8 Unusual Rum Facts You Probably Didn't Know

1. Rum As A Beauty Product

[{"selector":"#anim-4953b8c2-064f-4bdc-8846-281948feb62b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-04af903e-ab6e-4efe-abc6-21904bbae995","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash In the 1800s, rum was utilised as a beauty product, with some people believing that it could enhance complexion and be used as a skin toner.

2. Colourful Nicknames

[{"selector":"#anim-c8983cef-af5b-4f2c-a14d-3c42f641727a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b3809b03-d2fc-4a8c-9b0c-23b84d99df06","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Rum has acquired various colourful nicknames throughout history, including "Rumbullion," "Kill-Devil," "Nelson's Blood," and more.

3. Pirates And Rum Rations

[{"selector":"#anim-1e319257-7b45-4c4a-adc5-948c802ddbbb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-14b28043-d6b5-4e77-b384-773096a817a9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Pirates were known to receive daily rum rations, leading to the association of rum with the adventurous and rebellious spirit of the high seas.

4. Rum's Triangle Trade Role

[{"selector":"#anim-251b16d6-6ce9-49e1-a31c-f2a9b78bcbe8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-985f26a2-7607-45cb-9ed8-ebba94935d6b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Rum played a significant role in the historical Triangle Trade, as molasses from Caribbean sugar plantations was used to produce rum in New England.

5. Rum's Role In Revolution

[{"selector":"#anim-832cd930-2159-49d0-b8d7-41ea916f7a61","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b3088a6d-eacf-4024-bc42-be1a92a24d9a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Rum was a currency of trade during the American Revolution, with some soldiers being partially paid in rum as they fought for independence.

6. Floating Navy Rum

[{"selector":"#anim-f9de88ed-d7e3-4705-8a8e-76ab756ed9af","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-49b24a20-d4ed-498e-9308-747f75e4ef31","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 266.97521%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash During World War II, the British Royal Navy issued a daily tot of rum to sailors, a tradition that lasted until 1970.

7. Mai Tai Origin Controversy

[{"selector":"#anim-63616562-75c0-4c97-8b3d-3154fb0e90c7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8b1c9a8d-6822-419d-8896-d4e5e652378d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 165.41069%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash The origin of the Mai Tai cocktail is surrounded by controversy, with both Trader Vic and Don the Beachcomber claiming to have invented it, adding a layer of mystery to this iconic rum-based drink.

[{"selector":"#anim-ae2428a4-15bc-4ab3-ab7f-a14213c21f91","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ee2ca7a7-3a11-484a-b65e-266b73db4021","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 845.59324%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash How many of these did you know about?