Rum vs Bourbon: Which One Should You Distill at Home

April 3, 2025

Whiskers or Waves? Choosing Between Distilling Bourbon or Rum at Home

There’s a moment most home distillers get to—standing there, glass in hand, eyes narrowed in deep thought—asking the burning question: “What should I make next?” On one hand, a deep, oaky bourbon whispers of glowing sunsets and slow nights on the back porch. On the other, rum beckons with tropical vibes and the rumble of distant waves. So, which route should you take in your home distilling journey—rum or bourbon? Let’s get right to it.

The Heart of the Spirit: What's the Difference?

If you're new to the world of homemade spirits, it’s worth understanding what sets these two apart. At their core, they come from completely different homes. Bourbon, a type of whiskey, is traditionally made with grain—mostly corn—and aged in new, charred oak barrels. That’s what gives it its signature warmth and those comforting vanilla and caramel notes.

Rum? It tends to be a bit of a sunnier soul. Made from sugarcane by-products like molasses, it’s distilled to bring out hints of spice and sweetness, often easiergoing and lighter in mouthfeel—though it can get bold and fiery too, depending on the recipe.

The Home Distiller’s Dilemma (And Secret Delight)

Here’s the thing—there’s no wrong answer. It comes down to what excites your taste buds and fits best with your setup and lifestyle.

Let’s say your weekends are more about slow-grilled roast meats, blues playlists, and hefty wooden furniture. Distilling a bourbon-style spirit could be your kind of mood. It offers that classic, full-bodied character that suits colder nights and long yarns with mates. Using a like the Still Spirits Bourbon Essence (50ml) makes it even easier to recreate that smooth, oak-kissed profile at home with a neutral spirit base.

Yep, no massive oak barrels necessary. This handy essence delivers notes of oak, vanilla, and caramel—ideal if you're looking for flavour without having to wait a year or five. Just mix it with your base spirit, let it settle, and pour over ice or mix up an authentic tasting old fashioned. Job done, and not a charred stave in sight.

Rum: Sweet Simplicity Meets Adventure

On the flip side, rum distilling can appeal to folks who prefer a spice-forward, sweeter flavour profile—and may already have a soft spot for tiki-inspired cocktails, ginger beer mixers, or rum-soaked cakes. Making rum at home often requires fermenting molasses or raw sugar, which can be a bigger time commitment but loads of fun once you get the hang of it.

Rum's forgiving nature also makes it appealing if you're still learning. It tends to hide impurities and blend 'flaws' better than bourbon-style spirits, which show off every misstep if you rush things. A nice beginner move, if you ask me.

What Suits Your Setup?

This is often the real clincher. If you’re short on tools or want a simpler, faster process, bourbon-style spirits using a pre-made flavouring essence is probably your best bet. Products like the Still Spirits Bourbon Essence are built specifically for the home enthusiast keen to try their hand without burning ten holes in their wallet.

Rum, by contrast, usually takes a bit more brewing knowledge: thinking about yeast choice, temperature control, wash pH, and possibly even longer aging if you want that rich body. Mind you, the adventure can be half the reward—plenty of distillers find the quirks of rum part of the charm.

What’s Your Flavour Identity?

Are you someone who enjoys sipping by the fire with conversation that gets better as the night stretches on? Bourbon could feel like an extension of you. Ambitious and bold, a good bourbon commands respect and delight in equal measure—and there’s nothing quite like hearing your friends say, “You made this?”

Or, if you work up a sweat in the garden, love backyard barbecues, and aren’t afraid to turn up the Bob Marley now and then, then crafting your own rum will make sense. Its lighter heart balances out life when nothing needs to feel serious.

Speed vs. Story

It comes down to this: Do you want a fast flavour win or a longer ride with more variables?

Bourbon-style essence: Quicker results with big commercial-level flavour thanks to concentrated flavouring. Plays well with neutral spirits and saves waiting for time and barrels to do their work.
Rum from scratch: Slower process with more aroma finesse, slightly trickier fermentation, but insanely rewarding. Nothing’s stopping you from adding natural spices and citrus once it’s distilled.

The Budget Bit

For many starting out, the budget matters. That’s where ready-made blends like Still Spirits Bourbon 50ml Essence shine. It’s cost-effective because you’re infusing your neutral spirit rather than developing every flavour note from the ground up. Not to mention, a 50ml bottle goes a fair distance. For someone experimenting or blending small-batch spirits, it’s a dream.

Final Pour: My Two Cents

I always tell mates the same thing: try both. Start your homemade bourbon journey with the bourbon essence to build experience and confidence. Learn how flavours marry, test aging in oak chips if you’re feeling curious, and nail your staple sipper.

Then, set your sights on rum for your next round. By then you'll have the tools and mindset to take it further. Sketch out your 'house style' along the way—and remember that half the magic is found between sips.

Cheers to building your spirit shelf with things you’ve made yourself!

With oak in one hand and sugarcane in the other,

— Candeece