Rums of the Caribbean

A culinary investigation into the rums of the Caribbean will reveal a historic and intriguing process that includes core guidelines to ensure a worthy beverage. Rum enthusiasts who are intent on savouring the world of Caribbean rums are in for a treat as they explore a region that is home to some of the world’s best rum distilleries. These distilleries each have their own unique flavors and traditions which result in a variety of rum specialties that range from light rum to dark rum and from spiced rum to aged rum.

The Caribbean has a rich history of rum production, which dates to the 17th century. Nature’s hand in the process comes in the form of a glorious tropical climate and rich, fertile soil. These are the perfect conditions for growing sugar cane, which is the key ingredient in rum. Over the centuries, Caribbean rum has become synonymous with quality, and today, the region produces some of the world’s most sought-after rums.

From Jamaica’s bold and spicy rums to Barbados’ smooth and refined rums, the Caribbean offers a wide variety of flavors and styles to choose from. Let us embark on a journey to discover the rums of the Caribbean.

History of Caribbean Rums

Rum is a distilled spirit made from the sugarcane plant. This beverage was invented in the Caribbean island of Barbados, and soon spread to other countries such as Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba. The first mention of rum on record, was in Barbados around 1650, where it was originally called “kill-devil” or “rumbullion”. However, by 1667 the name was shortened to “rum” [1] and this is the universal moniker recognised for the beverage.

The sugarcane plantations of the Caribbean were ideal for a rum industry to evolve and thrive. Molasses, one of the byproducts of sugar production, was used to make rum. Because Caribbean islands had an abundance of good weather, sugarcane and labor, they were seen as the perfect locations for rum production. As a result, rum was plentiful and it quickly became a popular drink among sailors, pirates, and the working class.

Influence of Colonialism

The colonial powers of Europe played a significant role in the development of rum in the Caribbean. The British, French, and Spanish all had colonies in the region, and they all had a hand in the development of rum. The role of the British was significant because they established a rum trade route, which allowed rum to be exported to other parts of the world.

During the colonial period, rum was a form of currency. It was used to pay slaves and was also used to purchase goods. Rum was also used as a medicine and was believed to have healing properties. The medicinal properties of rum were well known, and it was often used to treat various ailments such as coughs and colds, sore throat, heart ailments and cholesterol issues.

Modern Industry Development

Today, the Caribbean is still known for its rum production. The rum industry has come a long way since its inception in the 17th century. Modern rum production is now a complex process that involves distillation, aging, and blending. Because of these modern techniques, the rum produced in the Caribbean is more well-known for its unique flavor and quality.

The Caribbean islands are home to some of the most famous rum brands in the world, such as Mount Gay, Bacardi and Appleton Estate. The rum industry is a significant contributor to the economies of the Caribbean islands, and it is an essential part of the region’s cultural heritage. Rum distilleries now offer rum tours and tastings, which allow visitors to see the rum making process and taste the product at various stages.

Types of Caribbean Rums

There are several types of rum in the Caribbean. Rums can be distinguished by their aromas, colors, and flavours.

Light Rums

Light rums, which are also known as white or silver rums, are clear in color and have a light, delicate flavor. They are usually aged for a short time, which gives them a milder taste. This does not affect the alcohol content. Light rums are ideal for mixing in cocktails and are a staple in many tropical drinks.

Gold Rums

Gold rums, also known as amber rums, have a deeper color and flavor than light rums. They are aged for a longer time, which gives them a richer taste and aroma. Gold rums are perfect for sipping or mixing in cocktails that require a more robust flavor.

Dark Rums

Dark rums are aged for the longest time and have the richest flavor and color of all the types of Caribbean rums. They are usually aged in charred oak barrels, which gives them a smoky, woody flavor. Dark rums are ideal for sipping straight or mixing in cocktails that require a bold flavor.

Spiced Rums

Spiced rums are flavored with spices and natural herbs. They have a sweet and spicy flavor that can be attributed to spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Because of these enhanced flavors, spiced rums are used in cocktails. During holidays, such as Christmas, they are used in hot toddies and other warm drinks.

Aged Rums

Aged rums are the most complex and expensive of all the types of Caribbean rums. They are aged for several years, which gives them a smooth, mellow flavor and aroma. Aged rums are perfect for sipping straight or on the rocks and are often compared to fine cognacs and whiskeys. Aged rums can be very expensive and may be sold as limited edition and collectors’ items.

Major Rum-Producing Islands

The Caribbean is widely known for its production of high-quality rums. Each island has its own unique style and flavor, making it a favorite among rum enthusiasts. Here are some of the major rum-producing islands in the Caribbean.

Barbados

Barbados holds the honor of being the birthplace of rum. The island has been producing the beverage for over 350 years. Mount Gay Distillery, which is still in operation today, first started rum production in 1703. The process to produce rum in Barbados varies, but most distilleries use either pot stills, column stills or a combination of both, to create delicious rums. Barbadian rums are known for their balance of sweetness and spice, making them perfect for mixing in cocktails.

