Australia has a history and special place for rum. Kim Berry provides a speed summary to explain some of the reasons why.
The settlement’s military, the New South Wales Corps, controlled the colony’s economy and rum supply, which gave it untold power and the nickname of the Rum Corps. When Governor William Bligh arrived in 1806, he had orders to rein in the Corps and the use of alcohol for bartering. Two years later, the New South Wales Corp deposed Bligh in the first and only time Australian military force was used to overthrow a government.
While depression and improved technology for beer production in the mid-1880s saw greater competition for rum and its hold over the young settlement, today, the Australian rum industry is robust.
Queensland is home to many of the larger, well-established distilleries, as well as craft distilleries because of its sugar cane industry. The Bundaberg Rum Distillery began in 1888, while Beenleigh Artisan Distillery in Eagleby, Queensland, is the country’s oldest, making small-batch rum since 1884.
But the number of distilleries and types of rum being produced are on the rise, with more than 80 now operating in Australia and making the most rum’s range of styles.
Dark rums have been aged longer and might have additional molasses in them, while gold rums have a more golden colour from mellowing in barrels. If you like holding onto your hat, navy rum or overproof rum provides a much higher ABV and punch. Premium aged brings refinement to the category, with some aged in specialty casks for more than 20 years.
Spiced rum allows the opportunity for greater personalisation of rum, through local spices or fruits. White or silver rum is lighter and milder than other varieties.
Whether you like rum for sipping or mixing, Australia’s connection to rum holds firm.