“Drinkin’ rum before 10am makes you a pirate, not an alcoholic” – Earl Dibbles Jr.

Well, the long-talked-about Rum Revolution might not have happened but as we head towards the last quarter of the year, ’tis the season indeed for the traditional drink of pirates.

Rum of course comes in four styles – Dark, Golden, Spiced and White – and each one has taken a turn as a favourite of mine.

I was introduced to dark rum in the Royal Navy and while the traditional tot had sensibly been given the heave-ho when guided missile systems replaced cannons, we still got the barrel out for special occasions and an old hand showed me how to cheat the system. It was traditional for the tot master to keep what was left in the bucket and if you left the end of your thumb in the tot measure, you ended up with a decent old evening for the lads in the mess.

Golden rum is easier on the eye and tends to be the rich, sweet Demerara style that I adore. As with the dark rums, I find these best enjoyed on their own but if a shot of blackcurrant floats your boat, who am I to disagree?

Spiced rums are a relatively new experience for me, although I’ve probably had several mixed up in cocktails before, but they have rapidly become my favourite style. There are so many different ways to spice up a rum that it could take a pirate a lifetime to get through them all but as a rule, I favour the ones heavy in cinnamon and vanilla. A good friend recently introduced me to spiced rum with Coke and I was hooked, so do give that mix a go as the nights close in.

Finally the odd one out, white rum, of which the most famous brand is Bacardi. With its soft, creamy finish, Bacardi with a shot of Coke, a couple of ice cubes and a slice of lemon has become my holiday flight drink of choice. Here’s a couple of suggestions if you’re considering splicing the mainbrace this weekend. Pip pip!

GERARD’S CHOICES

  • Foursquare Spiced Rum: A spicy, sweet Christmas Cake rum with lush vanilla and gingerbread on the palate. Richardson’s of Whitehaven, £32.95.
  • Jeffersons Rum: A rich Demerara style with treacle, honey and a lovely toasty finish thanks to its barrel ageing. Possibly the oldest rum brand in the world and still among the best. The Rum Story, Whitehaven, £29.99.