What is Rum? Science, History, Alchemy, and Tasting 13 Bottles | How to Drink

Diving into the history of rum, but more importantly, the flavor.
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In this episode of How to Drink I'm talking a bit about the history of rum, a bit about the science of rum, a bit about alchemy, but mostly I'm tasting 13 bottles that I think are representative of the base types of rum you need to know to start understanding the stuff.
Many of the spirits I use on the show can be found her:
bit.ly/H2D-Spirits-Rum
I'm aided by two books in this journey into inebriation:
And a Bottle of Rum by Wayne Curtis:
amzn.to/2MMmiGd
Smuggler's Cove by Martin Cate:
amzn.to/2ZAZhMu
Set of Glencarins:
amzn.to/2NMwY7L
Most of the tools and gear I use on the show can be found on my gear page at: amzn.to/2LeQCbW BUT, here's a couple of links that everyone is almost always asking me about:
Koriko Weighted Shaker Tins: amzn.to/2MvyOWs
Koriko Hawthorne Strainer: amzn.to/2IAZrHr
Leopold Jigger: amzn.to/2KsBu6B
Imbibe! By David Wondrich: amzn.to/2Kv1dLN
Liquid Intelligence by Dave Arnold: amzn.to/2N885jP
Slowly but surely, I'm starting a mailing list so that I'm not fully dependent on YT's algorithmized notifications system. If you'll sign up, I promise not to abuse your generosity, or sell your info to anyone. It's over on the blog right here:
bit.ly/H2DBlog
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twitter: bit.ly/H2DTwit
instagram: bit.ly/H2dIG
Blog: bit.ly/H2DBlog
Patreon: bit.ly/H2DPatreon
Gear: amzn.to/2LeQCbW
***********************************
Music by Glen Crytzer: bit.ly/2KjujSg
***********************************
Incredibly Awesome Patrons who make this show possible!
Shelby Benton
Dennis Groome
Rob L
Rosemary H. Andrus
Rob Hayward
Ryan Wolfe
Anthony Elias
Trip Brennan
Per Keckman Persson
Aditya Choksi
Rachel Keys
Whiskey Tribe
James Richards
Sara Caudill
Thomas D Choate
William Madrid
Tetas Duras
Erik Språng
Uri Sacharow
Sean F.
Nicholas Tsotakos
Directed by: Greg
Edited by: Rachel Ambelang & Greg
Produced by: Meredith Engstrom & Stefano Pennisi & Greg
Cinematography by: Bernard Hunt
Created by: Greg

[@howtodrink]

Thanks for watching all of that! I hope you enjoyed, here's the links you need! Spirits from the show found here: drink.curiada.com/ Smugglers Cove: amzn.to/2ZAZhMu And a Bottle of Rum: amzn.to/2MMmiGd Set of Glencarins: amzn.to/2NMwY7L The gear I use: amzn.to/2LeQCbW Twitter: bit.ly/H2DTwit Instagram: bit.ly/H2dIG Patreon: bit.ly/H2DPatreon

[@angelwhispers2060]

Maybe you should do a documentary where you interview the people that wrote those books. I'd pay 3.99 to stream that.

[@codymccain9051]

Your Patreon Discord isnt working.

[@ulyssescale]

Drinking some 114pf rum right out of the bottle?

[@k.ebartlett1830]

I absolutely love the spirit in this, comrade. "And that's why we cut their fucking heads off"

[@Ungabunga_man]

Dude you went from Seiko skx to Rolex sub? That KZbin money must be good

[@Failedprodegy42]

I love rum because it mixes with everything. You got some fruit juice? Put some rum in it. Got some cola? Put some rum in it. You got a Slurpy? Put some rum in it. You got some rum? Put some rum in it!

[@shortandslanted]

Rum was my booze baby juice. I. E. when I first started drinking, it was my go-to hard liquor. I've moved on to tequila these days but rum still has a warm happy place on the shelf.

[@skyllalafey]

So much this. Rum plays nice with damn near everything.

[@sethmcguffee]

Yes! Rum and coke is my go-to right now.

[@LrdRvrnd]

I was a pirate for a few summers woke every morning with sand in my shorts and a half full bottle of rum cradled in my arm wake up look at it and drink lols

[@JakobKaine_BrickJAK]

@@shortandslanted Same, I went to high school in Queensland, Australia. Bundaberg rum was my first step in hard booze (besides the sweet sap moonshine we make in Michigan). It broke my heart when Diageo bought them out in 2000.

[@galamonkey]

1st rum tasting: "floral, sugary nose to it" 1000th rum tasting, 40 mins in: "thats the good shit"

[@howtodrink]

Accurate.

[@mrgame4]

@@howtodrink did you enjoy it?

[@evanscot.t]

You are watching him slowly get drunk

[@MaximGhost]

"This is a kids show ... obviously"

[@y.t.d.7912]

@@howtodrink I really would like you to try to combine the 4 drinks of Divide them into quarters, A quarter of Whiskey A quarter of Bourbon A quarter of Scotch And A quarter of Rum Mix them all Together I can't find a video on it anywhere combining the drinks

[@i-am-goose8428]

Him: “This smells like butterscotch and toasted sugar.” Me: “Hmm yes the rum is made of rum.”

