Rum
Rum has an interesting history, and one of the bottles that helped popularize it is still available today: Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum. Most people know rum from cocktails like mojitos and daiquiris, but it actually started as a by-product of sugar production in the Caribbean. And somehow, over a few centuries, it went from being called a "kill devil," a harsh liquor with more fire than flavor, to one of the most versatile spirits in the world.
A Brief History of Rum Production
Rum originated in the Caribbean islands, where workers realized that leftover molasses from sugarcane plantations still held enough sugar to be fermented and distilled. What began as a by-product quickly became a useful spirit, moving through taverns of colonial North America and even appearing in New England's exports.
The Royal Navy issued a daily rum ration for centuries, cementing the spirit's nautical reputation. However, its initial success carries a dark legacy: early production depended on the slave trade across the West Indies, a historical reality that shaped both the spirit's development and its global reach.
What Rum Really Is Today
At its core, rum is distilled alcohol made from molasses or sugarcane juice. This alone shapes the different types of rum:
-
Light rums (or white rum) are crisp and clean, perfect for mixed cocktails.
-
Gold rums sit in the middle, with subtle color and smoothness from wood contact.
-
Dark rums spend more time aging, drawing out richer, more complex flavors.
-
Aged rums are matured in oak barrels, developing aromas closer to other liquors and spirits like whiskey, brandy, or even wine.
-
Spiced rum has spices added, like vanilla, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg for warmth.
Distilleries for rum production use column or pot stills, depending on their desired final product. Column stills create lighter rum, while pot stills keep the heavier, fruity, and "funky" aroma (the hallmark of great Jamaican rum).
Why Rums Taste So Different
Each spirit's flavor profile reflects its birthplace, and rum has plenty:
-
Barbados pioneered some of the earliest commercial styles.
-
Jamaican rum carries a funky, fruity depth.
-
Latin American rums lean smoother and lighter; often the go-to choice for drinking rum neat or over ice.
-
Premium rums, the kind found in our limited edition collection, showcase the artistry of blending, barrel aging, and careful selection.
You can also find rums that feature hints of pineapple, coconut, mango, or tropical fruit juices, depending on the recipe and aging style. And if you ever notice how it sits comfortably alongside bundles of beer, wine, or classic mixers like black tea, that versatility is exactly why it became a favorite in the world of home bars.
Some Favorites in This Collection
Before rum became the smooth, sunny spirit we sip today, early travelers called the first batches “kill devil,” a terrible liquor that burned more than it comforted. It's hard to imagine that rough beginning when looking at our best-sellers here:
Somewhere in this collection, you'll find the rum that feels like your flavor of sunshine. And for those tracking the latest rum releases, our new arrivals collection always has something interesting to offer.