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How rum is made

 

RUM, THE WORLD’S OLDEST SPIRIT

The very first rum distillation took place in the Caribbean in 1620, after sugarcane was introduced to them (thank you, Christopher Columbus) and the slaves did not know what to do with the excess molasses they got from sugar production. Luckily, someone decided to play around with it and the rest is history. At the time, people consumed alcohol mainly out of medicinal necessity, but when rum came into existence, it was the first time they drank any spirit for pleasure.

Rum became very well known that around the 18th century, it was used as a currency. Sailors would receive rum as a form of payment for their services and it became one of the most sought-after commodities. Fast forward to today, the largest rum distillery is still in the Caribbean and it produces 100,000 litres every day. No wonder Jack Sparrow always had a bottle of rum in his hand.

Rum has come a long way and has been one of the most celebrated spirits in the world. There’s the Miami Rum Renaissance Festival, the Rum & Reggae Festival in London and Bristol, and the Jamaica Rum Festival, just to name a few. Each region has its distinct rum variety and they even call rum by many nicknames, such as Kill- Devil, Demon Water, Nelson's Blood, or Pirate’s Drink.