How Is Rum Made?

Rhum, ron, and rum—each name carries its own legacy and distinct style, and diving into this world can be a bit overwhelming for the uninitiated. The origins of rum are a mystery, with various theories about how it came to be. But how is rum made?

At its core, all rum starts with sugar cane, and the ways it’s processed can vary. Some rums are molasses-based, while others come from sugar cane juice or syrup. The choice of ingredients and process tells you a lot about the rum style the distiller is going for. 

In this guide, we'll take a closer look at how rum is made, including the fermentation, aging, and everything in between!

How Is Rum Made? Production Process of 3 Types of Rums

Rhum, ron, and rum each have their own unique production methods and flavors.  In this guide, we’ll break down how to create each one.

Rhum

Rhum Agricole creation has a distinct, hands-on approach. Experts start by harvesting and pressing sugar cane to extract every last drop of juice. Then, they ferment the sugar cane before distilling it, often using a Coffey column still. This still design produces higher-proof alcohol and highlights those bright, grassy flavors that make Rhums stand out in the rum world.

This method, known as the French Agricole style, comes from the sunny French Caribbean islands like Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Haiti. It results in a lighter, herbaceous spirit with a unique earthy vibe that screams "island life."

After distillation, Rhums are usually aged in French Limousin oak or used American white oak bourbon barrels, which give them a little extra charm and depth.

So, if you spot "Agricole" on a bottle, and it’s not from the French Caribbean? Something’s fishy. While it might still be tasty, it’s not the real deal!

Ron

Rons are the heart and soul of the islands once ruled by Spain, such as Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. These rums start with molasses that’s fermented just the right amount to unleash bold flavors. 

After the magic fermentation, they’re twice distilled in modern column stills, then either blended and bottled or aged in American white oak bourbon barrels for that signature smoothness.

Some Rons take it a step further. After the first distillation, the liquid transforms into "Aguardiente" and gets an extra couple of years of aging in those same barrels, picking up even more character along the way.

Rons have a lighter body and complex flavor profiles that really show off their country of origin. Dominican rums, for example, are often sweeter and drier, while Cuban rums pack more robust and dynamic flavors. It’s a rum world full of flavor and variety, just waiting for you to explore!

Rum

Rum, a name that goes way back to the English style of production, was born from the colonization of the Americas and the Caribbean. 

The magic starts with molasses, which ferments for a longer period, then it is distilled in copper pot stills or modern column stills. This method gives rum its bold, heavy body and rich complexity, with flavors that tell the story of the base materials used during fermentation.

The fun begins with the Master Blender, who decides which rums get bottled up for immediate enjoyment and which ones will mature a little longer in barrels. 

Rum is often aged in once-used American white oak bourbon barrels. This adds a touch of oakiness and depth, making each sip even more satisfying.

Fermentation and the Flavor Journey of Rum

Fermentation is where the magic starts! It’s the process where the base ingredient (like molasses or sugar cane juice) meets water and yeast to transform into something spectacular. As the yeast gobbles up the sugar, it produces alcohol and CO2, turning simple ingredients into the heart of rum.

Distilleries might use everything from local wild yeasts to specially crafted lab strains, and the fermentation process can stretch anywhere from a single day to several weeks.

Fun fact: some distilleries collect the CO2 produced and sell it to other companies or even use it in other products they create! And while some rum brands love to boast about their “special yeast,” it's all about what truly impacts the flavor versus the marketing buzz.

How Barrels Shape the Flavor of Rum

Rum aging is where the real transformation happens, and it’s a process influenced by the tropical heat of the Caribbean. Rums aged there interact with the wood in a way that speeds up the aging process, making a 12-year-old Barbados rum comparable to a whiskey aged twice as long in Kentucky. 

If you ever visit a distillery in the Caribbean, don’t miss the aging warehouse. It’s an experience! The smell of evaporating rum in the air is intoxicating.

The fun doesn’t stop with oak barrels. Master Blenders are getting creative with beer, Cognac, and wine casks to add layers of flavor and complexity. Take Plantation Rum, for example. They source fresh rum from Barbados and Jamaica, then ship it to France to finish in used Cognac casks, creating a distinctive flavor profile. 

Foursquare Rum Distillery in Barbados has also been pushing boundaries, blending rums aged in bourbon barrels and finishing them in Cognac or wine casks to produce some truly epic results.

Once the rum ages to perfection, it’s filtered, blended to the ideal proof, and bottled. If you see an age statement on a bottle in the U.S., it’s required by law to reflect the age of the youngest rum in the blend, although enforcement can be a bit lax. 

At the end of the day, while rum production methods have evolved, the core process remains the same. The result is always a versatile spirit that’s just as perfect in cocktails as it is neat.

Now That You Know How Rum Is Made… 

You’re ready to start finding your next favorite rum! Rum comes in many forms. Whether it’s Rhum, Ron, or classic rum, each style has its unique production process. We’ve talked about how to make these spirits, from the fermentation and distillation methods to the aging process. 

The wood barrels, whether bourbon, Cognac, or wine casks, add layers of flavor, making each bottle distinct. And let’s not forget the fermentation period that kicks off the magic.

Now that you’re a rum pro, it’s time to explore what’s out there. If you’re on the hunt for a good rum bottle under $100 or rums under $50, we have some amazing options here at Flaviar.