Historicaly speaking, when there was mention of "rum" from those days, it was a generic term for hard liquor

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"such a day, Rum all out.
Our Company somewhat sober.
A damn'd Confusion amongst us!
Rouges a plotting; great Talk of Separation,
So I look'd sharp for a prize; such a Day took one
with a great deal of Liquor on board,
so kept the Company hot,
then all Things were well again."

Blackbeard's Log