[@ohiostin]

@Anthony Petro the jury is still out on if people that enjoy the taste of alcohol have trustworthy taste buds.

[@TGPDrunknHick]

@@ohiostin always found it hilarious when people say it's an aquired taste for things. like this is expensive. why spend so much to aquire a taste for it, if I can just get something I already like cheaper.

[@Jacob-ABCXYZ]

@@TGPDrunknHick username does not check out lol

[@accelerator8929]

@@TGPDrunknHick You know that bars exist, yeah? You don't have to go out and buy the spirits. Just order a glass at a local pub if you wanna solve that riddle.

[@TGPDrunknHick]

@@accelerator8929 you... didn't read my comment clearly did you? I literally said why spend money to aquire a taste for something you don't already like when you can just get something you know you like already. It's a comment on people saying "well you'll start liking it if you drink it enough." If I don't like it now why bother going through the expense of something like that to start liking it, if I already enjoy something that is cheaper.

[@NastierNate]

“Not useless, not garbage, just made different.” I’ve never felt more comaraderie with a spirit.

[@TheIconicHat]

The question isn't: "What is Rum?" it's "Why is the Rum gone?"

[@nodeloliver6201]

Dammit, I just commented that. You win the internet, you clever bastard.

[@taylortait1]

@TheReverend_808 that's what I was just thinking lol

[@horstboellinger6880]

it's by far to many tasty nots.

[@falsehero2001]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I WANTED TO POST THAT!

[@nodeloliver6201]

@TheReverend_808 what do you want me to answer, Jesus Christ?

[@redtexan7053]

“We’ll talk about spiced rum and why you should never buy it...ever.” But it’s got a big squid on it...

[@KilerkRazorclaw]

You want a rum thats got a aquid on it that will kick you in the face? Go grab a bottle of Kraken. On of my friends, (firefigther, 6'6" can put down a 2/3rd a fifth of whiskey at 40% ABV) had a glass, next morning he told me he's never having that again cause thats pure satan in liquid form. Tastes great, messes you up royal.

[@redtexan7053]

DJ .Colt Yes that’s exactly the rum I was talking about...thought I was pretty obvious about it.

[@conorfoster2337]

It's delicious fuck you

[@ultimatefunktimegroovystan7885]

@@KilerkRazorclaw Kraken is great with egg nog. 47%

[@mtrossi4192]

@@conorfoster2337 I don't drink a lot, but it is delicious

[@Reddotzebra]

"What is rum?" **Sets down 13 bottles** "I'm glad you asked!"

[@Sealgills]

I love how he can pick out all of these delicate, nuanced flavors in these rums, when I know all I’d be able to taste is rubbing alcohol, gasoline, and burning.

[@tbad-od2fb]

@authorization batmanthe fuck?!

[@ozymandias3456]

Just keep trying if you want to get into drinking straight spirits like this. Most people don't immediately enjoy spirits and get their complexities. One your palate will develop over time, there are people who would have never thought to drink spirits straight as a 25 year old but by time they're 40 they love whiskey, rum, brandy, whatever. Trying to drink something occasionally will further up the process as you can train your brain to like things and pick out complexities. Another way to help is by drinking spirits wuth mixers amd lowering the mixer occasionally. You could drink whiskey highballs and keep cutting out some soda until its mostly whiskey and that might help with learning. You can also do that with any cocktail or highball but that was just an example

[@johnbenesh9663]

@authorization batman the fuck you trying to prove dude? Drinking isn't about being a snob, it's about friendship and camaraderie and socializing. You just managed to kill every single one of those things

[@zachohmie1262]

You just have to start slow. I became obsessed with whiskey because I decided to try it on the rocks one day. I loved it but it soon became boring so I started drinking 80 proof (lowest legal proof for whiskey) scotch neat. Now I'm able to sip and enjoy 130 proof bourbon neat. Neat is the only way i drink whiskey now unless I'm adding just a few drops of water to bring out differen flavors. This isn't something you can just jump into and expect to enjoy.

[@martijnnvermeulen7515]

@@johnbenesh9663 so you aren't supposed to drink alone in the dark?

[@ash-tv3bu]

when i drink rum straight from the bottle i need to go back to therapy, but when greg does it he gets 9.8k likes

[@dominiquethenosyreader2686]

Right we must be doing something wrong

[@aidanfordsword6954]

Now 21k likes

[@aidanfordsword6954]

@@dominiquethenosyreader2686 all we need to do is to have a KZbin channel with over 1 million subs

[@yaboi-km2qn]

My name is Greg too does this apply to me? (I’ll probably do it anyway)

[@cathya7045]

Or in my case you're in the Dominican republic if your uncle pissed drunk and he's pretty drunk as well

[@jake2879]

I really like this guy as a host, just so natural and charismatic

[@johnsnow9210]

Like a really cool regular type dude.

[@Naanofurbusiness]

Me too!

