The Ultimate Rum Quiz

The history of rum dates back to the 17th century in the Caribbean when slaves on sugarcane plantations discovered that molasses, a by-product of sugar refining, could be fermented into alcohol and then distilled. The word "rum" is believed to be related to "rumbullion," a beverage made from boiling sugar cane stalks, and "rumbustion," a slang word for uproar or tumult. Rum is produced in nearly every sugar-producing region of the world, with Tanduay being the largest producer of rum globally in the Philippines. Varieties of rum include light, golden, dark, and premium, with light rum being commonly used in cocktails and premium rum designed to be consumed straight or iced. Rum has played a part in the culture of the West Indies, the Maritime provinces, and Newfoundland, and has associations with the Royal Navy and piracy. The name used for a rum is often based on its place of origin. Naval rum was a blend mixed from rums produced in the West Indies and was initially supplied at a strength of 100 degrees proof. The Royal Navy continued to give its sailors a daily rum ration, known as a "tot," until the practice was abolished in 1970. Rum became an important trade good in the early period of the colony of New South Wales and was intimately involved in the only military takeover of an Australian government, known as the Rum Rebellion. Categorizing rum is complicated due to the varying rules and laws of the nations producing the spirit, with differences in spirit proof, minimum aging, and naming standards. Within the Caribbean, each island or production area has its own distinct style of rum.Types of Rum & Its Production Process

• Most rum consumed in the U.S. is produced in the "Spanish-speaking" style due to the influence of Puerto Rican rum.
• Cachaça is a spirit similar to rum that is produced in Brazil.
• Seco is a spirit similar to rum, but also similar to vodka since it is triple distilled and comes from Panama.
• Mexico produces a number of brands of light and dark rum, as well as other less-expensive flavored and unflavored sugarcane-based liquors.
• Aguardiente is a spirit distilled from molasses and often infused with anise, with additional sugarcane juice added after distillation, produced in Central America and northern South America.
• 'Cane juice' is a cheap, strong spirit distilled from sugarcane, which can be as strong as 43% ABV, produced in West Africa, particularly in Liberia.
• Tuzemak is a similar spirit made from sugar beet, produced in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
• Unlike some other spirits, rum has no defined production methods and is based on traditional styles that vary between locations and distillers.
• Sugarcane is traditionally collected by sugarcane machete cutters who cut the cane near to the ground before lopping off the green tips.
• Most rum is produced from molasses, which is made from sugarcane, and a rum's quality depends on the quality and variety of the sugar cane that was used to create it.
• After ageing, rum is normally blended to ensure a consistent flavour, the final step in the rum-making process.
• Rum is used in a number of cooked dishes as a flavoring agent in items such as rum balls or rum cakes, and in cocktails such as the Cuba libre and daiquiri.