Devon and Rum

Southern England and the Rum craze

Recently I've relocated back to my roots in South Devon. Apart from its bustling coastal scene and incredible Mediterranean like weather most summers I've come to really notice the craze for good rum here.

Long gone are the days where the fisherman's local pub only serves well known brands like Bacardi and Wood's... I've found inspiration in local landlord's enthused by niche and more intriguing products.



Devon's history with Rum is steeped in tales of piracy, slaves and the fruit trade. A local town of mine was home to the Swetes family around 1737 that actually owned a sugar and rum plantation in Antigua. The family became so wealthy they  helped to install running water in the town of Modbury, a stones throw from my home town of Salcombe.



Whilst the slave trade boomed heavily in the British colonies the English were encouraged to invest in the Sugar trade and wealth seemingly blossomed. The current Bishop of Exeter's predecessors were heavily involved in the trade, but weather they knew they were investing directly into slavery is another matter altogether. Either way after the abolition of the slave trade in 1833 families like the Swetes were heavily compensated for their losses, with a reputed 20 billion being paid out to plantation owners after the act was passed. 

Its no surprise to me that Salcombe boasts substantial history surrounding the Rum trade. As a major hub for shipping fruit in the 19th Century, Salcombe saw vessels leave the estuary bound for the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Iberia and the Azores. With an influx of tropical fruit from far flung places it would be naive to think they wouldn't have had rum and sugar on board too.

I have great visions of local's sat harbour-side with flagons of home made scrumpy cider and bottles of strong rum watching the fishing vessels returning from days at sea... Not much has changed.

These days the Caribbean still holds a strong place in the hearts of the people here. For them it's home from home, with tropical sunshine and a fantastic 'laid back' to the point of being horizontal attitude, no wonder people flock there. What i love is what they bring back to this little town. Enthusiasm for the rum culture, knowledge and of course the rum it's self.
Let's talk about some of the Rum's people are going crazy for in the South West

If this isn't heaven in a bottle i don't know what is!
This lovely tipple is made from single column and double pot distilled rum, with a higher proportion of the double pot distillates than the rest. It's best feature is that it's married in heavily charred bourbon barrels before being bottled.
The best thing about this rum is its all about the maturation, rather than an age statement. Essentially it's ready when its ready!
I also love that Mount Gay is one of the only plantations to still grow its own sugar cane specifically for it's own rum.



This little beauty comes all the way from Jamacia's Vale of Llividas. The Worthy Park Estate has been a working sugar estate since 1720 and all it's rum is produced from Molasses and double distilled in Forsyth's copper pot stills. It boasts a jammy, punchy, sweet bread and apricot jam bonanza!

I think this Rum is made for a Treacle Cocktail, a good rum Old Fashioned with a splash of apple juice.






This incredible rum from Antigua is a blend of rums from 10-25yo that are then finished in charred bourbon barrels. I love this for its big smokey character, it's floral yet bold with big Demerara and espresso notes.

It's dark, chewey and amazing! Made for sipping don't ruin this bad boy with anything!





Head to MASTER OF MALT where you can purchase all these lovely products!
Follow me on Instagram & Twitter @bellanewman1 
References
http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/articles/2007/02/28/abolition_devon_wealth_feature.shtml

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