The Rum Ration

25/02/2022

As much as I love rum there's a lot of other drinks and spirits I like waxing lyrical about.

Excited to launch Drink To That, a newsletter celebrating the hospitality industry, putting the spotlight on awesome booze and providing content marketing tips.

Subscribe today:

https://drinktothat.substack.com

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23/09/2021

Yo, ho, ho it's time for another edition of A Pirate's Life. This time we're looking at the rum habits of Edward England and his rum cabinet would feature bottles from Tapanga : Single - Estate Rum Africole, Copeland Spirits, Worthy Park Estate and more.

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2021/09/23/a-pirates-life-edward-england/

A Pirate’s Life delves into the rum drinking habits of infamous pirates and the kind of bottles they’d stash away if they were alive today. This edition focuses on the Irishman Edward England, a pi…

02/09/2021

Who says rum and philosophy can't go hand in hand?

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2021/09/02/rum-haiku-51/

When in Rome drink rumas Seneca drank Stoicismcourage, temperance

27/08/2021

The love of rum is a universal feeling and is also felt in the world of The Frontier (which happens to be the setting for my debut horror novella AT THE DEAD OF DUSK).

Find out more about rum production on The Frontier, how it stacks up to whisky and why it should be enjoyed!

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2021/08/27/travelling-the-rum-road-rum-production-on-the-frontier/

When not writing about rum, I moonlight as a horror author and I’m proud to say my debut horror novella AT THE DESK OF DUSK is now out in the world. Set in a grim dark wild west universe call…

05/08/2021

A Rum Haiku:

What makes worthy rum?
Flavour, history, stories
Worthy Park Estate

19/06/2021

There's lots of poetry formats out there and combining rum with a sonnet structure produces some interesting results....

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2021/06/18/rum-sonnet/

There came I day when I set out to sea With a bottle of rum and a head full of cloud The wind at my back, I was happy as can be Rum in hand, head high and proud Those early days brought summer weat…

12/06/2021

The connection between pirates and rum is well-established, but have you heard the story about rum and a pirate parrot?

This is the story behind RON PIET. A 10-year old rum from Panama, it's slow burn satisfaction in a glass and is sure to please rum geeks of all backgrounds.

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2021/06/11/ron-piet-10-year-review/

The link between pirates and rum has been immortalised in popular culture, yet few stories tell of the connection between a pirate parrot and a bottle of grog. This is the kind of tale that’s told …

27/05/2021

The history of piracy is filled with a range of colourful characters. One such character was Howell Davis, who earned a reputation for being a trickster and a master of disguise.

In the latest edition of A Pirate's Life, we look at the rum Davis would keep in his collection and that includes Equiano Rum, Pirate's Grog Rum, Doorly's UK and more.

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2021/05/27/a-pirates-life-howell-davis/

Throughout the history of piracy, there’s been a cavalcade of colourful characters roaming the high seas and etching their names into legend. One such pirate was Howell Davis, who stood out for his…

24/04/2021

There's nothing like a bit of friendly competitive tasting to get the blood flowing....

Check out this tasting comparison of three South American rums between The Rum Ration and The Rum Slinger.

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2021/04/23/the-rum-slinger-vs-the-rum-ration-a-tasting-comparison-of-three-south-american-rums/

Half the fun of being a rum geek is comparing tasting notes with other rum geeks and finding unique flavours and similarities. With that said, I’ve decided to do a taste comparison against the note…

13/04/2021

In the latest edition of Rum Champions, it's all about the story of Elaine Remy from Vie's Jamaican Rum Cakes.

Based in the UK, Elaine set up Vie's Jamaican Rum Cakes in honour of her mum and she bakes some truly awesome boozy treats.

Learn more about Elaine's connection to rum here.

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2021/04/13/rum-champions-elaine-remy

A love of rum can come from many places. For some people, it’s discovering it at a bar, for others it’s tied to family heritage. In Elaine Remy’s case, her rum connection came from her parents and …

08/04/2021

Every island in the Caribbean has its own unique rum culture and Grenada definitely stands out for its potent rum, historical practices and good time vibes.

