Rum

What is Rum?

Rum is a spirit made from the by-products of sugar cane (particularly molasses) or sometimes from fresh sugar cane juice or sugar cane syrup.

How is Rum made?

The molasses is first diluted with clean water so that complete fermentation would yield an alcohol fraction of 7% to 8%. This solution is then fermented. Depending on the method, this can be done in two days or take up to twelve days. Slow fermentation produces a product with more higher alcohols and esters than fast fermentation. The rum is then distilled in a so-called pot still (batch process) or a column still (continuous process). In pot stills, which produce alcohol percentages of around 65%, the more aromatic rums (high ester rum) are generally distilled, and in column stills (which typically produce up to 95% alcohol by volume) the so-called light rums. After this, the rum can mature, in stainless steel tanks (for white rum, which is often filtered after maturation to obtain the clearest possible end product) or in wooden barrels, where the rum acquires additional colour depending on the maturation period and the degree of charring of the wood. In general, the rums sold in bottles in the countries are blends. This means that different types of rum are mixed in order to obtain a consistent quality of the type/brand in question, but even more so to arrive at a unique product for the seller.

How much alcohol is in Rum?

Alcohol is produced through fermentation, and distillation then produces a drink with a higher alcohol content, between 65 and 95 percent by volume (depending on the method), and the rum is usually bottled at around 40% alcohol by volume, after dilution with rainwater, water from mountain streams or distilled water.

How is Rum made?

Rum can be drunk pure, or as a mixture with, for example, cola (the so-called Cuba Libre or baco, from bacardi-cola). Rum can also be used for cooking.