Jamaica

Jamaica’s rum story began in 1749, hundreds of years after the Spanish brought the first sugarcane plants to the island. The thriving sugar cane industry helped to develop a strong rum production industry that became one of the island’s largest sources of revenue. Today, Jamaica’s rums, which are known for their high levels of ester, fruity and rich, which makes them a good base for cocktails and mixers.

Cuba

Cuba has been growing sugarcane since the early 1500s. However, it is not clear when the island started to produce rum. Today, the most popular rums in Cuba are light and smooth rums. Like other islands, rum is made using molasses and goes through an aging process. Cuban rums are known for their subtle sweetness and hints of vanilla, making them perfect for sipping or mixing in cocktails.

Puerto Rico

The origins of rum production in Puerto Rico began in 1506 when Ponce de Leon introduced the sugarcane plant to the island. After a few hundred years of a successful sugar cane trade, the island’s first rum producer began operations in 1880. Today, Puerto Rico’s rums make up 70% of rum sales in the United States. Additionally, the rum industry generates $300 million annually and employs over 700 people. Puerto’s Rico’s rums are prized for their light and clean flavours, and strict quality standards.

Martinique

The story of rum in the Caribbean also includes a chapter in Martinique. The island started its rum making industry in the 17th century because of increased competition for sugar. Martinique’s rums use the agricole method, which means that rum is produced from sugarcane juice and not molasses. The French government monitors rum production on the island. Because Martinican rums are of a high quality, they were awarded the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) designation.

How Rum Is Made

Rum production involves fermenting sugarcane juice or molasses, distilling the resulting wash, and aging and blending the rum to create unique flavors and aromas. The type of still used and the length of aging can greatly affect the final product.

Fermentation

Fermentation is the process of converting sugarcane juice or molasses into alcohol. Yeast is added to the sugar solution, which then ferments for a few days to a few weeks. During this process, the yeast consumes the sugar and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide. The resulting liquid is a “wash”, which has around 5-10% alcohol by volume.

Distillation

Distillation is the process of separating the alcohol from the water and other impurities in the wash. The wash is heated in a still, which causes the alcohol to vaporize. The vapor is then cooled and condensed back into a liquid, which is collected in a separate container. This process is typically repeated multiple times to increase the alcohol concentration. The resulting liquid is called “rum.”

There are two types of stills commonly used in rum production: column stills and pot stills. Column stills are tall, industrial-sized stills that produce a lighter, more neutral rum. Pot stills, on the other hand, are smaller and produce a more flavorful, full-bodied rum.

Aging and Blending

Aging is the process of maturing the rum in barrels made of oak or other woods. The barrels are charred on the inside, which gives the rum its color and flavor. The longer the rum is aged, the more complex and flavorful it becomes. Blending is the process of combining rums of different ages and flavors to create a unique blend.

Different types of rum are aged for different lengths of time. White or silver rum is typically aged for a year or less, while gold or amber rum is aged for two to three years. Dark or black rum is aged for three or more years and has a more intense flavor and aroma.

Cultural Significance of Rum

Rum has played a significant role in shaping the cultural identity of the Caribbean. Its deep roots lie in the sugarcane fields and its reach extends to celebrations, traditions and of course, Caribbean culture. Rum is a remarkable symbol that is always present in some form or the other in Caribbean life.

Rum in Local Traditions

Rum has been an integral part of local traditions in the Caribbean for centuries. In many Caribbean countries, rum features heavily in religious ceremonies. Some examples are the Vodou religion in Haiti and the Santeria religion in Cuba. Rum is also a main ingredient in many traditional Caribbean dishes, such as rum cake, rum sauce, and rum punch.

In addition, rum is a central component of many Caribbean festivals and celebrations, such as Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago and Crop Over in Barbados. These festivals are famous because of their lively music, colorful costumes, and, of course, the abundance of rum.

Rum in the Global Spirits Market

Rum is not only significant in the Caribbean, but its popularity is also growing in the global spirits market. It is one of the most widely consumed spirits in the world, and markets such as Asia and Europe are demanding more of the product. The global rum market, which was valued at USD 12 billion in 2022, is expected to grow steadily in the coming years. This growth is being driven by increasing demand for premium and super-premium rums.

Here is a list of rum distilleries in the Caribbean and the rum brands they produce.

