Rum is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane byproducts, such as molasses, or directly from sugar cane juice, by a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then usually aged in oak barrels.

The grades and variations used to describe rum depend on the location where the rum was produced.

Dark rums, also known by their color, such as brown, black or red rums a grade darker than gold rums. They are usually made from caramelized sugar or molasses. They are generally aged longer, in heavily charred barrels, giving them much stronger flavors than either light or gold rums, and hints of spices can be detected, along with a strong molasses or caramel overtone. Most dark rums come from areas such as Jamaica, Haiti, and Martinique.