rum

  1. A distilled spirit made from sugar cane, often in the form of molasses (a by-product of sugar production) or sugar cane juice. Like many spirits, Rum is divided into several categories:
  • White rum (also known as light rum) is un-aged or aged for a very short period of time, and is typically colorless
  • Gold rum is aged for an intermediate period of time, and is typically a light golden color and medium-bodied
  • Dark rum is aged for a long period of time, and is typically a dark caramel color and full-bodied
  • Spiced rum is flavored with various blends of spices, typically cinnamon and allspice
  • Overproof rum is bottled at a higher proof than the standard 40% ABV, frequently 151 proof (75.5% ABV)

These categories are not legally enforced in most countries, and instead are based on convention. Rum is typically aged in oak barrels, often ex-bourbon American oak. It originated in the Caribbean, and has long been a popular spirit in the Americas.