Antigua and Barbuda

The rum distilleries in Antigua and Barbuda and their rums are:

Antigua Distillery

Cavalier
English Harbour

Academy of Rum

Galleon Beach Rum

Bahamas

The rum distilleries in the Bahamas and their Bahamian rums are:

Bahamas Distilling Company

Floating Pig Spiced Rum
Hammered Coconut Rum
Marlin White Rum
Iguana Gold Rum
Bassett’s Single Barrel Rum

John Watling’s Distillery

Amber Rum
Buena Vista Rum
Pale Rum
Single Barrel Rum

Luna Rum Distillery

Brilliant Banana Rum
Captivating Coconut Rum
Passionate Pineapple Rum

Todhunter-Mitchell Distillery (Commonwealth Brewery)

Ole Nassau Rum

Barbados

The rum distilleries in Barbados and their Barbados rums are:

Foursquare Rum Distillery

Bristol Classic Rum
Clifton Hall Great House Rum
Diadem Single Blended Rum
Doorly’s Barbados Rum
E.S.A. Field Barbados White Rum
Foursquare Spiced Rum
Golden Cask Rum
Hereditas
Kill Devil Single Cask Rum
Mystique
N.A.S 15 Year Old Rum
Old Brigand Barbados Rum
Rum Sponge

Mount Gay Rum Distillery

Andean Oak Cask
Black Barrel
Black Barrel Cask Strength
Eclipse
Single Estate Series
Silver
Madeira Cask Expression
Port Cask Expression
Pot Still Rum
PX Sherry Cask Expression
XO
XO Peak Smoke Expression

St Nicholas Abbey

5-Year-Old Single Cask
8-Year-Old Commemorative Single Cask
18-Year-Old Rare Single Cask
23-Year-Old Rare Special Reserve
White Rum

West Indies Rum Distillery Ltd.

Balla Spiced Rum
Bumbu Original Craft Rum
Bumbu XO Rum
Cockspur 12 (V.S.O.R)
Cockspur Five Star
Cockspur Old Gold
Cockspur Overproof
Cockspur Pineapple Coconut Splash
Cockspur Passionfruit Guava
Cockspur Platinum Rum
Cockspur Splash Citrus Mango
Cockspur XO
Malibu Caribbean Rum with Coconut Liquer
Planteray Cut & Dry Coconut Rum
Plantation Rum Grande Reserve
Plantation Rum XO
Rum Sixty Six
Stade’s Rum

British Virgin Islands

The rum distilleries in the British Virgin Islands and their rums are:

Callwood Rum Distillery

Arundel Cane Rum
10 Year Aged Brown Rum
Brown Rum
White Rum

Pusser’s Rum Ltd.

Aged 15 Years
Blue Label Original Admiralty Rum
Gunpowder Proof Black Label Dark Rum
Spiced Gunpowder Proof Black Label Dark Rum

Cayman Islands

The rum distilleries and rum brands in the Cayman Islands are:

Cayman Spirits Company Distillery

Governor’s Reserve Rum
Seven Fathoms
Edward Teach

Tortuga Rum Company Ltd.

Tortuga Cayman Rum

Cuba

The rum distilleries and rums in Cuba are:

Havana Club Rum Distillery

Havana Club 7 YO Añejo
15 YO Gran Reserva

Ronera Cardenas

Perla Del Norte
Legendario
Arecha

Nauyú Distillery

Varadero
Santero Vigia
Black Tears

Nave Don Panco Distillery

Ron Varadero

Paraíso Distillery

Santero
Relicario
Caribbean Club
Varadero
Mulata
Santísima Trinidad

Romero Central

Cubay
Eminente

Ron Sevilla Factory

Conde de Cuba

San José Distillery

Havana Club

Santa Cruz del Norte Rum Distillery

Havana Club

Santa Fe Distillery

Mulata
Vacilón

Santiago de Cuba Rum Factory

Isla del Tesoro
Caney
Santiago de Cuba
Varadero

Dominican Republic

The rum distilleries and the rums they produce in the Dominican Republic are:

Alcoholes Finos Dominicanos

Barcelo
Yazoo

Brugal Rum Distillery

Brugal 1988
Colleccion Visionaria
Maestro Reserva
Andres Brugal
Extra Viejo

Barceló

Bermúdez
Brugal
Matusalem
Candela Mamajuana
Siboney
Oliver
Macorix

Grenada

The rum distilleries in Grenada and their rums are:

River Antoine Estate Distillery

Rivers

Grenada Distillers Ltd.

Clarke’s Court Distillery

Westerhall Estate Distillery

10XO
Gold Rum
Dark Rum No.7
Light Rum No. 3
12 Degrees Clear
White Jack Rum
Jack Iron Rum

Renegade Rum Distillery

Renegade

Guadeloupe

The rum distilleries and the rums they produce in Guadeloupe are:

Bellevue

Domaine de Bellevue

Bellevue au Moule

Damoiseau

Bielle

Bielle

Bologne

Bologne

Espérance

Longueteau
Karukera

Montebello

Montebello

Papa Rouyo

Papa Rouyo

Poisson

Pére Labat

Reimonenq

Reimonenq

S.I.S. Bonne

Molasses
Darboussier

Haiti

The rum distilleries in Haiti and their rums are:

Barbancourt Rum Distillery

Rhum Barbancourt

Berling S.A.

