Dunder, Funk & Safety Valves: A Guide to Rum with Adam Chapman

Adam Chapman of Sunshine & Sons in Australia, joins the More Good Drinks Podcast to dive into his unique approach to rum distillation, safety, and education. With over 30 years in winemaking and a passion for teaching, Adam shares profound insights into spirit craftsmanship, sensory evaluation, and industry challenges.Why Adam? Well - he has a unique ability to call a spade a spade, and an unerring drive for accuracy and understanding. There’s plenty here to examine by way of inspiration, attention to craft and just a good bloke having a bloody good time and trying to stay alive doing it.He’s not afraid to call out what craft distillers could be doing better and to share his rich knowledge. So listen in, you’ll benefit.In this episode:* The transition from winemaking to rum distillation driven by climate change and a passion for spirits* How wild fermentation and organic molasses create a full-bodied, muscular rum profile* The importance of texture, mouthfeel, and structure in spirit evaluation and how Adam measures these aspects* An overview of his innovative tasting scale from 1 to 5 across various characteristics* His approach to blending, maturation, and experimenting with fermentation processes to develop signature styles* The critical role of safety equipment, including pressure relief valves, in small-scale distilling* Emphasizing industry safety, compliance, and the importance of education in spirits production* Adam’s perspective on Australian rum’s potential and the influence of terroir* The value of sensory education, understanding compounds, and how to communicate complexity to consumers* Insights into his ongoing training contributions and plans to influence the industry positively* The significance of respecting cultural traditions like Baiou and indigenous ingredients in spirit innovationTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction: Rum innovation and Adam’s background02:00 - Transition from winemaking to rum distillation05:15 - Wild fermentation and organic molasses as signature elements08:30 - Texture, structure, and sensory evaluation in spirits12:45 - The unique tasting scale and scoring process16:10 - Maturation styles and blending strategies20:20 - Safety practices: pressure relief and distillation equipment24:00 - Industry challenges and safety standards28:30 - Australian rum: terroir and style evolution33:20 - Cultural influences: Baiou and indigenous ingredients39:00 - Education: training, sensory analysis, and industry standards43:30 - Future trends and innovation in spirits48:00 - Final thoughts and Adam’s passion for safety and education Get full access to More Good Drinks at www.moregooddrinks.com/subscribe