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Come and Discover the South Coast of Jamaica with our Appleton Estate Tour!

When cane juice is boiled under vacuum, sugar crystals are formed and separated from the residual molasses. Widely used as food for the poor and cattle feed by the rich, it was only a matter of time before the intoxicating properties of molasses were discovered. This sucrose-rich brown syrup mixed with water eventually ferments and becomes diluted alcohol. When distilled, this 'crude liquor' appeared to engender such loutishness by whoever drank it that it became known as 'Kill Devil'.

The raw fiery alcohol, Kill Devil, was said to 'light a blaze' and provoke unruly rumbustious behaviour. Although riot and mayhem are no longer part of the rum experience, the spirit's vibrant origins seem enshrined within the very name 'rum'.

Experts fail to agree on the origin of the word. However, various romantics propose that the name 'rum' is derived from the rumbullion, rumpus and rumbustion that were essential parts of the drinking experience.