Vieux Labbé

La Distillerie 1716

Rum 1716

Jamaica

The rum distilleries in Jamaica and their Jamaican rums are:

Appleton

Appleton
J. Wray
Nephew

Clarendon

Monymusk

Hampden Estate

Hampden Estate
Rum Fire

Long Pond

Monymusk

New Yarmouth

Wray & Nephew
Coruba

Worthy Park

Worthy Park
Rum-Bar

Martinique

The rum distilleries in Martinique and their rums are:

Depaz Martinique

Depaz
Dillon

Distillerie A1710

A1710

Fonds Préville

Rhum J.M
Habitation Beauséjour
Rhum HBS

La Favorite

La Favorite

La Mauny

La Mauny
Trois Rivières
Duquesne

Le Galion

Le Galion

Neisson

Neisson

Saint James

Rhum St. James
J. Bally
Madkaud

Simon

Clement
HSE

Puerto Rico

The rum distilleries and rums in Puerto Rico are:

Casa Bacardi Distillery

Bacardi

La Destileria Craft Spirits

Bohique
106 Rum
Pito Rico Authentic

Destilería Serrallés, Inc.

Don Q

Ron del Barrilito

Ron del Barrilito

Club Caribe Destillers

Club Caribe Rum

Saint Kitts and Nevis

The rum distilleries and rums in Saint Kitts and Nevis are:

Baron Edmond de Rothschild Distillery Ltd.

Belmont Estate Rum

Old Road Rum Distillery

Old Road Rum

Saint Lucia

The sole rum distillery in Saint Lucia and its rums are:

Saint Lucia Distillers

Chairman’s Reserve Rum
Bounty Rum
Rum 1931[1]
Rum Admiral Rodney
TOZ rum

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

The sole rum distillery in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the rums it produces are:

St. Vincent Distillers Ltd.

Sunset
Captain Bligh
Sparrow’s

Sint Maarten

The rums and rum distilleries in Sint Maarten are:

Topper’s Rhum Distillery

Topper’s Rhum

Sint Maarten Distillery

Soualiga Rum

Trinidad and Tobago

The sole rum distillery in Trinidad and Tobago and the rums it produces are:

Trinidad Distillers

Angostura Rums
Fernandes Rums
Island Company Rum
Kraken Rum

US Virgin Islands

The distilleries in the United States Virgin Islands and the rums they produce are: Diageo subsidiary Captain Morgan and Beam Suntory subsidiary Virgin Islands Rum Industries, Inc. V.I.R.I. Inc. The two distilleries export in the form of intermodal tank containers at high proof and bottle elsewhere. V.I.R.I. Inc. has a proprietary brand Cruzan but produces a great variety of distributor brands.

A.H. Riise (St. Thomas)

XO Reserve
Royal Danish Navy
Ultra Premium
XO Rum Cream

Beam Suntory Virgin Islands Rum Industries Inc.

Cruzan 151°
Cruzan 9
Cruzan Rum Cream
Cruzan Velvet Cinn

Bones Rum (St. Thomas)

Bones Rum Aged
Bones Rum Spiced

Captain Morgan Distillery

Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold
Captain Morgan Dark Rum
Captain Morgan White Rum
Captain Morgan Black Spiced

H&L Distillery

Hamilton & Lafayette Rum

William Grant & Sons

Sailor Jerry

The cultural significance of rum in the Caribbean is undeniable. The beverage is a symbol of the region’s history, traditions, and way of life. When you sip a rum punch on a Caribbean beach or enjoy a premium Caribbean rum at a bar anywhere in the world, you must pause and appreciate the rich blend and craftmanship of the beverage in your hand.

Rum in the Caribbean

To learn more about the story of rum in the Caribbean, visit the following links:

National Geographic: Liquid sunshine: everything you should know about Caribbean rum
Island Routes: Rum in the Caribbean
Decanter: A Guide to Caribbean Rum
Afar: A Beginner’s Guide to the Dizzying World of Caribbean Rum
The Crafty Cask: The Tumultuous, Economy-Building History of Rum
The Rum Lab: The Evolution of the Caribbean Rum Industry: A Deep Reflection with Patrick Mayers
Liquor: Decolonizing the Whitewashed World of Caribbean Rum
The Rum Company: The Best Rum Distilleries to Visit in the Caribbean
ShortList: The best rum: top rum brands put to the ultimate drinking test
Wikipedia: List of Rum Brands
Forbes: Exploring The World of Cuban Rum
Cocktail Wonk: Caribbean Rum Distilleries & Brands
Discover Puerto Rico: Visit the Rum Distilleries of Puerto Rico

Image: Csaba Veres via Unsplash