The first Rum is first said to have been used in Barbados in the 1620s to describe intoxicating, rough and unpleasant liquor made from sugarcane juice. Although the exact origin of rum is not known, it is commonly believed to come from the English word 'rumbullion' which means 'great tumult'. Today rum is made of sugarcane and by-products such as molasses and sugarcane juice. Rum is a product of a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid is usually aged in oak and other casks. Majority of rum production occurs in Caribbean and along the Demerara River in South America, but rum is produced also elsewhere in the world such as Australia and India. Many of the finest rums were produced in New England prior to Alcohol prohibition. Rum is produced in a variety of styles. Light rums are often used in mixed drinks, while golden rums are appropriate for cooking as well as cocktails. Premium brands of rum are also available that are made to be consumed neat or on the rocks. Rum plays a part in the culture of most islands of the West Indies, and has a famous association with the British Royal Navy and piracy. Rum has also served as a popular medium of exchange that helped to promote slavery along with providing economic instigation for Australia's Rum Rebellion and the American Revolution.