[@Brantlins]

Slurp

[@CrisSwag]

Old monk

[@drax14QC]

I really like your account picture

[@JJ_-fp9sj]

In one of these tasting heavy episodes, I can confidently say the tasting notes you speak and the ones that appear on screen are such a part of the experience of this channel, and help me connect with these spirits and drinks on such a way even if I've never had them before. Truly wonderful content you produce Gregg. All the love from Colombia

[@bradleylovej]

Same. I don't even drink and I love listening to him describe how they taste. It's fun. Like you're discovering something with the host

[@StoicK609]

“Boorfrwhalsdfjiefdafv.............and that’s why we cut off their heads” Content to die for 🤣🤣🤣💀💀

[@kennynoble1223]

"Tomorrow I might feel different" Well, that's ONE way to describe a hangover.

[@andrewsiegel2950]

For some of the best descriptions of The Hangover Consult Kingsley Amis... In his book 'Everyday Drinking' he also mentions other literary expeditions that have ventured into this realm. One of the most humorous is... The famous short story 'The Metamorphosis' According to Mr Amis, is a perfectly Well-drawn illustration of the psychological experience of a hangover.

[@cooperbrain]

@@andrewsiegel2950 sauce?

[@cleverusername9369]

Me: sees 38:23, "do I have 40 minutes to blow?" Greg: "Today I'm gonna taste literally all of these rums!" Me: makes popcorn.

[@dominiquethenosyreader2686]

Right and watch him get drunk for us

[@josephclark6095]

Host: What is rum? Elizabeth: lt is a vile drink that turns even the most respectable men into complete scoundrels.

[@infidelheretic923]

That’s any distilled alcohol really.

[@hidude9919]

can confirm

[@horacioaguilera3478]

....but WHY is the rum gone??

[@emperorconstantine1.361]

@@horacioaguilera3478give it an hour, maybe two, and you shall see white sails on the horizon.

[@jakeagledaeagle]

@@emperorconstantine1.361 *Later, sees white Sails on the horizon* There will be know living for her after this

[@w00ty32]

8:30 "we could go on, but then this would be a feature length documentary and we don't want that" I want that.

[@escabeche6436]

4:33 I'd like to point out that aqua vitae and aqua regia are wildly different substances. The first was basically a wine distillate with a high alcohol concentration, while the second was a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids and was a powerful solvent able to dissolve metals like platinum and gold. It was dubbed the "regal water" because it was one of the few substances capable of of dissolving noble metals.

[@howtodrink]

This is true- Don't drink that solvent

[@MortRotu]

The fact that it kicks out alot of brown noxious gas when first made should really be a good warning sign for that

[@probablynotdad6553]

@@howtodrink but it tastes good.

[@cooksey826]

I can honestly tell you that Aqua Regia does not taste very good. Nor does it feel good on your face and skin. Lol

[@MortRotu]

@@cooksey826 I shall trust you on that one, neither of its constituents taste good and I can't imagine that blending improves that.... Especially not as it'll dissolve your fillings as you drink it...

[@mattherbers]

My mind is blown. The idea of "taste" being separate to the tingly-burny sensation caused by our bodies rejecting alcohol as if it's poison.... Damn. The world just changed forever....

[@marcfisk7730]

What is this alcohol rejecting feeling you talk of?

[@Atzy]

I like how it burns

[@Ugrasrava]

That burn isn't your body rejecting alcohol, it's the alcohol sucking water out of the cells in your mouth and throat. Alcohol is hygroscopic, it strongly attracts water, and our nerves perceive that rapid dehydration as a burning feeling.

[@ApertureSCAEC2]

@@Ugrasrava to add to what you said, isn't vomiting the actual thing that signifies your body rejecting the alcohol?

[@Ugrasrava]

@@ApertureSCAEC2 Yes, when you start vomiting that is your body telling you that you have consumed a potentially dangerous amount of alcohol and need to stop immediately.

[@chasemishio1781]

"And that's why we cut off their fuckin' heads! It was great" Top notch! You have my sub

[@SparkySatyr]

Not going to lie, I just turned 21 two days ago, but I started watching a while ago. I went to the liquor section and saw spiced rum and immediately remembered this video and the other one saying no spiced rum. Got me a nice bottle of Plantation 5 year, and was very happy with it!

[@crims4938]

buy me some

[@thebarrelage]

You made the world better with that one move!!

[@Trevbro1991]

In the next episode: whiskey How to Drink and talk about our childhood traumas.

[@druggernautthedruggernaut9515]

Lol bruh

[@sadkermit78]

He did Irish Whiskey and Scotch

[@dreamingwolf8382]

TrevRev Sign me up!

[@ObiTrev]

In the next episode: vodka How to Drink and talk about Mother Russia.

[@dreamingwolf8382]

ObiTrev Wherein everything tastes like nothing, and yet, exactly like each other ... RIP Gregg’s Liver

[@MortRotu]

Would you be willing to do one of these for Gins, Whisky's, bourbons, vodka's etc etc etc? Turn it into a series? This is an awesome video, thank you.

[@matts.6234]

I'd be interested in seeing a moonshine episode. Great book about moonshine is mountain spirits by joe dabney, talks about the history of it in Ireland and the migration to the US, as well as many recipes lost to time.

