Colombian Rum: History and Excellence

Which country has the best rum in the world?

The countries of the Caribbean basin are the undeniable leaders in rum production worldwide. Colombian rum continues to be produced according to original techniques which, despite being centuries old, are the best way to craft quality product from specially selected ingredients.

Is rum made in Colombia?

Colombia is among the countries that produce rum. The climate there is perfect for growing sugar cane - the main ingredient of Colombian rum - and maturing rum in barrels.

Does Colombia have good rum?

Colombia is known for producing some of the most awarded rums in the world. The climate in this part of the world is extremely favourable towards the production of rum thanks to its proximity to the ocean.

The fertile soil, as well as the balance between rainy and dry periods, facilitate the growth of sugar cane, making Colombia an ideal spot for its plantations.

The temperature hovering above 25 degrees, paired with the air humidity of over 85%, create the perfect conditions for the ageing of Colombian rum in oak barrels.

Attention should be paid to the phenomenon known as the "angel's share," which refers to the evaporation of alcohol from barrels. According to legend, it is the angels who sip this evaporated portion. In Colombia, due to the high temperature and humidity, this phenomenon is particularly intense, which increases the value of the liquid that remains in the barrel because there is less of it.

What is Colombian rum made from?

Colombian rum is produced from fresh sugarcane juice. Dictador rum owes its unique flavour to the process of virgin sugar cane honey fermentation.

The distillation process typical for Colombian rum is what sets it apart from other spirits in this category.

How do you drink Colombian rum?

Rum is a common ingredient in exotic cocktails. However, due to its rich flavour and intense tasting notes, Colombian rum is best enjoyed on its own.

We especially recommend to drink Dictador rum without any additions, neat or on the rocks. This is the best way to fully appreciate its unique taste and spot the differences between different blends.

What is the best Colombian rum?

Colombia is home to multiple rum brands. Dictador rum is said to be among the best Colombian rums, thanks to generations of distillation expertise within the Parra family, who have honed their craft over three generations. Its production relies on traditional distillation methods and the highest quality ingredients. It is globally awarded and appreciated by connoisseurs. The company, which perfected rum production methods over the years and gained recognition, has entered a new era in its history with new investors. They have established a new product category that previously did not exist: luxury rum.

Colombian rum history

Colombia was a cultural melting pot, uniting victors and the vanquished, blending the influences of the Spanish and British conquerors. Cartagena served as its window to the world.

It is speculated that the name of the spirit - rum - might originate from the Latin term for sugar - saccharum. After all, Colombian rum is the product of fermentation of sugar or honey sourced from sugar cane.

Sugar cane has been cultivated for thousands of years, and people have been experimenting with different methods of processing it for just as long. However, the invention of rum is associated with Christopher Columbus’ explorations in the 15th century.

It is with him that sugarcane seedlings are rumoured to have reached the New World - what is now known as the Americas, the homeland of rum. The recipe for Colombian rum is partially attributed to either planters or slaves working on sugar cane plantations in the Caribbean. They were the first to discover that molasses - the byproduct of sugar refining - can be made into a tasty spirit.

Incidentally, the alcohol originating from molasses - not yet called rum - was initially a very cheap spirit. Molasses itself was meant to be sold as a cheaper replacement of other sweeteners. What is now considered one of the most noble and most expensive alcohols in the world started as a low-cost enjoyment for those with the lowest social rank.

Why was rum called kill devil?

The initial attempts at rum were aptly named kill devil. Supposedly, the spirit owes this endearing nickname to its ability to quickly incapacitate slaves and workers who imbibed it.

The liquid treasure

The recipe for rum has been systematically perfected, until it went from a cheap way to get intoxicated to an internationally-craved delicacy.

Rum barrels travelled across the oceans to other parts of the world, leaving people craving more. The heady rush of the liquid treasure carried on from South to North America.

Soon, the appreciation for rum grew so much that sailors serving on the ships of Royal Navy began enjoying a pint of rum rather than the previously rationed ale.

Golden medicine

But sailors didn’t sip rum on duty just for pleasure. Numerous historical proofs indicate that rum was used as a remedy for all kinds of ailments between the 17th and 18th century. It was prescribed for everything - as a cough syrup and an antidote to a poisonous bite.

The main advantage of rum on ships was the protection the spirit granted against one of the biggest plagues among sailors - scurvy. This is precisely where the common myth of drunken sailors finds its origin. It took the captains a while to realise that the conditions below deck, where barrels with rum were stored, caused the spirit to gain in strength.

The daily rations of rum had to be watered-down to help the crew remain standing and alert for duty. This solution brought to us what is now known as grog - additionally spiced with some extra ingredients for a richer flavour.

Interestingly, the tradition of rationing rum among sailors of the Royal Navy wasn’t nulled until 1970. To think that just a little over 50 years ago, British officers still enjoyed a cup of rum alongside their daily wage.

Ups and downs

Rum continued to grow in value until it reached the luxury good status it holds to this day. Politicians exchanged barrels of rum as a form of gift. Just as often, they were used as bribes meant to buy into the electorate’s or other politicians’ good graces. Rum also became a form of currency in international trade.

Eventually, rum gained enough power to become the reason for power struggle and social unrest. The growing demand for sugar cane production, paired with the threat the import of rum posed to other kinds of spirits that were dominant in Europe, steadily led to international conflict.

Following a considerably long period of back-and-forth over the import and export of rum, the spirit earned its way back into the people’s good graces during the prohibition era. Once consuming it was forbidden, everyone started craving it once more.

This period popularised a wide array of cocktails featuring rum, served in speakeasy bars. Unfortunately, most of the liquids passed as rum back then had little to do with actual rum. In fact, it wasn’t uncommon for patrons who frequented those bars to find themselves feeling unwell quite often. Aged rum is costly to produce due to the angel's share, yet its place in the world of spirits remains undervalued.

If you’re looking for the best Colombian rum, make sure to head over to the Dictador online store. Sign up to our newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest events from the world of rum and find out more about Colombian aged rum.