Aged Rum: History and Origins

Aged rum is the result of maturation in wooden barrels, often previously used for wine or other products. Sugarcane is fermented in the form of molasses or pure juice, and the must is distilled before ageing begins. The history of this 'spirit' is linked to the discovery of the Americas, the Atlantic voyages of the 18th century, and the rivalries of the great European kingdoms of the period. Sugarcane was domesticated in Asia, brought to Europe by the Arabs, and planted between the Caribbean and South America by the Spanish, Portuguese, and French, eager to exploit the 'white gold', the most desired and traded raw material of those times. Producing sugar leaves behind molasses, sugars that do not crystallize and, after fermentation, can be distilled into alcohol. This was very useful for long sea voyages that lasted for months or years, thanks to its sanitizing properties, and after a long time in barrels, it became quite good! Over the centuries, experimentation continued, giving rise to aged rum in its many variations.

Aged Rum: From Field to Barrel

Aged rum is a renowned and prized version among the most appreciated spirits. Initially, a must is produced from sugarcane juice, a 'wine' that ferments and produces an alcoholic beverage subjected to distillation. Following this step, rum acquires a high alcohol content and is rather pungent and sharp, made smoother and more pleasant to drink thanks to long ageing in wood. If the custom of putting it in barrels was born for transport purposes, over time, the importance of ageing was discovered. One of the fascinating peculiarities, which gives softness and unique characteristics, is that ageing can last for decades, and aged rums from 10, 20, and even 40 years can be found! A symbol of fine drinking that immediately evokes the tropical climate and communicates the value of time.

The Best-Aged Rums in the World

You may hear different names, but they all refer to the same beverage, whether it's Ron, Rum, or Rhum. This diversity stems from the different pronunciations that European peoples adopted in their oceanic voyages.

• Rhum indicated spirits from French colonies, such as those of Martinique, born from the tradition of Cognac.
• Ron was typical of Spanish colonies like Cuba or Venezuela.
• Rum indicated its origin from English colonies like Jamaica.

Each origin also indicates a distinct rum style with unique characteristics: the French style is that of the famous 'agricultural rums', fresh and fragrant, starting from sugarcane juice; Latin or Spanish-style rums have a sweeter character, while English rums are generally more spicy, both produced from molasses, the residue of sugar production. These are generalized styles, but each island or state has even more peculiar characteristics, which are even more pronounced in aged rum: in short, a world of a thousand facets, which you can discover on Callmewine, finding the best-aged rums at the best prices!