[@newtubebooblover]

MortRotu I’d love to see one explaining scotch and the different styles.

[@ohdrey89]

Obviously those green grassy, vegetal notes make sense considering that sugar cane is a variety of grass. And it is fascinating that the smells of fresh cut grass is fused into the rum when it is distilled

[@rpgllama3036]

I would personally love to watch a series of feature length documentaries about different alcoholic beverages with Greg as its host.

[@GoldenManta]

"That's good shit. Ummm, that's good stuff. This is a kids show, obviously" LMAOOOOO

[@Ashfielder]

What is rum? Baby don’t hurt me, don’t hurt me no more.

[@howtodrink]

I COULD NOT stop saying that on set- none of it made the cut

[@cactusmann5542]

I dont know ,youre not there... i give you my glass but you dont share..

[@ciarfah]

cactuS Mann What is right, what is rum, give me a drink (I'm bad at this)

[@AJDeLaRosa]

That's the first thing I thought of and was disappointed there wasn't a single reference in the episode.

[@KnightsaysNi]

@@howtodrink Your editor is a thief of joy, that would have been hilarious.

[@emperorconstantine1.361]

I want that full length rum documentary!

[@theeddorian]

Having been involved in more than my share of araq consumption in Israel, araq is distilled from fermented date mash. It is flavored with anis, and typically, you drink it over ice with water added. The water gives it a milky cast. And you drink it by the shot. Some might find it similar to ouzo. In the Levant you can find it under several related names such as raki and araki.

[@SemberUno]

I want to watch this but i need to get to ABC before everyone buys all the rum. This storm sucks. Stay safe FL peeps.

[@boarderking133]

Good idea!

[@dreamingwolf8382]

Sember Uno Florida is in our prayers. Not our thoughts- because that’s cliche

[@vexbomer]

Stay safe! Hope this one isn't bad

[@kingstonian1345]

I was living in Florida during hurricane Irma. My bottle of wray and nephew kept me safe during the storm and after! Hope this one doesn't hit too hard. Be safe!

[@SemberUno]

@@vexbomer If it gets too bad ill take shelter in the I-4 eyesore.

[@amstrad00]

I'm glad you at least lightly touched on the significance of Rum of in sparking the American Revolution. I didn't get that info myself until I took a college level US History class.

[@sophietubbin2362]

I just want to thank you for your acknowledgement of our eurocentric knowledge of spirits & how it may not always be accurate !!! as a big inclusive history gal, a spirit video is not where i’d expect some cool history, but i love it !! thank you !!

[@adamlebner8429]

I have now officially watched every HTD vid. Love it all. Keep up the great work!

[@corwin32]

I would bet a large amount of money that anywhere humans had starches, they learned how to ferment SOMETHING

[@johnbryan1862]

Yeah, but learning to distill it is a big step up.

[@nickentros]

I used to be a real whisky man, mostly bourbon, but I went to St. Lucia for my Honeymoon, and just drank all the rums that week. Its been 2.5 years since then and I’m still on my rum kick

[@dreamingwolf8382]

Nick Kentros Stop cheating on Whiskey! Lol

[@pkdiddy]

Dominican Republic opened up my eyes (and mouth) to rum. Ever since it's rum first, bourbon second.

[@cthulutech4697]

Rum is best really.

[@popdartan7986]

And hopefully still married, right? ;)

[@williamcosby3081]

please do more of these!! this is amazing and so fun! (totally buying the smuggler's cove book too) !

[@dominicgerman5908]

I think this is my favorite episode of How to Drink although that’s a close race. Greg is clearly a fellow rum aficionado and it shows in this ep without a doubt.

[@peshgirl]

I could easily be a $20 backer level on a kick started rum documentary...

[@healinggrounds19]

I want traveling to Jamaica and V.I. done.

[@DarkWolfe416]

I’d definitely jump in on that with some big dollars.

[@jessicakavin4178]

I know I'm late, but I need to ask: did drinking rum straight from the bottle make you feel like a pirate? Even just a little? :)

[@quentins5692]

@JosiexJosie did the same with a bottle of Bacoo 8yr, walked just fine on the boat, but the second thing to hit land was my face, shortly following my left foot.

[@benderbendingrodriguez6280]

Made me feel like puking when I did it

[@jossebrodeur6033]

Fun fact, Pirates didn't drink straight Rum. A majority would drink Grog, which is run mixed with water. It also was usually pretty old rum.

[@hippyjoe]

@@jossebrodeur6033 More like stagnant barrel water from 6 months ago with a few drops of rum and a whole lemon

[@jossebrodeur6033]

@@hippyjoe The lemon is probably a stretch. Think they were using limes by that point, which didn't help with scurvy but they thought they did.

[@stereodreamer23]

It's ironic that Lemon Hart is a "French Style" rum, because it's named for Lehman (“Lemon”) Hart, a 3rd generation rum importer from Penzance, Cornwall, England. It's perhaps one of the MOST "English" rums on the market, at least in terms of history. It was also the first rum to receive an appointment from the Admiralty as "Official English Navy Ration Rum"...

