.

The origins of rum are closely linked to sugar cane cultivation!

In the 17th century, the European colonial powers brought sugar cane from Asia to the Caribbean and sugar cane plantations were established. At first, only sugar - a very popular, valuable and expensive commodity - was produced, but soon alcohol was distilled. Workers on the plantations discovered that the by-product of sugar production, molasses, could be fermented and distilled to produce a strong alcoholic drink. "Tafia" was the name of the raw, unfiltered precursor and both the quality and flavour were still a far cry from today's rum.

Table of content

Rum culture

Rum is more than just a drink! It is part of the culture and tradition of many countries. Festivals and celebrations dedicated to rum take place in different parts of the world. At these events, visitors can sample different varieties, take part in tastings and learn more about the history of rum. It is an opportunity to celebrate the love for this drink and enjoy the company.

How rum was born

The distillation technique was refined by the plantation owners and rum quickly became popular. In addition to the sugar trade, the rum trade brought the landowners huge profits. But sailors and pirates were also interested in the new spirit. For the European powers, especially England, France and Spain, rum played a central role in the triangular trade, in which slaves, sugar and rum were traded between Africa, the Caribbean and Europe.

Barbados is often cited as the country of origin of rum, but this cannot be proven with certainty. Brazil is also under discussion. Sugar cane plantations were established in the Caribbean, as in the entire South American region along the coasts.

The first documented mention of rum is in 1650 as 'Rumbustion', which means 'great tumult'. Today, in addition to the term rum, the English term 'Ron' and the French 'Rhum' also exist

From brandy to a popular spirit

Sugar cane production produces large quantities of molasses as a by-product. The slaves on the plantations were the first to realise that this could be fermented and drunk as sugar cane brandy. The plantation owners further developed the production process and the molasses spirit eventually became rum, although not yet with the flavour we know today, and rum quickly became a popular drink in the Caribbean. However, it was not until the 18th century that it found its way to Europe.

Also in the 18th century, rum was so popular that it became America's national drink. Records speak of an annual consumption of around 14 litres per person. Prohibition temporarily curbed rum consumption. In the 1960s, the tiki culture, in which everything to do with the Caribbean became popular, fascinated and drove rum consumption up again.

Interesting relationship

For every 2 kilos of sugar obtained, 1 kilo of molasses can be used for rum production.

Seafaring and rum

"And I stayed alive, I tell you, and that's what the rum did"

Quote from the novel Treasure Island by Robert L. Stevenson

The English navy contributed significantly to the success of rum. After realising that beer or wine carried on board ships would not keep for long in the high temperatures of the Caribbean, they began to carry rum. And this is how the pirates came into play in rum history, who were attracted by rum. Since then, many tales have grown up around pirates and rum.

The morale of the Royal Navy troops was boosted by the daily distribution of a rum ration to the sailors!

The daily ration was half a litre per man! Rum was first issued to British sailors as part of their pay in 1655, and from 1731 the British Royal Navy officially introduced this ration - known as Navy Rum! Initially, rum was served neat with an alcohol content of up to 75%, but was later diluted with water. We still know the rum grog today.

Until 1970, the British Royal Navy issued a daily rum ration to the crew. If you want to try rum as it was served until 1970, you should try Pusser's Rum. Charles Tobias bought the recipe from the British Navy and sold it under this name ever since.

31 July 1970, the last day on which rum was served as an official part of the rations, is "Black Tot Day".

This meant that a cherished tradition was finally over and dead. Whereby the English word 'tot' stands for the daily rum ration!

During the shipment in barrels, which took weeks, the barrels were unintentionally re-stored. We were delighted to discover that the rum from the barrel had taken on different flavours.

 

A special form of Navy rum

Navy Strength Rum is a separate form of Navy Rum. It has an alcohol content of around 57% by volume (ABV) and is particularly strong. The term "Navy Strength" comes from the time when rum had to be so strong that it could still be distilled. To prove that the rum was not watered down, it was poured onto gunpowder and set alight. If it had over 57 per cent alcohol - or 100 proof - the gunpowder burned and you had proof of a Navy Strength rum.

This high alcohol content makes for a more intense and stronger flavour, reminiscent of the Royal Navy tradition.

The modern rum

80% of the world's rum production comes from the Caribbean. The remaining 20% is spread across the southern hemisphere. Rum is also imported to European countries, where it is further matured and stored.

Today, rum is available in many different varieties, from light white rum to heavy, mature rum.

The many elaborately and colourfully designed bottles, which catch the eye alongside other spirits, are beautiful to look at.

Conclusion

Rum is not just a drink, but also a cultural heritage that reflects the history of colonisation and the sugar cane trade.

Our rum range

Don Papa Masskara Rum Spirit
Don Papa Masskara Rum Spirit
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Barceló Imperial Onyx Rum (B-Ware)
Barceló Imperial Onyx Rum (B-Ware)
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Austrian Empire Navy Rum Anniversary
Austrian Empire Navy Rum Anniversary
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Malteco Reserva Genuina Rum 6 Years
Malteco Reserva Genuina Rum 6 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Rhum J.M VSOP
Rhum J.M VSOP
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Sol Tarasco Charanda Mexican Ron 10 Years
Sol Tarasco Charanda Mexican Ron 10 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Ron Zacapa La Pasión Rum - Heavenly Cask Collection /2023
Ron Zacapa La Pasión Rum - Heavenly Cask Collection /2023
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Matusalem Gran Reserva 15 Rum incl. glass
Matusalem Gran Reserva 15 Rum incl. glass
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Ron Zacapa 23 Solera Rum - wooden box with 3 coasters
Ron Zacapa 23 Solera Rum - wooden box with 3 coasters
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Barbancourt Five Star Rhum 8 Years
Barbancourt Five Star Rhum 8 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
MacNairs Exploration Panama Rum - Peated 7 Years
MacNairs Exploration Panama Rum - Peated 7 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
A.H. Riise Non Plus Ultra Very Rare Rum Spirit
A.H. Riise Non Plus Ultra Very Rare Rum Spirit
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Plantation Rum Guatemala - Bélize Gran Anejo
Plantation Rum Guatemala - Bélize Gran Anejo
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Don Papa Gayuma Rum
Don Papa Gayuma Rum
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Mezan Chiriqui Rum
Mezan Chiriqui Rum
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Plantation Rum Grande Reserva
Plantation Rum Grande Reserva
1/ l · incl.  VAT
Planteray PX XO 20th Anniversary Rum
Planteray PX XO 20th Anniversary Rum
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Black Tot Finest Caribbean Rum
Black Tot Finest Caribbean Rum
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Clément Vieux VSOP Rhum
Clément Vieux VSOP Rhum
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Papa Rouyo Sanblaj - Élevé-Sous-Bois Rhum 2021/2022
Papa Rouyo Sanblaj - Élevé-Sous-Bois Rhum 2021/2022
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Did you like the article? Then please give us a thumbs up!

This record has been liked 10 times.

Sylvia Simm is an experienced employee of Whisky.de. After more than 20 years in online sales and service, she supports the company with her extensive whisky knowledge in marketing. As online editor and content manager, she is responsible for editing and updating the texts on the knowledge pages.

more

To comment, you must be logged in

Comments (0)