Rum

Rum is a liquor distilled from sugar. The sugar may be either pure cane sugar, a syrup, or molasses. No matter the base, the underlying flavor profile of rum is a sweet, toasted sugar.

Facts:

• Ingredients: sugar cane molasses or sugar cane juice

• Proof: 80 – 150

• ABV: 40 – 80%

• Calories in a shot: 97

• Origin: The Caribbean

• Taste: Sweet, toasted sugar

• Aged: 3 – 10 years

• Serve: Shots, straight – up, on the rocks, cocktails

Rum is one of the oldest distilled spirits and it has one of the most colorful histories of any alcoholic beverage. By the mid-1700s, rum was being made throughout the Caribbean and South America. It soon became popular in New England and was produced there as well. Today, rum is produced throughout the world.

The use of sugar cane distinguishes rum from all other liquors. Many of the early Caribbean rums were produced with molasses and "skimmings" from the production of sugar.  The skimmings were obtained from the boiling of the sugar cane and were mixed with molasses and "dunder" (leftover sediment in the still). The molasses-cane juice mixture is then fermented and distilled. Pot stills are used in many of the traditional rums, though most now use continuous column stills.

Many rums are then aged in wood casks. The type of wood used is often the determining factor in the color of rum produced in the end. It is important to note that climate plays a significant role in how long any distilled spirit is aged for and rum is no exception. The rums produced in tropical climates will generally be aged for a shorter period of time than those in cooler climates. That is why you may see a dark Caribbean rum aged for just three to five years while a North American rum of similar color and oaky flavor may be aged for around 10 years.

Many rum distillers will also use old bourbon barrels for aging because they cannot be reused in that whiskey's production. This can add some underlying whiskey-like flavors to the rum, something you'll also find in many tequilas.

The majority of rum is bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof). There are some exceptions, including over proof rums which can reach 160 proof. The higher alcohol content makes these a popular choice for lighting drinks on fire.