[@tevitateulilo7573]

I’ve never drunken alcohol before but this guys videos are so interesting to watch. How he makes his videos, and his personality are so interesting keep up the good work

[@PhloodGate]

New game, take a shot of rum everytime Greg says funk. If you're alive at the end, you win!

[@electrichanoi7244]

Ok I’m going this now!

[@dynamicworlds1]

4 days late we have yet to hear back from Jack

[@kiltandcocktail5776]

@@dynamicworlds1 poor jack guess he's is the reason the rum is gone

[@gonecoastal4]

I died!

[@erindudemanperson]

YES, a whole series of these would be awesome. Especially the lesser-known liquors. Thanks!

[@ofacefan]

between the comical tasting notes and the music escalating with the inebriation this was very entertaining. I find myself more drawn to the Rum rabbit hole than most other spirits, so much diversity and all of it can be used to make amazing and complex tiki drinks. Even the same specs with swapping out spirits of various origins and styles creates an entirely different experience.

[@ino2055]

It was so much fun to have your company while having my first bottle of Montilla - Carta Gold Rum, loved every moment of it, thank you s2 a new subscriber has arrived!

[@gr9g]

An entire episode on my favourite drink? Couldn't have asked for anything better. Aside from a bottle of rum of course

[@steelydanrules]

It's great to watch someone educate, entertain, and relate to the audience. All while the audience watches him go from sober to tipsy by the end of the video and how his commentary transforms

[@kevinclick9026]

This is my favorite episode. I always say, (when applicable)- "Freshly mown lawn notes". But Cut Grass Nose is now my new band's name. Thanks. I love you

[@drakedaigle4144]

Chic choc spiced rum is totally worth a try! Loved the video by the way! Always entertaining and easy viewing.

[@dantheman9568]

Great to see this video on KZbin. I collect Rums from across the Caribbean. A couple notes though. It was a bit hard to compare the Appleton 12 to the El Dorado 8. A better comparison, imo, would have been with the El Dorado 15. (I find the El Dorado 12 to be a bit too sweet). I agree with your take on the Angostura (I am from Trinidad & Tobago). I could never quite put my finger on the after taste until you called out pepper. Some that you should definitely try (although politics might get in the way). The Havana Club Seleccion de Maestros. The Santiago de Cuba 11 OR 12. (From Cuba, obviously) . The Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva (from Venezuela). Along with the El Dorado 15, those are my 3 (4) favorites. For a smooth, tasty, and inexpensive White Rum, try the Black Cat from Suriname. Sorry that I have so much to say, but it was genuinely great to see someone touch on a passion of mine.

[@sinisterling]

not the Angostura 1824 or 1787? I'm from Trinidad as well.

[@acerking76]

I would suggest getting ron Barcelo imperial (regular as wel as onyx) or any other Barcelo rum, i would also suggest Bermudez rums. Both Dominican rums.

[@Eonymia]

The diplomatico is really nice. Second that.

[@jg5733]

side point, but I love the price of quality rum. stupid value. Ive got to defend my el dorado 12, but specifically for this purpose, the $40 price point vs its whiskey equivalent in air quotes. You already know im all about the Zacapa 23 lol

[@DrifterXiii-0]

I'm not very experienced when it comes to my drinks I like what I like and usual stick with it. I may try something new if I'm in a good mood and I like the rums I have tried only they are all spiced. I haven't finished the vid as I'm typing this mainly cause I was curious to see what people say and I found this comment rather interesting and hope to try some of the runs you have mentioned.

[@idleivey]

13 rums, I'm thinking how long before Greg gets completely trashed? The answer is right around the 30min mark. Stay hydrated hommie.

[@fishflake1209]

At 29 minutes, he started drinking straight from the bottle. Good call.

[@bungiecoocoo]

Noticeable change begins at 22. It’s beginning to take hold.

[@MaryamaFarah]

I think he was feeling it by 27

[@sterlingherrera1792]

Thought you might be interested to know that the “sugar mash”/“sugar wine” you mentioned is actually an ancient cultural drink in certain regions. A great example is a traditional alcohol in the Philippines called basi. Basi is essentially a filtered fermented drink made from sugar. Something else the Philippines has is a true coconut liquor called lambanog, that is liquor made from coconut sap. Another note is that mezcal and tequila were created when Filipino slaves brought to Mexico as shipbuilders taught Mexicans how to distill their pulque drinks. Distillation is ancient in the Philippines but hadn’t developed in Mexico until Filipinos brought the technology. In fact the precursor drink to lambanog, called tuba in Tagalog, is also drank today in Mexico because of Filipino migrants.

[@sauronsrighthandman301]

So glad this channel and this particular video exists. You have no idea how fun it is to have your players in a DnD campaign invest a merchant, only to have that same merchant create a trade empire around Sugar and imports in addition to churning out molasses, refined sugar, and, of course, Rum.

[@poppybranton458]

This video is the best argument for Smell-O-Vision that I've ever seen. Respect for the scholarship behind this one: the history you're introducing is in many ways part of the "firmware" of our culture, for better *and* for worse. I've tried and enjoyed spirits from many parts of the world, but I keep coming back to rum because....well because it's rum, dang it! Cheers!

