What is Rum?

Rum is a distilled spirit made from sugarcane—usually juice, syrup, or molasses—that’s fermented and then turned into a clear base spirit. From there, rum can go in a few directions. Bottled young, it’s bright and punchy with fresh cane and tropical fruit notes, perfect for daiquiris, mojitos, and highballs. Lightly aged “white” rums rest briefly in wood, then are filtered clear, gaining smoother texture and subtle vanilla, caramel, or honey without losing their crisp character. Give rum a few years in barrels and it turns golden, picking up oak, baking spice, dried fruit, and a longer, softer finish—great for both cocktails and sipping neat. In this light‑hearted guide, we answer “What is rum?” in plain language and explain how aging and barrels shape flavor, from young mixing rum to richer, premium double‑aged sippers.