What is the major constituent of rum?

Answer 1

Rum is a spirit distilled from a MASH made from the molasses extracted from sugar cane. Molasses is a byproduct of sugar production. There are usually three molasses extraction runs made on the raw product of mashed sugar cane mixed with water. The first run (it comes out black as tar) is the best and the best rum is made from this by mixing the molasses with water and then fermenting the mixture. After fermentation the "mash" is distilled and the result is rum. It is as clear as water. Rum is sometimes aged in oak casks which produces the dark color and smokey flavor.