[@mikeburton8426]

No sports on TV so I ramp up my You Tube watching to “binge” and I discover you. You are a silly bastard! And I am now subscribed

[@FightToSurvive]

I just found this channel while sipping rum, I will definitely subscribe! Keep up the good work! 🥃

[@theSultanofSquares]

Any other chemists laughing at the idea of some alchemist giving their rich benefactor some "Aqua Regia" to drink? Hahaha

[@psatyapurohit]

Aqua Regia was known to cure Covid. Since ancient times.

[@Egilhelmson]

Aqua Regia was supposed to “cure” everything by dissolving you completely, like your glass. It was the “Universal Solvent” in alchemy.

[@nopenoname7944]

just commented on that and thought to look if anyone else had XD

[@unclebrat]

I happened to be drinking a tot of rum when I heard that and almost choked. I don't think he knows what aqua regia really is.

[@dorigutman6217]

@@unclebrat - he must have been thinking aqua vitae 🙂

[@sam11443]

The black rum is indeed black because of added coloring. But not necessarily to simulate age. The addition of molasses to color a rum can really add a dimension, especially in certain cocktails.

[@Dan_f9]

"so long as the drink you like is in the glass you did it right" ... unless that drink is spiced rum? Gotta tell ya. You broke my wee heart

[@scaper8]

Not all the way through the video yet, so this may come up; but my understanding is that for most serious rum aficionados, spiced rum is very good. Just don't ever _buy,_ make it. Infuse the desired spices into the desired rum for a week or so. Kind of like the best lemoncellos are the one's you make at home. At least, I hope that's true (and he talks about it), as I find the combination of run and spices to be heavenly myself. EDIT TO ADD: He did address it. I do have to disagree that the spices should be more added to the cocktail thsn the rum. But I have been known to sip my spiced rums, so I may be biased there.

[@Dan_f9]

I agree, if you want the full control then making your own seems easy enough to do, and theoretically us much more satisfying. However the way he addressed it made me laugh. I fell in love with rum through captain Morgans spiced and then old J spiced (which is still my favourite) and I personally would never tell anyone to not buy spiced. I get what he was saying, but for beginners I think spiced rums are the most friendly and should definitely be advised. I was just having a laugh and absolutely love this channel, and wanted to have a bit of banter 😊

[@jas9friend]

Especially us navy guys who adopted sailor jerry as OUR unofficial DRINK.

[@probablynotdad6553]

@@Dan_f9 At that point why buy the rum, just learn to distill your own.

[@mike_maple]

Quite agree, spiced rum is very accessible, a good introduction to the spirit, and although you can use allspice drams and cinnamon syrups, in reality, who's got the storage space or the spare cash to keep all these bottles that you may only use once in a blue moon (or spice your own rum). I take his point, but it does feel a little snobby - if you enjoy it, then buy it.

[@sirdaveysockrocker]

My go-to drink was a rum & coke, but I didnt know anything about the different kinds so I just bought Bacardi gold. Then after seeing this wonderfully informative video, I now regularly stock my new bar with Plantation 3 star, Plantation 5 year, and Smith + Cross and make all kinds of cocktails. Thank you, How to Drink!

[@eurogryphon]

I had a chance to go to the Cruzan run distillery in St. Croix one year. The tour is absolutely fantastic, the staff was readily able to answer my nerdy questions (and some questions from the non-nerds who showed up plastered), and I was able to try several drinks and rums after the tour (including the aged and flavored rums). I can't recommend the tour enough!

[@griffian4454]

How to drink crossover with Townsend's when!? We need more nutmeg talk.

[@howtodrink]

We’re discussing it!

[@fabrisseterbrugghe8567]

Really? That's thrilling!

[@StevieD1]

Plus one on a Townsend's Co-episode

[@legion2k988]

Speaking of rum.. There is a bacteria that was found in an old rum factory called Spinosad.. It's a very good larvicide that's never been found anyplace else ever again. One time in one place, one guy found it while on vacation. lol It's a crazy world.

[@vinsueringamer2388]

legion2k cool, has there been an attempt to replicate it? has there been any scientific studies to see what are the effects of this bacteria?

[@legion2k988]

@@vinsueringamer2388 Yes, they culture it now. It's found in many products used for insect control. So, it only affects the larva stage of life. So caterpillars that eat your flowers and stuff like that. Has no affects on humans and technically 'organic'. BUT!! Not the best thing for fish so you do want to keep it out of your water supply or water ways.

[@vinsueringamer2388]

@@legion2k988 that's very interesting, thank you for the information kind stranger, have a good day

[@yubebarca]

So interesting, do you happen to know where/which factory?

[@legion2k988]

@@yubebarca I believe it was some place in the Bahamas. Where a lot of rum is made. :) Found something about it. "In 1982, researchers vacationing in the Virgin Islands discovered the actinomycete bacteria, Saccharopolyspora spinosa, in soil collected at an inoperative sugar mill rum still (Mertz and Yao 1990, Thompson et al. 2000)."

