National Rum Month: Fun Rum Facts You May Not Know

To mark this National Rum Day, what’s better than to cover the history of this exciting beverage, including its commercial distillation in Brazil and Barbados? If you want to learn more about the origin of rum, read on! We’ll also explore the different types of rum and their distinct flavors.

Here are some fun rum facts that you may not know! Hopefully, this information will help you understand the history of this popular beverage! So, start sipping and enjoy!

Origin of Rum

The history of rum dates back thousands of years. Its precursors were created by ancient Chinese and Indian cultures. The ancients used sugarcane to make fermented drinks that they later used to develop Brum. Rum’s precursor, Brum, was passed down from generation to generation. The drink was a popular social drink in the Malay and Indian subcontinents.

Despite its long history, rum still has some fascinating roots. Its popularity continued throughout the 19th century, thanks to the American Revolution. George Washington even insisted on a barrel of Barbados rum at his 1789 inauguration. However, with the development of American whiskey and the enactment of the ‘Wild West’ laws, rum’s popularity declined in North America. However, it has remained a popular drink in many parts of the world.

History of Rum

While the origin of rum is complex, there is one common thread throughout the various records of the beverage. Rum’s first appearance in the Caribbean was during the 1600s when English settlers brought the process of sugarcane cultivation and distillation to Barbados. It is believed that the English were the first to discover rum and used it as a form of exchange with the colonists of the American colonies.

The term ‘rum’ is still a part of the British language in Barbados. Before the nineteenth century, rum was often referred to as ‘Barbadian water’ and ‘Barbadian liquor.’ Today, however, it is referred to by its English name, RUM, which indicates that it is a product of the island.

Types of Rum

Rums come in all different types, from dark, fruity rums to light and spiced varieties. They are all made by distillers with varying levels of alcohol content, but in general, they fall into three classes. The boldest kind of rum you can find will be black rum. Lighter-colored rums are mainly used for white rum cocktails as they are lighter in flavor. Golden and Darker rums are meant to be enjoyed on their own. There are also flavored and spiced rums which are great for cocktails too.

Most types of rum are blended from a variety of crops. Only vintage rums are made from a specific crop in a particular year. They are expensive and usually produced in small batches, making them rare and valuable to collectors and rum lovers. In addition, they can vary significantly in flavor due to external factors and harvest conditions. These differences are often noticeable when tasting vintage rums. You might even want to invest in a special-occasion case if you enjoy a particular style.

You can also purchase assorted rum barrels for sale from the Rocky Mountain Barrel Company and age your liquor yourself!

Commercial Distillation in Brazil

There are two main methods for making rum in Brazil: cachaca and rum. Cachaca is made from sugarcane juice, which must be distilled immediately after harvest. Sugarcane distilleries are located near sugarcane plantations, so cachaca is produced close to the plantation. Cachaca is distilled in two ways: mass-produced cachaca is distilled in column stills, while artisanal cachaca is distilled in pot stills. Some cachaca is aged in virgin woods, adding to its unique flavor. On the other hand, rum is produced from the sugarcane byproducts like molasses.

Rum is the Oldest Known Spirit

Rum in Brazil is the oldest commercially-distilled alcohol in the world. Its production dates back to the early 16th century and predates that of North America by at least 100 years. Portuguese colonists learned distillation techniques from the Arabs, and they began distilling fresh sugarcane juice in pot-alembic stills. It soon became an export commodity, traded with Europeans and Africans for enslaved people.

It was the first known spirit to be distilled and manufactured in the 1620s. Its primary purpose was for entertainment and trade among pirates. The oldest available brand of Rum is Mount Gay, which has been around since 1703. Although the most senior, Bacardi has the largest rum distillery, which is in Puerto Rico.

Apart From Fun, Rum Has Health Benefits.

The Royal Navy sailors drank rum daily as they believed it would prevent scurvy. Many would also use the spirit in the 1800s to wash their hair as it was thought to grow a thicker head of hair and prevent hair loss.

The Secrets of Aging Rum

While the average age of rum is about a year, the higher-end producers age their batches for decades. The process can be dramatically different depending on the type of container. Some types of rum are aged in stainless steel tanks, which keep the liquid clear, while others are aged in oak casks, which turn the drinking dark. And, remember: aged rums are a little more expensive than young rums!

The age of rum is vital in determining its flavor and strength of a rum. For most types of rum, the label must show the youngest age of the rum. A blend of rums that are aged in used rum barrels will contain a higher percentage of younger rum. Therefore, a twelve-year-old rum may have more than nine percent of younger rum. However, you should still read the label carefully to ensure that the rum you buy is actually aged.

Do’s and Don’ts of Drinking Rum.

Drinking rum is as popular as it is delicious. But it’s not as simple as mixing it right. There are so many different types of rum that it can get confusing. Fortunately, there are some guidelines that can help you enjoy it the right way every time. Do’s and don’ts of drinking rum include identifying its different flavors and avoiding mixing it with other drinks. To get started, start with a simple sip in clear glass. Never pour rum into a cloudy glass.

If you are looking for some used rum barrels to make your National Rum Day even more memorable, contact the Rocky Mountain barrel Company to buy our rum barrels for sale.