Rum

When you think of rum, chances are you think of Caribbean beaches and beach drinks with little umbrellas. But did you know that rum is a centuries-old alcoholic drink made from fermented sugarcane or molasses? From the time it’s made in the distillery to its pouring into your glass, rum goes through an extensive process before it reaches you. In this blog post, we take a detailed look at the journey of rum, how it’s created, and how it goes from the barrel to your dinner plate.

How Is Rum Made?

Rum is an alcoholic spirit distilled from sugarcane or molasses. To create rum, the sugarcane or molasses is boiled then fermented, typically with the addition of yeast, water, and sometimes other aroma- enhancing ingredients like fruits. The egg whites and blackstrap molasses are sometimes added for flavor. After the mixture is fermented, it’s double or triple-distilled then aged in casks made of oak, chestnut, pine, or other woods. This aging process can range from one month to several years, resulting in different levels of color, aroma, and flavor.

Depending on the country, rum can be made from anywhere between 1% to 75% sugarcane juice. The rest of the mixture is typically made up of water, molasses, and other ingredients. In the United States, rum must consist of at least 40% of the base ingredient, and according to the standards set by the European Union, rum must be at least 37.5% of the base ingredient.

After fermentation and distillation, the blend is put into oak barrels for aging. These usually used Bourbon whiskey barrels and sometimes French Cognac or Spanish Sherry barrels. Aging helps bring out the rich flavors and aromas that define the spirit. The length of time the barrels are aged varies. For instance, for white rum, aging is usually very short, about a few months, and for dark rums, aging usually ranges from one to four years.

Types of Rum

Light Rum: Made from high-proof spirits that have been distilled until it has minimal flavors of any kind and is then carbon filtered to lighten the color and remove any taste. Light rum is what's mainly used in cocktails like a Cuba Libre (rum and Coke) or a Daiquiri.

Dark Rum: Dark rums, sometimes called heavy rums, get their coloring from the aging and blending process. Aged in charred oak barrels, dark rum is strong and molasses-like in flavor with a hint of vanilla and toffee.

Spiced Rum: This type of rum is a mix of multiple rums mixed with spices and other flavorings, including selected caramel colorings often added to enhance the sweet, dry, or smoky flavors.

Flavored Rum: Flavorings such as coconut, tropical fruit, or even coffee are some of the common ingredients added to create flavored rums.

Traveling from Barrel to Bottle

Once the rum has been aged, it’s usually ready for bottling. Before bottling, a distillation process takes place to filter out any sediments left from the aging process. If the rum is labeled “rum,” the added ingredients typically don’t exceed 2%. Distillers may also use a technique of filtering the rum through a carbon filter to reduce the color, flavor, or aroma of the spirit.

After the filtering process, rum can be bottled at a variety of proof levels, ranging from 40-75 proof. Although rum can be bottled at different proof levels, it should be noted that the highest proof level may result in less flavor and aroma. Furthermore, many countries mandate that the minimum proof level that rum can be bottled at is 40%.

As the rum is ready for bottling, a team of experts samples and approves the spirit before it’s ready for public consumption. After approval, the bottles are sealed and labeled with the country of origin, the year it was made, and other relevant information. Finally, the rum is ready for transport to regional distribution centers and eventually, to stores and restaurants for sale.

From Bottle to Plate

After bottling, the rum is ready to be shipped to bars, restaurants, and liquor stores. When customers appreciate the rum, they will take bottles home for personal consumption. However, many people enjoy drinking rum as a signature cocktail in a bar or restaurant. Bartenders and mixologists shake, stir, and pour the rum into a satisfyingly crafted concoction that might include other spirits, liqueurs and sodas, juices, and even eggs.

If you’re looking to drink rum at home, there’s a variety of different cocktails to explore. Aside from classic drinks like a Cuba Libre or Daiquiri, you can also make unique creations like a rum Old-Fashioned, rum Negroni, or a Bailey’s Irish Cream and rum Flip.

People also bake with rum, making wonderful desserts like rum cake and rum-flavored ice cream. Rum can also be used in savory dishes like rum glazed ham, rum roasted pork, rum-infused barbecue sauce, and traditional Caribbean dishes like Jamaican jerk pork or Cuban Ropa Vieja.

In Conclusion

Whether you enjoy sipping on a Daiquiri or mixing a crafty cocktail, knowing the process rum goes through to make it to your dinner plate is a fascinating journey. From the field all around the world, to the distillery, to your cocktail glass, rum goes through an extensive process to produce the unique colors and flavors you love.

Through the ancient knowledge and modern methods of distillation of sugarcane, rum has established itself as one of the most popular spirits, inspiring great mixologists, chefs, and home chefs to continuously come up with new ways to enjoy the spirit. For any self-proclaimed rum enthusiast, sit back, relax, and simply enjoy the ride of rum from barrel to dinner plate.