[@LovingShadow]

My grandmother has an old Brown Rum called Ron Vicaro Superior. It’s great, but I can’t even find it online anymore to order more. So I pretty much never use it for cocktails. It just sits and looks nice

[@Chris-wp3ew]

My wife and I were in Jamaica a few years back and some of the locals recommended that Ray and Nephew overproof rum... Sooo, we bought a couple bottles to bring home. You must have a totally different pallet. That stuff is undrinkable lighter fluid! We gave it all to our son (late 20's then) and even he (nor his friends) could drink it. More power to ya! Keep up the videos... Very enjoyable.

[@arachnonixon]

goodwill is awesome for acquiring drinklery. yrs ago I got a set of handspun antique glass brandy snifters for .25c each

[@hunterstephens3671]

Me and the Fiance got a full set ( 4 ea. champagne glasses, wine galsses, goblets, ect) for 10 dollars at Goodwill. We have half out nice kitchenware tween there and garage sales.

[@anthonyp3113]

40 minutes of Greg? My body is oh so ready.

[@electrichanoi7244]

Ouo uwu woah

[@acevfx2923]

I was taking a quick scroll into the comments, and it wasn't until this comment that it hit me that this video is 40 minutes long. I was already 3/4 of the way through the video. If time flies by that quickly you know you've got some quality content going.

[@gregoryo5183]

get your body ready for 40 minutes of this greg, bro ;)

[@surfsidetulsa]

Good stuff in this episode. I just subscribed a week or so ago, and I'm wondering how exactly you went about developing your pallet. I would love to see you do a video, if you haven't already, on how to grew and developed your taste buds!

[@hjdhbcfjjb]

Wow, as a rum connoisseur I've got to say that I'm very impressed by your selections. Thank you for not steering people into sugared and flavored fluff with pirates on the label.

[@ReadySetRum]

Agreed. I never thought of making my own spiced rum though. That's a great idea

[@MrWhangdoodles]

You can clearly tell he's getting wasted.

[@Brantlins]

Joonha Shcal that’s the idea

[@chaz2985]

No shit mate, he is drinking spirits.

[@cooperbrain]

@@chaz2985 you don't only drink spirits just to get drunk.

[@84MadHatter]

yup so much so he forgets to drink the last rum in the glass

[@yaknophonics]

When he said, "This $#!+ is bananas."

[@brianhunt6943]

29:47 the exact moment when it went from tasting to drinking! Love the episode. Lots of great butterscotch and banana notes for my future tasting!

[@EntinludeX]

Sir, I applaud you on this difficult, nuanced, & complicated historical breakdown. Very educational.

[@tylerchristian3557]

Plantation 5 year is my absolute favorite liquor. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SP33DDY7]

Youre a great teacher Greg! It really feels like Im having the experience of sitting at a bar watching your videos. Keep it up!

[@j.j.h.atemycereal]

151: For when you want to know how comfortable your neighbor's front yard is to sleep on.

[@laughingsnake1989]

J.J. H na that’s everclear

[@morrigankasa570]

Me I can drink a good amount of 151 at room temperature before I get buzzed about 150-200 ml

[@mikehikes710]

@@laughingsnake1989 everclear is just burning death in a bottle

[@laughingsnake1989]

Mike Rycc yea first time I ever got drunk I bought a bottle of ever clear woke up in the back of a truck naked and a stop signs next to me

[@moretromain]

I don’t know why and how but I end up there 3y after…but boy this is a pretty good and well documented explanation! Learned a lot about rum, from someone who really cares about it, and can shoot a video to share just that…boy I miss 2019, everything was so easier 😂

[@yesno1550]

I am not of age but I still binge these all the time... the stories are interesting but more importantly the slow-mo pours are sooo satisfying!

[@angelwhispers2060]

If nothing else you will be well-educated when you do go to the bar for the first time and at least know some Basics before asking for your first drinks. If you're interested you should check out the Modern Rogue youtube channel episode on shrubs and Cocktails. There's a Big Trend right now of making simulated cocktails by first making these infused syrups with a little bit of vinegar in them called a shrub. These serfs are been generally added to seltzer or tonic depending on which one you make you might be perfectly fine substituting a Sprite or mild ginger ale.

[@wildebeardreviews3806]

I would absolutely support a Kickstarter for you to do a Feature film/documentary on cocktail/spirits history.

[@neomcdoom]

As long as he talked about movies as well

[@angelwhispers2060]

Maybe a documentary series starting with the history of rum!!! I can find a way to go in at least the $5 per month level on that one. Provided I got a digital download of each new documentary when it came out. I wouldn't even care if it didn't come with the commentary. At $5 level. That would be a benefit for people who can afford to put in more Cuz everyone knows we want a playback reaction of him watching what made it into the documentary so that he can tell all the stories that didn't make it in.

[@markbryant4954]

Growing up next to the Gulf of Mexico, I have experienced several kinds of rum. However, this episode taught me more about rum than all my years of tastings. Thanks.

[@AndrewLust]

I have to correct you on something, Black Rum isn't "Artificially" colored the color comes from the Dunder that was added to the rum post distillation, that is also where the sweetness comes from. Dunder is what is leftover in the boiler after distillation. It is added to Dark Rum to give its color and sweetness, and in to new batchs of Rum pre-fermentation to give the Rum more character and Funk.