Take a closer look at the rum culture of Grenada.

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2021/04/08/moonshine-history-and-woodman-exploring-the-rum-culture-of-grenada/

Rum and Caribbean culture go hand in hand, with every island having its own unique culture that’s sprung up around drinking, spirit production and lifestyle choices. A country that I find of partic…

26/03/2021

I'm forever on the look out for drink brands that reference an old legend or a mythological creature and the next port of call on my drunken odyssey is investigating the story of SAIREN Rum.

Learn more about how it taps into Greek mythology and the story of the three sisters.

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2021/03/26/heeding-the-call-of-sairen-rum-and-its-inspiration-from-greek-mythology/

23/03/2021

Meet the brothers who're determined to leave their own unique mark on the spiced rum category.

SLY DOG Rum's Bruce and Louis Goddard-Watts discuss starting a rum brand in lockdown, changing the perception of the category for a new generation and honouring the traditions of what has come before.

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2021/03/23/rum-champions-bruce-and-louis-goddard-watts/

It feels like rum has never been hotter as a spirit. New brands are popping up on a yearly basis and of all the categories, spiced rum is experiencing a tremendous boom in sales and attention. This…

20/03/2021

The popularity of spiced rum continues to rise and SLY DOG Rum are focused on leaving their own mark on the rum category.

SLY DOG spiced rum has an excellent flavour profile reminiscent of Irish whisky. A great balance of sweet and savoury flavours. Sipped straight or mixed, you're going to have a good time either way.

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2021/03/20/sly-dog-spiced-rum-review-whisky-like-wonderful-and-damn-easy-drinking/

Spiced rum continues to be a rising star in the spirits world, standing out for being sessionable and smooth. Many upcoming rum brands have been eager to put their own mark on the spiced rum catego…

14/03/2021

Folklore and rum make for an excellent combination and there's plenty of that mixed into the story of Black Shuck Distillery's Black Shuck spiced rum.

Based on the legend of the ghostly hound found throughout the UK, this rum has as much bark as it does bite. Smooth, versatile and sessionable.

Check out the full review.

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2021/03/14/black-shuck-spiced-rum-review-a-highly-sessionable-rum-that-taps-into-english-folklore/

05/03/2021

As a diverse spirit, rum can open the door to trying other drinks with similar profiles and an interesting spirit to get into is Japanese shochu.

In particular, kokuto (brown sugar) shochu has the kind of flavour profile that's similar to rum but is distinctive in its own right.

Learn more about how rum and kokuto shochu compare side by side.

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2020/09/05/kokuto-shochu-vs-rum

When it comes to diverse spirits, rum deserves to be at the forefront of the conversation. The range of flavour profiles is incredible and this diversity can provide a gateway into spirits that hav…

15/02/2021

English folklore is full of stories of fantastical beasts and Black Shuck is one of the most infamous.

The creature's story has been reimagined through the likes of Black Shuck Distillery through the medium of rum and the results are interesting to say the least!

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2021/02/15/going-to-the-dogs-the-legend-of-black-shuck-and-reimagination-through-rum/

English folklore is made up of countless stories of monsters, beasts and fantastical creatures who roam the land, with one of the most infamous being Black Shuck. Tales of sinister, black dogs have…

02/02/2021

In recent years, Japan has upped its game with rum production and there are several brands to check out. But what exactly is Japanese rum and how does it stand out from rum producers in other parts of the world?

Japan Distilled does a great job of explaining the unique quality of Japanese rum and the bottles to try.

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2021/02/02/appreciating-the-world-of-japanese-rum-japan-distilled-podcast-review/

With each passing year, rum is becoming more popular, with different countries leaving their own mark on the category and infusing unique characteristics. Japan is also getting in on the rum boom a…

09/01/2021

Japanese rum is steadily becoming its own category and the Cor Cor brand is at the forefront of this movement.

Cor Cor Red is produced on the island of Minamidaito in the region of Okinawa with local sugarcane.

