Jamaican Rum

If you mention Jamaica to most folks, they will tell you about the sand, the beach, the fun, and of course the rum. Rum, making up a large portion of exotic drinks on the island. The most popular being "Rum Punch." Do not let the sweetness fool you. Two glasses can sometimes do you in if your are not use to drinking Jamaican Rum.

I found this short synopsis of the history of rum. "Rum is an alcoholic beverage distilled from sugarcane by-products that are produced in the process of manufacturing sugar. Molasses, the thick syrup remaining after sugarcane juice has been crystallized by boiling, is usually used as the basis for rum, although the juice itself, or other sugarcane residues, is also used. The molasses is allowed to ferment, and the ferment is then distilled to produce a clear liquid that is aged in oaken casks. The golden color of some rums results from the absorption of substances from the oak. The darker, heavier Jamaican rums--made for the most part in Jamaica, Barbados, and Guyana -- are produced from a combination of molasses and skimmings from the sugar boiling vats; the darkest, Guyana's Demarara, is produced by very rapid fermentation and is not particularly heavy bodied. The fermentation of other substances in the molasses enhances the liquid's flavor and aroma.

"After distilling, the rum is sometimes darkened by the addition of caramel and is aged from 5 to 7 years. Lighter, drier rums from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are more rapidly fermented with cultured yeasts and are aged from 1 to 4 years. (http://www.avirtualdominica.com/rum.htm)

Appleton Rum is considered one of the finest rums in the world. While perusing the site (many who read this blog know I love imagery) I found several rums and rum products that the tourist seem to crave when they come to the island. Enjoy the pictures dem mon.

For more pictures please check out the following site...http://www.rum.cz/galery/cam/jm/finzi/