Explore Caribbean Island Rum
As an original product of the Caribbean, and part of an enjoyable vacation in the islands, rum deserves a special place on the pages of Active Caribbean Travel. C’mon, admit it – When you picture the Caribbean, you automatically think of a tasty Caribbean rum beverage!
How did it all start?
First created by plantation slaves in the mid 17th century from molasses, the unwanted byproduct of the sugar refining process, rum has come a long way from its humble beginnings… Originally called “kill-devil” or “rumbullion”, the harsh liquor was a staple drink of pirates, who made “Bumbo” by adding water, sugar, nutmeg and/or cinnamon. Of course the British Navy gave a daily rum ration or ‘tot’ to its sailors – Eventually the Navy watered down the rum and sometimes added lime… making “grog”. The Royal Naval tradition lasted for over 300 years before coming to an end in 1970. Rum is now considered a top-shelf liquor, with premium versions often being compared to much more expensive Scotch whiskies.
Is there a difference between all those rums?
While most Caribbean rum is still made from fermented molasses (and sugar cane juice froth), a number of French islands produce ‘rhum agricole’ (agricultural rum), directly from sugarcane juice. Spanish-speaking islands call their spirit ‘ron’, while Brazil produces their own version called ‘Cachaça’. Rum is typically distilled in clay or copper pot stills and/or column (continuous) stills then aged in oak barrels, usually producing an alcohol content of 40% (80 proof). The type of molasses (light, dark or black-strap), and barrel (whisky and/or liquor/liqueur) used, as well as any additives (spices / flavourings), will significantly influence the end product’s colour and flavour.
Caribbean Rum can be roughly categorized into the following “classes”:
- White Rum is usually aged for the least amount of time
- Gold Rum / Amber Rum is aged for several months or a couple of years in oak whisky barrels (sometimes charred)
- Spiced Rum is usually made from white or amber rum, by adding local island spices for flavour
- Flavoured Rum is usually made from white or amber rum, by adding fruit juice for flavour. As a result, these rums typically have the lowest alcohol content – Usually around 35% alcohol (70 proof)
- Over-proof Rum is typically white or amber rum, distilled to a higher alcohol content, as much as twice as strong at 80% (160 proof)
- Aged Rum is matured for several years in oak whisky barrels (typically charred)
- Dark Rum / Navy Rum uses dark or black-strap molasses and is typically aged for several months or years in charred barrels
- Premium Rum / Top-shelf Rum / Sipping Rum is typically aged for 12 years or more. Some fine Caribbean rum is aged in whisky barrels (sometimes charred), some in brandy/sherry/cognac/port/liqueur casks, others in a combination of barrels.
- Rum based liqueurs are also produced on a number of islands
- Rum Cake and Black (Christmas) Cake is also widely available throughout the Caribbean
Its true – Caribbean Rum might even be good for you
Besides being tasty and a basic ingredient in a number of wonderful Caribbean cocktails, some say that rum even has medicinal value – In addition to it’s warming and calming qualities, the antimicrobial properties of rum can help prevent a common cold. A few rums from the windward islands, such as Dominica and St. Lucia are spiced with wood of the Bois Bande (Richeria Grandis) tree, known as a natural aphrodisiac.
What island has the best rum?
While Puerto Rico produces more rum than any other island in the Caribbean, their spirits are rivaled in popularity by Barbados, Jamaica and Guyana rums as well as Rhum from Martinique and Guadeloupe. Of course, most of the other islands will claim that their Caribbean rum is the finest. It’s probably best that you try rums from all the islands yourself, and come up with your own list of favourites 🙂
Looking for recommendations?
Check out our Jamaica Rum page…
Check out our Barbados Rum page…
Check out our Martinique Rhum page…
Check out our Saint Lucia Rum page…
Check out our Grenada Rum page…
Check out our St. Kitts & Nevis Rum page…
Check out our Antigua Rum page…
Check out our Cayman Islands Rum page…
Check out our Dominica Rum page…
and Enjoy!
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