News

Rum Journal: The Rum of Early America

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - December 9, 2014 - 5:44 pm

THERE WAS a time when rum was as American as apple pie.

Before there even was apple pie.

In the colonial period, rum was one of the major industries of America, and the spirit’s popularity continued to soar for years, until Prohibition ground the country’s industry to a halt.

But what did early American rum taste like?

Well, it wasn’t like the smooth, refined spirits you might find today in the Caribbean, a bit closer to the British Navy’s daily tot.

It was a rough, bold, unapologetic — or so scholars maintain.

Now, a new rum from what’s become one of the world’s most creative distilleries: Lost Spirits distillery in California seeks to answer the question.

It’s called Colonial American Inspired Rum, and it’s a small-batch rum, matured using new and used American Oak barrels and, more importantly, toasted, blended and finished in a Napa Valley rd wine cask.

The result is something rather special indeed.

The rum has a rich, dark-red/brown colour, with a fascinating aroma of wood and hickory smoke; the taste is brash: notes of wood, pepper, smoke and a hint of dark berry or even a plum.

The result is a kind of rum archaeology: it’s like traveling back to another time in your glass.

And well worth the trip.

Popular Posts antigua long bay

25 Perfect Caribbean Beaches to Add to Your Summer Bucket List

There’s nothing like a Caribbean beach in summer. The crowds thin out, the winds relax, and the islands start breathing in a different way. The beaches you thought you knew feel new again— stretches of sand once packed with winter […]


The 15 Best Hotels in Trinidad and Tobago, From Hidden Eco-Retreats to Luxury Towers

trinidad and tobago hotels where to stay

From Port of Spain to Tobago’s quiet coasts, these are the places to check in now No two Caribbean islands are quite like Trinidad and Tobago—and no two hotels here feel the same. This is a destination of contrast: Carnival […]


This Marriott All-Inclusive Resort Is Coming to Barbados —  And You Can Book It With Points

new brand for the caribbean

Barbados has long been a haven for adults in search of refinement — the kind of place where luxury and culture blend in quiet, confident harmony. Now, that ethos is becoming the foundation of a new resort concept that aims […]


Related Posts martinique french caribbean hostpot

A Legendary Caribbean Chef Just Opened a New Eatery in Martinique (With a Rum Bar, Too) 

Maybe you’ve tried the foie gras-banana. Or the swordfish. Or just tried one of the best ti’ punches anywhere. If you’ve been to one of Guy Ferdinand’s establishments, you know.  And now there’s another one: Ferdinand has done it again: […]


These 5 Caribbean Cities Are Perfect for a Quick Weekend Getaway

old san juan puerto rico caribbean cities

The Caribbean is about more than just its stunning natural beauty — it’s about culture, character, and city streets that feel like they’ve lived a hundred lives. Some of the most memorable escapes happen not on a remote cay, but […]


The Dreamiest Rainforest Resorts in the Caribbean, From Dominica to Belize

rainforest resorts

The Caribbean is often imagined as a string of sun-drenched beaches — white sand, turquoise water, and endless horizon. And while that version of the Caribbean is very real, it’s only part of the story. Move beyond the shoreline, and […]