Spirits
Rum — including when the label says overproof
Everyday rum is often about 40%. Overproof rum is not. Count the percentage, not the colour.
- Typical everyday range
- ~37–40%
- Overproof bottlings
- Higher
- About one at 40%
- 30 mL
- Not the count
- Colour
Rum is a distilled spirit made from sugarcane products. Many everyday rums are labelled around 37–40% ABV — about one Australian standard drink in a 30 mL nip. Overproof rum is labelled much higher; the same 30 mL is then well over one standard drink. Colour (dark, gold, white) is not a reliable strength ranking.
Definition
Rum. A distilled sugarcane spirit. “Overproof” means a higher labelled ABV than everyday bottled rum — read the number.
Everyday rum versus overproof
| Compare | Many 40% rums | Overproof rum |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mL nip | About one standard drink. | More than one — sometimes much more. Do the formula. |
| Colour | White, gold, or dark — still read ABV. | Still not a substitute for the percentage. |
| Mixers | Do not remove grams. | Do not remove grams. |
Questions
Questions people actually ask
About one if it is 30 mL at 40%. Overproof rum in the same measure is more. Use litres × ABV × 0.789.
Proof is a hint — the percentage is the fact
Use the spirits hub for the beer comparison. Use the guidelines before you treat a mixed drink as “just a mixer”.