Aug. 13: Let's talk about rum

By Jeff Cheek

Bourbon whiskey is an American invention.

It takes its name from Bourbon County, Kentucky, where it was first distilled from corn. Rum is another liquor discovered in the Western Hemisphere. It was first distilled in the Caribbean on the former British colony of Barbados. Rum is made from molasses which is made from sugar cane. The name comes from the Latin word "saccharum" or sugar.

We associate whiskey with tough, no nonsense cowboys. When we think of rum, we think of picturesque pirates flying the Skull and Crossbones. The original pirate flag, called the Jolly Roger, was the creation of buccaneer Bartholomew Roberts. His flag was the first pirate emblem. On a red background, it showed Roberts and a skeleton toasting each other with a flagon of rum. Hence, the name Jolly Roger. When the Skull and Crossbones made its appearance, the old name was carried forward. Rum was cheap and plentiful in the Caribbean. It was the favorite beverage of these pirates.

Rum was the most profitable export from Caribbean colonies. After the Seven Years War, the British offered the French all of Canada, in exchange for the small island of Guadeloupe. The French refused. Guadeloupe and Martinique are still part of France. Their combined area of 1,100 square. miles were more valuable than all of Canada. The volcanic soil and plentiful rainfall produced abundant crops of sugar cane, which ended up as highly profitable kegs of rum.

Rum is also part of British Naval tradition. Admiral Edward Vernon was nicknamed "Old Grog" from the grogam coat he wore. (Grogam is a blend of silk and wool threads.) He gave his seamen a daily ration of half a cup of water and the same amount of rum. The sailor's called it "grog." It has been a British tradition for over two centuries. One of Vernon's junior officers was an American named Lawrence Washington. He named his Virginia plantation Mount Vernon after his commanding officer. Many years later, Mount Vernon was inherited by his younger half-brother, George Washington.

Rum was midwife to the American Revolution. John Adams said: "I know not why we should blush to confess that molasses for rum was an essential ingredient in American independence." England placed a high import duty and taxes on molasses, except those from the home country and shipped in British ships. This was a direct threat to New England's economy, where distilling rum was a major industry. Yankee ships also suffered, with no cargo to haul. Leaders like John Hancock began smuggling molasses and rum in Yankee vessels. In 1776, John Hancock was the first man to sign the Declaration of Independence.

Rum has also impacted our language. Calibogus was a popular mixed drink served in taverns consisting of half cheap ale and half more expensive rum. Some unprincipled tavern keepers would put more ale than rum into the drink, thus increasing their profit. This gave us the word, bogus, which Webster defines as "not genuine, or counterfeit."

Rum-Eggnog Pie is a tasty hot weather dessert.

INGREDIENTS:

1 pie shell, baked and chilled

1/4 ounce package instant vanilla pudding

1 3/4 cups eggnog

1 tablespoon rum

PREPARATION: Combine pudding, eggnog and rum. Beat for one minute. Pour into chilled pie shell, chill until filling sets. The pie can be served as is or with topping of your choice.

Jeff Cheek lives in Medford