With multiple layers and a quiet dignity, Cor Cor Red is a phenomal rum for anyone interested in exploring what Japanese rum has to offer!

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2021/01/09/cor-cor-red-rum-review-a-tropical-delight-that-showcases-the-spirit-of-okinawa/

Japan holds a long tradition of producing high-quality drinks, with the people having a knack for putting their own spin on an established technique and perfecting it. This was the case for whisky …

08/01/2021

The origin of different sea shanties is worth exploring because it provides insight into the conditions of ship life throughout history.

In the case of Fiddler's Green, the song is modern and was inspired by an Irish legend. Find out more about the shanty and why rum grows on trees in Fiddler's Green!

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2021/01/08/songs-of-the-sea-fiddlers-green/

No matter the time period, a life at sea is no picnic and sailors would often find ways to break up the monotony and pain of long voyages. Sea shanties were common and while many songs carried a me…

07/01/2021

Rum and shanties were common ways for sailors to pass the time on long voyages, creating an intriguing subculture of music and spoken word.

Rolling Down To Old Maui is a fine example of a story that packs all the emotion of a sailing journey.

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2020/10/24/songs-of-the-sea-rolling-down-to-old-maui/

Songs Of The Sea puts the spotlight on some of history’s most enduring sea shanties that are connected to rum. Many shanties had a mournful tone to them and depicted harsh conditions at sea, which …

06/01/2021

Rum and folklore go together like macaroni and cheese. Each elevates the other and creates some really amazing results and here are four bottles backed by some intriguing stories!

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2020/07/11/4-intriguing-rums-that-have-been-inspired-by-folklore/

Rum plays an important role in the folklore of many different cultures, ranging from Caribbean destinations like Jamaica, to the American deep south. So, it should come as no surprise that there ar…

21/12/2020

Rum is the kind of drink that crosses boundaries, featuring prominently in songs such as Rum and Coca-Cola. The song itself has an intriguing history that stretches back to WW2.

Originally created in Trinidad, Rum and Coca-Cola was a song of defiance and social commentary.

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2020/12/21/the-story-of-rum-and-coca-cola/

Rum is the kind of drink that crosses boundaries. It can act as the bridge between different mediums, linking hospitality with entertainment. The music industry is no different, with rum being a ma…

11/12/2020

The spiced rum category is experiencing great popularity in the UK and Hygge Rum are proving why the category shouldn't be underestimated.

With notes of to***co, woodsmoke, stewed banana and caramel, Hygge rum is a drink that's well worth sharing with friends and family.

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2020/12/10/hygge-spiced-rum-review/

10/12/2020

Rhum JM has earned a reputation for producing some of the finest rhum agricole on the planet.

Taking a virtual tour of the distillery and learning more about Rhum JM's portfolio from master blender Karine Lassalle was a great experience and demonstrated why rhum agricole is so unique!

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2020/12/10/exploring-the-world-of-rhum-agricole-with-rhum-jm-master-blender-karine-lassalle/

28/11/2020

Haiti produces a range of memorable rums and Barbancourt is perhaps the most well-known. It's important to note that Barbancourt rum stands apart from rhum agricole and clairin, creating something unique.

The Rumcast's episode with CEO Delphine Gardère goes into great depth about what makes Barbancourt stand out and what can be expected from the brand in future!

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2020/11/28/learning-about-the-story-of-barbancourt-rum-with-delphine-gardere-rumcast-review/

20/11/2020

The Danish concept hygge conjures images of cosiness and happy living. Hygge Rum wanted to translate this feeling into rum form and provide a memorable drinking experience in every bottle.

Learn more about how Hygge Rum got its start, what makes it different from other spiced rum and the challenges of creating a brand in lockdown.

https://therumration.wordpress.com/2020/11/19/a-conversation-with-hygge-rum/

The spiced rum category has experienced a great boom in recent years, with consumers using it as a gateway into the wider rum world. This enjoyment is sure to increase and a brand that’s embraced t…