Rum is a liquor made from sugarcane molasses or sugarcane juice. The process of making rum involves several steps, including fermentation, distillation, maturation, and blending. Here are the steps in more detail:

1. Creating molasses from the sugar cane: The juices are squeezed from the sugar cane to create a by-product called molasses. Molasses is a thick, dark syrup that is rich in sugar and other nutrients.

2. Fermentation: Alcohol is created by adding yeast and water to the molasses or sugarcane juice. The yeast is carefully chosen to ensure the right taste profile and aroma of the final rum. The fermented liquid is heated and condensed in column stills.

3. Maturation: Some of the fermented liquid will then get its rich color and flavor by being aged in charred white oak barrels. The aging process can take anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on the desired flavor profile.

4. Blending: Almost all rums are blended with other batches made at the same distillery to create unique flavors. Some rums will be infused with herbs, fruits, and spices, or blended with juices to create an altogether new taste, and most rums are diluted with water before bottling to create a 40%-50% alcohol volume.

Rum can be made directly from sugar cane juice, but this method is rare outside of the French islands. Most rum is produced from molasses, which is made from sugarcane. A rums quality is dependent on the quality and variety of the sugarcane that was used to create it. The sugar canes quality depends on the soil type and climate that it was grown in.

In summary, rum is made from sugarcane molasses or sugarcane juice, which is fermented and then distilled. The resulting liquid is aged in barrels of oak, blended with other batches, and diluted with water before bottling.