Ever since the term ‘shidhu’ was mentioned in our Vedas, the world has known of rums. Yes, you read it right, we documented it first. The Philippines brought sugarcane to the world, and India took it everywhere. In fact, India grows more varieties of this perennial grass than grape. What’s more, if you thought wines were complicated, well then, put your familiar Old Monk down, there’s a universe to be undone.
Rums are all set to become the new whiskies, agave drinks, and brandies of the world. The Scots have their highland, lowlands, and Islay regions; rums have entire islands and some countries as well. Agave producers have pina varieties; rums have jaggery, molasses and cane juice. If brandies boast of their barrels regime, and age statements, rums have continental and tropical ageing, with blending, angel’s share, and the absolutely mad, cult-like following for ‘funk’ to add.
India has finally marched into its own ‘Rum
