Ingredients Matter: A Closer Look at How Rum is Made

The first rum distillation took place in Barbados in the 1630s.

Rum is a flavorful spirit that millions enjoy worldwide. Rum lovers can drink it straight, mix it into cocktails, or even use it as a cooking ingredient. But have you ever stopped to think about how rum is made?

The process of making rum is fascinating and complex. It takes a careful selection of ingredients and precise distillation to create a quality rum.

Variances in the distillation process can affect the final product's quality, taste, and even nutritional value.

Read on for a complete guide to how rum is made!

The History of Rum

The evolution of rum dates back to the early days of colonialism. European colonizers introduced sugarcane to the Caribbean islands in the early 17th century and began using it to make rum.

At that time, distillers made rum in small batches using primitive methods. Plantation owners in the Caribbean drank it and some gave their slaves a liquor allowance in exchange for labor.

The production of rum became an important part of the economies of many Caribbean countries. Today, rum is a multi-billion dollar industry.

With the growth of the industry, there has been a revival of traditional rum-making techniques and new innovations. The result is a wide variety of rums with unique flavor profiles, each with historical and cultural significance.

How Rum Is Made

Rum distillation starts with the juice of the sugarcane plant. Using yeast, distillers ferment the sugarcane juice to produce alcohol.

At this stage, distillers can add other ingredients to introduce different flavor profiles. Ingredients they might use to add flavor to the rum include:

• Spices
• Fruits
• Herbs

The quality of the sugarcane juice is vitally important, as it directly impacts the taste and quality of the rum.

Once the sugarcane juice finishes fermenting with other ingredients, it's ready for distillation. Distillation involves heating the fermented juice to its boiling point, then collecting and condensing the alcohol vapor.

After distillation, the rum has to age to enhance its flavor and smoothness. Distillers typically age rum in oak barrels, but different vessels can lend different flavor notes to the finished rum.

The aging process takes at least a few months but can last up to several years depending on the desired type of rum.

Rum Nutrition Facts

A standard serving of rum (1.5 ounces) contains approximately:

• 97 calories
• 0 grams of fat
• 0.42 grams of sodium
• 0 grams of protein
• 0 grams of carbohydrates
• 0 grams of sugar

Keep in mind that these values can vary depending on the type of rum. Some flavored rums may have ingredients that change these values.

The Finest Navy Rum

Rum is a spirit with a rich history that spans the Atlantic. After the introduction of sugarcane to the Caribbean, the region became the birthplace of this fine beverage.

After fermenting sugarcane juice with other ingredients, distillers concentrate the alcohol and age the rum in barrels. How rum is made today varies, but at Pusser's, we still use the specifications set by the Royal Navy over 300 years ago.

See our process and learn more about our rum's unparalleled smoothness!