Rum Distilling Recipe Kit

Dark Rum Kit

Craft a bold, full-bodied rum with our Rum Distilling Kit, designed for distillers who love deep molasses character and rich caramelized sweetness. Made with blackstrap molasses, this kit delivers intense flavors, creating a complex and robust rum perfect for sipping or aging. This kit includes blackstrap molasses, known for its rich, dark color and intense flavor. Used traditionally in rum production, blackstrap molasses provides deep notes of toffee, licorice, and dark fruit, with a slightly dry finish. With an OG of 1.107 and a target ABV of 13.5%, this kit is designed to produce 5 gallons of wash, ready for distillation into a deep, flavorful rum.

Fermented with Still Spirits Rum Yeast, this wash develops rich esters that contribute to the classic fruity and complex rum profile. Still Spirits Turbo Clear is also included to ensure a clean and refined wash before distillation.

To ensure a healthy fermentation and optimal sugar conversion, this kit includes:

• Fermaid K Yeast Nutrient – Supports yeast health for a strong fermentation.
• Glucoamylase Enzyme – Helps break down residual complex sugars during fermentation for maximum alcohol yield.

This kit produces 5 gallons of wash, ready for distillation to craft an authentic blackstrap molasses rum. See our full lineup of distilling kits here.

Rum Brewing Notes:

• Style: Blackstrap Molasses Rum
• Included Yeast: Still Spirits Rum Yeast
• Fermentation Range: 75-86°F
• Original Gravity (OG): 1.107
• 5 Gallon Wash ABV: 13.5%

Key Characteristics of Dark Rum:

• Blackstrap Molasses Base – Provides deep flavors of toffee, licorice, dark fruit, and caramelized sugar.
• High-Ester Fermentation – Still Spirits Rum Yeast enhances fruity and complex esters, adding depth to the final spirit.
• Efficient Sugar Conversion – Glucoamylase enzyme ensures full utilization of fermentable sugars for maximum alcohol yield.
• Traditional Pot Distillation – Preserves the full-bodied character of molasses while refining the final spirit.
• Aging Potential – Perfect for aging on oak to develop additional notes of vanilla, spice, and caramelized richness.

More About Rum

Rum has been a staple of Caribbean and global spirits for centuries. Made from sugarcane byproducts like molasses or cane juice, rum can be crafted into a wide variety of styles, from light and clean to heavy and full-bodied. Blackstrap molasses rums tend to be rich, bold, and slightly drier due to the intense caramelization of the sugar during processing.

Dark vs. Light Rum: What’s the Difference?

While all rum starts as a clear distillate, aging and ingredient choices define its final character:

• Light Rum – Distilled for a cleaner flavor, often aged in stainless steel or lightly charred barrels.
• Dark/Blackstrap Rum – Made from heavily caramelized molasses, offering deep, rich flavors with a full-bodied mouthfeel.
• Spiced Rum – Aged with spices and botanicals for added warmth and complexity.

Whether you prefer it neat, aged, or in cocktails, this kit provides the perfect foundation for crafting a high-quality molasses-based rum at home.