Archive - Rum Wonk

What Was London Dock Rum?

What was London Dock rum—and why did it matter just as much as the Navy’s daily tot? A chapter excerpt from The Rum Never Sets explains.

Aug 25 •

Jamaica Rum Styles Primer

“Jamaica rum” once said it all. Today, with every producer making styles from unaged to long-aged, it’s time to break down the substyles.

Aug 18 •

July 2025

The Rum Never Sets - The New Book on Royal Navy and London Dock Rum

Just released: The Rum Never Sets, a deep dive into Royal Navy & London dock rum by rum historian Matt Pietrek and Planteray Rum's Alexandre Gabriel.

Jul 21 •

Why does that Indie-Bottled Rum Cost $100?

Think independent rum bottlers make big profits? In reality, a $100 bottle yields a shockingly low profit to the brand. A new infographic shows why.

Jul 3 •

June 2025

Rum Additives - What Key Countries Allow

Rum additives are more complex than just sweetening. Discover why and explore the regulations of 24 rum-producing countries.

Jun 16 •

The Essential Tiki Rum Style That Disappeared

The meaning of “Martinique rum” completely changed between the 1950s and today. Martinique rhum agricole wasn’t readily available to consumers in the…

Jun 2 •

May 2025

When is a Column Still Not a Column Still?

Hybrid stills are often mislabeled as column stills, confusing consumers and competitions—true column stills enable continuous, not batch, distillation.

May 19 •

Good Places for Visitors to Buy Rum in the Caribbean - Part 2

In Part 1, I covered why Caribbean visitors may return home with less rum than hoped for. Here in Part 2, I provide tips for successful rum hunting.

May 12 •

Good Places for Visitors to Buy Rum in the Caribbean - Part 1

When rum geeks ask, "Where's the best place to buy rum in the Caribbean?" the answer is complicated. Part 1 of this two-part series is a deep dive on…

May 5 •

April 2025

Is Sorghum Rum a Thing?

Occasionally a sorghum "rum" pops into the news. Here's why sorghum can't be used to make rum.

Apr 2 •

March 2025

Solera Shouldn't Be a Dirty Word in Rum

Solera aging of rum is often demonized by enthusiasts, but a closer look reveals that the problem is misleading age representations, not solera. Also…

Mar 18 •

February 2025

It's Not All About Esters When It Comes to Rum

Many rums called high-ester may not be, and esters often play less of a role in a rum’s flavor profile than you might think.

Feb 21 •

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