Origins of Spiced Rum
Before we tell you the story of Smuggler Sam, let’s look at the origins of spiced rum. Spiced rum is a type of rum that is flavoured with a variety of spices and other flavourings. The origins of spiced rum can be traced back to the Caribbean islands, where rum production was first established by European colonizers in the 17th century.
One of the earliest known examples of spiced rum is “Navy rum,” which was given to British sailors as part of their daily ration. The rum was flavoured with spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, and lime to mask the harsh taste of the alcohol and to help prevent scurvy. This practice of flavouring rum with spices was also used by sailors and traders in other countries, such as the Dutch and the French.
As rum production and trade expanded throughout the Caribbean, the practice of flavouring rum with spices also spread to other islands. Today, spiced rum is a popular spirit enjoyed by people all over the world, and is used in a variety of cocktails and other drinks.
Smuggling in Kent
Smuggling is the illegal import or export of goods. In Kent, smuggling has a long history dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, when smuggling of goods and contraband into the country was at its peak. Smuggling routes in Kent were often through coastal areas, such as the Isle of Thanet, Dover, Folkestone and the Romney Marsh. The use of small boats to evade customs officials patrolling the English Channel was common.
Tunnels were typically built under homes, inns, and other buildings along the coast of Kent to smuggle a wide range of items, including tobacco, tea, brandy, and even slaves. Many of these tunnels have been discovered over the years, and some have been preserved as historical sites for visitors to explore.
Smuggler Sam
Samuel Jackson, son of a smuggler, had a warren of tunnels underneath his house in Petham. He was known as Slippery Sam after overpowering a guard, covering himself in axel grease & slipping through a small window at Maidstone Gaol. In 1760, after shooting and killing a Revenue Officer, Jackson was caught, hung and gibbeted in just two days at the age of thirty.
We like to believe he’d have been a big rum drinker, and felt compelled to name our spicy rum after this wayward character.
Smuggler Sam’s Spiced Rum
Our Smuggler Sam’s Spiced Rum is handcrafted here at The Foundry in Canterbury from the highest quality Molasses. We then age on Spanish Oak after gently spicing with Madagascan Vanilla, Spanish orange peel & 6 world spices.
It’s delicious on it’s own, although many customers enjoy it with Coca Cola.