42: Diving into Boston Apothecary, the Internet's Deepest Rum Rabbit Hole (w/ Stephen Shellenberger)

The Rum Cast interviews Stephen Shellenberger of Boston Apothecary, a blog dedicated to historical rum literature and spirit experimentation. Shellenberger discusses his mission to provide accessible historical resources for distillers, emphasizing the importance of translating and understanding lost texts to foster a distilling renaissance. The conversation explores the concept of "proto-rum" and the significance of W.F. Whitehouse's work, as well as the potential of fission yeast in rum production. Shellenberger highlights the importance of "rum oil," a key aromatic component often overlooked, and his efforts to revive the biorectifier, a tool used to detect it. He also touches on the challenges of promoting innovative ideas within the rum industry due to bureaucratic systems and a focus on commodity spirits.