Study books from the Academy.
The textbooks behind our courses — written by our educators, beautifully printed, and just as good on the bar as in the classroom.
Certified Rum Ambassador™
The official textbook of our Certified Rum Ambassador™ course: rum’s history, raw materials, fermentation, distillation, ageing and blending, the great rum regions and styles, tasting technique and service. Written for bartenders, sommeliers, rum lovers and anyone preparing for the exam.
- By Christian Esser and Nicolas Ratkovich
- 204 pages, full colour, US Letter paperback
- ISBN 978-0-557-73008-7
- Also available as a PDF ebook, delivered instantly
From sugarcane to the glass.
Travel island by island, from Antigua to Venezuela, through more than forty distilleries, and learn how rum is made, aged, tasted, mixed and paired.
How rum is made
Cane, molasses, fermentation, pot and column distillation, maturation and blending.
Styles and rules
Rum styles, the ACR marque and how rum is regulated around the world.
Distillery profiles
More than forty producers across the Caribbean and the Americas.
Tasting
How to taste rum, with the aroma wheel and tasting grids.
Cocktails
The classics, from the Daiquiri to the Mai Tai, with specs and history.
Pairing
Rum with cigars, food and chocolate, plus recipes to try at home.
Read the book. Earn the pin.
The World of Rum is the textbook for our Certified Rum Ambassador™ course. Join a class in Grand Cayman or study online, taste through the styles with an educator, and sit the exam to become certified.
Written by people who teach rum.
Christian Esser
Wine & Spirits Educator and founder of the Academy of Wine & Spirits in the Cayman Islands. Christian has taught wine and spirits for more than 20 years in classrooms across the Caribbean, North and South America.
Nicolas Ratkovich
Co-author of The World of Rum, Nicolas brings scientific precision to the tasting glass. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, trained as a sommelier, and holds the General Certificate in Distillation from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling (UK), a Diploma in Rum and Spirits from Andrés Bello Catholic University (Venezuela) and a cachaça production course from the Federal University of Lavras (Brazil).
Before you order.
Do you ship worldwide?
Yes. The paperback is printed on demand by Lulu and shipped to most countries. Shipping cost and delivery time are shown at Lulu checkout.
Will I pay customs or import duty?
Some countries, including the Cayman Islands, charge import duty on books. Any duty is set by your local customs office and paid on delivery.
What format is the ebook?
A full-colour PDF of the complete book. You can download it straight after purchase and read it on any phone, tablet or computer.
Is the book included in the course?
Yes. Students on the Certified Rum Ambassador™ course receive the textbook as part of their enrolment. Buy the paperback separately if you would like a printed copy.
More from the Academy.
The study book for AWS Level 2 in Wines – Certified Junior Sommelier™.
The study book for AWS Level 3 in Spirits – Certified Spirits Educator™.
The study book for AWS Level 1 in Bartending – Certified Bartending Enthusiast™.
The study book for AWS Level 2 in Bartending – Certified Junior Bartender™.
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