Rum: The Spirit of Discovery
At 52North, we believe every glass should tell a story and few spirits carry one as adventurous as rum.
From sun-drenched cane fields to refined sipping serves, rum has journeyed across continents, cultures, and centuries, always with a sense of freedom, flavour, and exploration.
Where It All Began
The story begins in the 1600s, when European settlers brought sugar cane to the Caribbean. The tropical climate was perfect for cultivation, and sugar soon became one of the most valuable commodities in the world.
But sugar refining left behind a sticky by-product: molasses.
Distillers discovered that by fermenting and distilling it, they could create something entirely new. A bold, spirited drink that locals first called “kill-devil” before it became known as rum.
A Spirit That Shaped History
From its humble beginnings, rum’s reputation grew rapidly.
In the colonies it became a form of currency, traded for goods and labour.
For sailors and navies, it was rations — a daily measure of strength and morale.
For pirates, it became legend — woven into stories of freedom and rebellion on the high seas.
By the 1700s, rum stood at the centre of the infamous triangular trade, moving between the Caribbean, the Americas, and Europe.
Wherever ships sailed, rum travelled too.
Voices of the Islands
Each island gave rum its own distinctive style and character:
Cuba refined the spirit into a light, elegant expression, perfect for cocktails.
Jamaica embraced boldness — rich, funky rums bursting with complexity.
French territories crafted rhum agricole from fresh cane juice, grassy and refined.
Rum was never just one thing — it has always reflected the land, the people, and the craft of its origin.
From Ration to Refinement
Fast forward to today, and rum has evolved from sailor’s ration to connoisseur’s choice.
No longer just a cocktail base, it has earned its place among the world’s great spirits — savoured neat, over ice, or in a crafted serve that celebrates its depth and diversity.
The 52North Perspective
At 52North, we see rum as more than history in a bottle.
It’s a compass point guiding us toward shared experiences, discovery, and adventure.
For us, our focus is on creating the smoothest rum that can be enjoyed by everyone in a variety of ways.
To sip rum is to taste sunshine, heritage, and centuries of craftsmanship.
Raise Your Glass
So the next time you pour a measure, remember: Rum isn’t just a drink. It’s the spirit of discovery itself.