Rum. Just the word makes you want to put on a big hat and indulge in a bit of swashbuckling. Of course, at this time of year, a number of you will be on boats, just saying.

But beyond its pirate associations, rum carries a history as rich and complex as the spirit itself. Born from the sugarcane fields of the Caribbean, its journey is one of discovery, trade, rebellion, and craft. It has fuelled navies, sweetened political deals, and found its way into glasses across the globe.

In the 17th century, the booming sugar trade reshaped economies and cultures. European powers established vast plantations in the Caribbean, where refining sugar for export left behind molasses—a thick, sticky byproduct that was initially considered waste. But waste it was not. Fermentation turned molasses into alcohol, and distillation transformed it into something much more valuable: rum.

Rum quickly became a key player in global trade. It was used as currency, exchanged for goods, and even played a role in political manoeuvring—colonial politicians were known to offer rum to sway voters. And then there were the sailors, pirates, and naval officers who embraced it as both a ration and a reward.

Rum’s incredible diversity today is a direct reflection of the colonial empires that once controlled its production. Each European power brought its own techniques, shaping the distinct rum styles we enjoy today:

• British-style rum: Bold, full-bodied, and rich, British-style rums—particularly from Jamaica and Barbados—are known for their intensity and depth, thanks to long fermentation and pot still distillation. This style became the foundation of the famous naval rum rations.

• French Rhum Agricole: Unlike most rums, which are made from molasses, Rhum Agricole is distilled from fresh sugarcane juice. This method, developed in French Caribbean territories like Martinique, creates a vibrant, grassy, and terroir-driven spirit.

• Spanish-style rum: Clean, smooth, and elegant, Spanish-influenced rums—often produced in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic—are typically column-distilled and aged using the solera system, a technique borrowed from sherry production.

History will always shape what you become, and Flor de Cana is no different. The fifth generation, family-owned distillery has seen its share of adversity, narrowly surviving a plane crash, a civil war, nationalizations, hyperinflation, fires, hurricanes, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. It was the decade-long turn down during the civil war in the 1980s that meant Flor de Caa would come out the other side with the largest reserve of aged rum in the world.

Created by Matt Bridge and Angie Bradley, Lunatic & Lover burst on to the scene in mid-2020. Since then, it has picked up many awards for its Botanical Rum and has just added a certified organic rum to the line up. Rum for those who like to think a little differently says Matt who is "Head Distiller".

Creating good rum however, is an altogether more challenging proposition. The devil, as they say, is most definitely in the detail. We take aberrant care to passionately craft a distillate that is rich and interesting, even before it is enhanced by our botanicals.

Our pursuit of perfect flavour begins with molasses; a thick, dark, delightfully messy product of the sugar refining process.

Brugal was founded in 1888 in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic by Don. Andres Brugal, a Spaniard by birth, whose goal was to create only the finest Caribbean rum. He succeeded. His expertise in the art of rum making has been passed through the generations of the Brugal family, the Maestros Roneros, who are the guardians of our rums, making sure every bottle produced has gained the privilege to wear Brugal on it.

Located near the centre of Amsterdam, Spirited Union produces exceptional botanical infused rums, creating a new flavour driven category for rum. Its mission is to revolutionise the rum category by uniting rum with real botanicals and getting the most out of each ingredient so that nothing is wasted.

Spirited Union aims to inspire taste explorers to find new ways to enjoy rum and recommend simple serves, easily created at home, with a range of premium mixers like tonic, lemonade or ginger beer. Spirited Union is produced in the spirit of sustainability. They are on a mission to make thier supply chain as sustainable as possible. Working in a solar powered distillery, eliminating single use plastic, working with sustainable partners are keys to achieving this.