Date of Release: 1888
Alc/Volume: 57.7% Bottle sizes: 375ml, 700ml, 750ml, 1125ml, 2 litre and 5 litre
Details: Bundaberg OP Rum has been around as for as long as it's Underproof brother.
It is based on the same spirit, and blended to the higher strength by adding less
pure water in the marrying tanks than UP Rum.
What is the meaning of "Overproof" or OP? The term originated in the UK in the 18th
century when British sailors payment included rations of rum. The term means the
dilution point of a spirit that would sustain the ignition of gunpowder. The sailors
wanted to “prove” that their spirit had not been watered down. Gunpowder was doused
with the rum and if it ignited, it was over proof. If it did not ignite to much
water had been added to the rum and it was considered “under proof”. 57.15% Alc/Vol
was found to be the lowest point at which the gunpowder ignited and was defined as
“100 Degrees Proof”.
Now days, BDC use hydrometer to measure the alcohol content. The term "proof" now
refers to an alcohol content of 50% by volume, or 100 proof. Underproof means the
rum is less that 50% Alc/Vol and Overproof means the rum is over 50% Alc/Vol.
Bundaberg Rum OP is blended to 57.7% Alc/Vol. The stronger blend brings out more
of the rich, intense character that is the signature of all Bundaberg Rum products.
Variations: Like Bundaberg UP Rum variations of Bundaberg OP Rum are numerous and
varied. Variations included different alcohol strengths, 50%, 57.7% (1 OP), 75.9%
(33 OP) and 77.6%. Different bottle shapes, label changes, imperial and metric volumes,
as well as different bottlers.
