Discover Craft Rum
Discovery of Sugarcane
The discovery of sugarcane can be traced back to antiquity, however, the actual fermentation of sugarcane juice is believed to have first occurred either in ancient India or China around 1500 A.D.
1600's – First distillation of Sugarcane into Rum
Caribbean Islands, Sailors and Pirates
The first distillation of fermented sugarcane molasses and thus the first rum spirit produced took place on the sugarcane plantations of the Caribbean in the 1600's. Plantation slaves first discovered that molasses, a by-product of the sugar refining process, can be fermented into alcohol or Rum (English), Rhum (French), Ron (Spanish).
The association of rum with the Royal Navy began in 1655 when the British fleet captured the island of Jamaica. With the availability of domestically produced rum, the British changed the daily ration of liquor given to seamen from French brandy to rum. Rum's association with piracy began when British privateers became pirates and buccaneers.
1700's – 63 Rum Distilleries in New England Colonies
The Original Spirit of America
Rum was official drink of the New England colonies. The French's ban on manufacture of rum to protect their domestic brandy industry provided a cheap source of molasses for the American colonies. Sixty three distilleries sprang up providing 80% of all exports from the colonies. The British first imposed a tax on molasses and subsequently on sugar (taxation without representation) and tea which led to the Boston Tea Party and American Revolution. Rum was the preferred drink of American Soldiers during Revolutionary War and was America's original spirit of choice.
1900's – Last of New England Rum Distilleries Close
Subsidies on Imports & Prohibition Destroys the American Rum Industry
Imported rum from Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands receive federal tax subsidies and Rum production in the United States slowly decreases. Prohibition is instituted with ratification of the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1920 and as a result the last New England Rum distilleries close. The 21st amendment repeals prohibition of alcohol in 1930 but the subsidies on imports continues and therefore the American rum industry never recovers.
2000's – RAILEAN Establishes Craft Rum Distillery
The American Craft Rum Revolution is Born
Craft Distilleries become popular like Craft Breweries and Boutique Wineries and demand for locally made handcraft spirits increase to a point where people demand higher quality, locally produced spirits. RAILEAN capitalizing on this niche market establishes the first rum distillery in Texas and becomes the first American Rum to be Certified Made in USA in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission Regulations.
