Jamaican Rum

The Caribbean island of Jamaica is one of the most famous rum-producing countries in the world. The history of Jamaican rum goes back to the 17th century, when the island was colonized by Great Britain and plantation owners used enslaved workers to make huge profits. Following the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, the Jamaican rum industry declined. This picked up again after Prohibition, when people wanted to try something new in their cocktails. The oldest sugar plantation on the island is Appleton Estate, which was already in operation in the 1600s and has been producing rum continuously since 1749. Other renowned Jamaican rum distillers include the Hampden Estate and Long Pond, both founded in 1753, as well as the newer Clarendon distillery, which was built in 1949 and produces the popular Monymusk brand.