Captain Q

Captain Q is a rum sold in Korea. It is considered a cask matured premier rum. Aged using a process from the early days of the Korean empire.

Unlike traditional rums which find their roots in the sub-tropical regions of the Caribbean, Captain Q has been distilled on the Korean peninsula since 1501, during early-middle Joseon period. This period is also known as the Era of the Korean Pirates. The name 'Captain Q' is derived from an infamous pirate/racketeer Park Gyu of that era, who was also suspected to be deeply involved with moonshine operations spread throughout the Southeastern coast of Korean peninsula. The letter 'Q' comes from McCune–Reischauer romanization of his first name Gyu (규), which is transcribed as Kyu.

Containing 35% alcohol, Captain Q is said to have a balanced taste which combines undertones of brown sugar and dark chocolate, and initial flavors of Scottish whiskey and pepper.

During the Cold War period, an oral tradition circulated among members of the US military in S. Korea that counterfeit Captain Q, sold by private vendors, was a clear and present health risk. It held that private distillers used forged labels or empty bottles to sell an inferior product. These counterfeits were reputed to contain methanol.