National Rum Day: Facts, Health Benefits And Interesting Quotes About The Timeless Spirit

This one is for all the rum enthusiasts. Rum lovers gather to honor the oldest spirit in the world during the international annual celebration of rum and distilleries on August 16. The day is all about savoring the strongest liqueur, from online rum events to special discounts on rum cocktails. Read on to learn some incredibly fascinating rum-related facts.

Rum experts believe that the liquor has a myriad of health benefits in addition to its rich flavor and smooth texture. Rum is thought to be effective for treating a cold or easing muscular pain. Additionally, it is thought to be advantageous in preventing cardiac ailments by functioning as a blood thinner.

To engage the rum-lover in you, here are some interesting facts about your favorite liquor. (Courtesy: World Rum Guide)

1. The world's longest-aged rum dates back to World War 2. Nearly half a century after it was made, Gordon and MacPhail bottled their 1941 Long Pond Jamaican rum in 1999. It is the world's longest-aged rum.
2. Angels fancy rum too. Some of the liquid in the rum evaporates over time as it ages in the cask. This liquid that goes missing is called the angels' share. The angels' share might reach up to 7% of the cask's contents annually in some parts of the Caribbean. In colder regions, it might only be 1% to 2%.
3. Rum makes hair thick and healthy. Rum has long been associated with the maintenance of thick, long and healthy hair. The only tricky bit is the application of rum on the scalp, which could leave you smelling like rum. It's not that bad after all, is it?
4. If you're gulping a glass of rum, you would be drinking Nelson's blood. The nickname comes from a story that's associated with an incident that occurred at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Admiral Horatio Nelson was killed while leading the Royal Navy to victory against a French and Spanish fleet and, according to the legend, after his death, Nelson's body was placed in a cask of rum. Hungry sailors are said to have punched holes in the barrel and removed the rum, which would have contained Nelson's blood.
5. It was used to get rid of a deadly disease. You might be surprised to learn that the Royal Navy formerly provided rum as part of the daily ration since it was thought that the beverage was useful in warding off the dreaded scurvy disease. Later, it was outlawed after researchers discovered that drinking rum made for shaky hands while operating machines.

Here are some quotes about the world's popular drink. (Courtesy: Wise sayings)

1. "Rum is tonic that clarifies the vision, and sets things in true perspective." — Brian D'Ambrosio
2. "I pity them greatly, but I must be mum, for how could we do without sugar and rum?" — William Cowper
3. "I was hungry and went out for a bite, ran into a chum with a bottle of rum and we wound up drinking all night." — Jimmy Buffett
4. "Sugar, rum and tobacco are commodities which are nowhere necessaries of life, which are become objects of almost universal consumption, and which are therefore extremely proper subjects of taxation." — Adam Smith
5. "Drinking Rum before 10am makes you a Pirate, not an Alcoholic." — Earl Dibbles Jr.

Like Tyrion Lannister says, you drink, and you know things!