As an expert sommelier and brewer, I can tell you that pirates were not too concerned about the color of their rum. They were more interested in the potency and availability of the alcohol. However, it is true that dark rum was more commonly consumed by pirates.
Dark rum is a type of rum that has been aged for a longer period of time, resulting in a richer and more intense flavor. It is usually made from molasses, which gives it a deep, caramel-like sweetness. The aging process also imparts a darker color to the rum.
Pirates often found themselves in situations where they had limited access to refined spirits. They would plunder ships and take whatever they could find, including barrels of unrefined rum. This rum was often strong and potent, with a high alcohol content. It may not have been as smooth or refined as the rum we have today, but it certainly packed a punch.
One popular drink among pirates was grog. Grog was a mixture of rum, sugar, lime or another citrus fruit, and water. This concoction helped to mask the harsh taste of the unrefined rum while still providing the desired level of intoxication. The addition of sugar and citrus also helped to prevent scurvy, a common ailment among sailors due to a lack of vitamin C.
It's important to note that the term “grog” was not limited to just one recipe. Different pirates and crews may have had their own variations of grog, depending on what ingredients were available to them. Some may have added spices or other flavorings to enhance the taste of their drink.
In my own experiences in the brewing industry, I have come across various types of rum, both dark and light. Each has its own unique characteristics and flavor profile. While dark rum tends to have a richer and more complex taste, light rum is often lighter and more subtle in flavor. Both can be enjoyed neat or used as the base for cocktails.
Pirates were not picky about the color of their rum. They would drink whatever they could get their hands on, which often meant unrefined, high-alcohol-content rum. While dark rum was more commonly consumed, the focus was on the potency and availability of the alcohol rather than its color. Grog, a mixture of rum, sugar, lime or citrus, and water, was a popular drink among pirates, helping to mask the harsh taste of the rum while providing much-needed hydration and vitamin C.