[@charlesiv3984]

2+ year old comment I know, but this incorrect

[@Darkninja282]

As an anthropology major focusing in archaeology and history minor I greatly appreciate the history. Chinese distilling is interesting especially regarding rice, from what I can gather it wasn’t as in favor as say plum wine. Because well plum wine is really good lol and let me say as someone who has been on an archaeology dig in the Middle East, arak is good. We drink a lot when I was in Israel for a month. Vodka, Gin and Arak was all very popular to have.

[@catalinacojocaru4116]

wow, never been this early. haven't watched it to the end but i'm willing to bet he's gonna be very...jazzy by the end of it

[@howtodrink]

Gets jazzy

[@dreamingwolf8382]

Cătălina Cojocaru Jazzy Gregg is the best Gregg

[@scotthalligan5702]

I’m really glad to see you covered rum, and you have some of my favorite bottles! If you ever have time I’d love to nerd out over Jamaican rum with you, and I’d love to mail you some samples of a couple Clairin’s I have here!!!

[@oliverfasola19]

I’ve watched this video several times over; so informative

[@DarkRiddle13]

Would love to see an episode about how to make different types of spiced rum yourself! This was really an awesome episode! :)

[@JuggernautKitty]

Thank you so much for a longer and more talkative video. While I enjoy the drinks you make,I subscribed for you,Greg,and your bubbly and animated personality.

[@Ringgo733]

This is my favorite host for a bar that makes me feel at home 🏡 away from home 🏠. I like hearing about how the rum is made. I like to know which one is the best. When I was in my 20s my bible I drank was rum and coke , no lime.

[@janusperseus5354]

Ive watched bunch of your videos but this is what made me a subscriber 💖

[@TheCrustyCupcake]

Friend went to Jamaica and brought back 12 bottles of the Ray and Nephew 151. His favorite, and also for family gifts.

[@MagicianFairy]

"What is rum?" My brain- "baby, don't hurt me. No more." Wait..

[@m1k3y48]

That's about right for my experiences with rum.

[@electrichanoi7244]

M1k3y uuuh daddy don’t hurt me like that uwu

[@joelhicks5468]

Rum is my go-to: very excited to try some of these myself!

[@bayouradio]

My second viewing of this. First time was before I owned any rums aside from an old bottle of Bacardi's that stuck around in the back of a closet. This helped me add to the collection. Second viewing I tasted along with (some) of the rums. Learning a lot.

[@ReadySetRum]

I have rum reviews as well to help you add to your collection.

[@AlexandreLarochelle]

Oh man, if you can give us this kind of video on every major Spirit category that would be absolute gold.

[@WillyShufflebottom]

tl;dw: A delicious and healthy beverage that should be enjoyed daily.

[@aznelprod7548]

Hourly *

[@usagihunter101]

I come for the booze, I stay for the occasional outbursts of angry leftism.

[@howtodrink]

::nods enthusiastically::

[@xander1052]

How To Drink lol yes, I come for the everything

[@HawkOni]

Funny, I come for the booze and cringe at the outbursts of angry leftism.....

[@morgan5127]

@@HawkOni then leave boot boy

[@KoboldGamer]

I'm not sure if there was any angry leftism, however, there was definitely one point of white guilt, if that's what you mean. Either way I just shook my head and let the video continue because rum fascinates me along with mead.

[@riversuh2107]

The painting of the surf and the 2 parrots remind me of Fallout and I'm really interested in learning where you got it from. I really enjoyed this, in particular your own commentary on the history of run, and the way you survey the different rums. Definitely my preferred way of learning about spirits. Thanks for making this.

[@gearshiv]

"we'll talk about spiced rum and why you shouldn't buy it .. ever" Me. "Reeeeeeeeeeeee"

[@searat9814]

Me too

[@jasonruka1665]

Hahahaha..

[@watchm4ker]

To be fair, it's like a bottled cocktail. Sure, it's convenient, but if you have the skills to do your own infusions, you're better off doing it yourself.

[@insertname1667]

@Watch maker though I'm going to argue that the majority of us watching this do not have the skill, nor the time or want to actually gain such skill.

[@dudere]

Don't tell me my Kraken is wrong!

[@controlaltdelete3410]

Love your vids, and am glad you are not a bartender that usually are extremely strict and some absurd with the requisites. Regarding rum, one of my favorites since I am born, raised and currently a resident of the Caribbean, I would have also liked to see Spanish colonies Rum, which are my favorite, Cuba with Havana Club, DR with Barcelo, Brugal, ec.. and PR with Don Q, Barrilito, Caliche, etc.. I also like the French you mentioned, British are somehow to sweet.

[@alejandrocastillo5771]

Awesome video as always very entertaining "and that's why we chop of their heads" 😂😂 and educational, love that mix of those aspects.

[@blackbeard9545]

You can see the green tinge at around 17:10 !!!

[@AugustoVPhotography]

I'm pretty sure that this is the chromatic aberration of the lens actually. This often happens at a narrow depth of field when shooting with the lens aperture wide open