🥃 Captain Morgan
Captain Morgan is a Diageo rum brand launched in 1982. Its flagship is the spiced Original Spiced Gold, made with vanilla, natural flavours and spice; the range also has White Rum and an alcohol-free 0.0%.
Captain Morgan is a rum brand owned by Diageo. According to Diageo, it was launched in 1982 and is the world's leading spiced rum, sold in more than 100 countries.
According to Diageo, the brand came to the company in 2001, when it acquired part of the Seagram spirits and wine business, which includes brands such as Captain Morgan and Crown Royal.
The Captain Morgan range on Diageo's site includes Original Spiced Gold (vanilla, natural flavours and spice), White Rum, Sliced Apple (the Original Spiced Gold flavour with apple and a hint of ginger) and the alcohol-free Spiced Gold 0.0%. The company does not publish the recipes of individual products, so we do not give them.
Under EU Regulation 2019/787, rum is made by distilling sugar-cane products, may not be flavoured and must be at least 37.5% ABV. Diageo describes Original Spiced Gold as made with vanilla, natural flavours and spice.
Why this matters to you. Different drinks are sold under one name: White Rum, flavoured spiced versions, the apple-flavoured Sliced Apple and the alcohol-free Spiced Gold 0.0%. In recipes that call for rum, check the name and the strength on the label. The WHO reminds us that no level of alcohol consumption is safe.
Facts
| Year founded | 1982 (launch, according to Diageo); owned by Diageo since 2001 |
|---|---|
| Raw material | spiced versions: vanilla, natural flavours and spice (Diageo) |
| Legal basis | Reg. (EU) 2019/787, Annex I, category 1 (rum: from 37.5% ABV, unflavoured) |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Captain Morgan → kind of → 🌴 Rum and sugarcane spirits → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Previous step
- 🥃 Diageo
- Made from
- 🥃 Sugar cane and molasses
- What it contains
- 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 Americans
- Part of
- 🌴 Rum and sugarcane spirits, 🥃 Spiced rum
- Related to
- 🌍 North America
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Rum, 🥃 Jamaica Rum, 🥃 Malibu, 🥃 Malibu, 🥃 Old Monk, 🥃 Old Monk, 🥃 Havana Club, 🥃 Havana Club, 🥃 Stroh, 🥃 Stroh
Frequently asked questions
Is Captain Morgan Spiced a rum under UK and EU rules?
EU Regulation 2019/787 requires rum to be unflavoured and at least 37.5% ABV. Diageo describes Original Spiced Gold as made with vanilla, natural flavours and spice, so check the name and the strength on the label.
How is the strength of Captain Morgan shown on a US bottle?
It differs between products and is printed on each label, with ABV and proof on US bottles.
Who owns Captain Morgan?
Diageo.
When was Captain Morgan launched?
In 1982, according to Diageo, which calls it the world's leading spiced rum.
Is there an alcohol-free Captain Morgan?
Yes, the range has an alcohol-free version.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🥃 Rum — A distillate of sugar-cane molasses, syrup or juice: in the EU at least 37.5% ABV, no flavourings or added alcohol, up to 20 g/l of sugar; in the US bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) or more.
- 🧑🤝🧑 Americans — The people of the United States in North America, descendants of settlers and Native peoples; their home-grown cheese is California's Monterey Jack.
- 🌍 North America — US and Canada: 9.5 million US cows gave 232 billion lb of milk (2025); Wisconsin makes a quarter of US cheese; Canada runs on dairy quotas.
Similar
🥃 Old Monk · 🥃 Havana Club · 🥃 Stroh · 🥃 Božkov · 🥃 Cruzan · 🥃 RumChata
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
What it includes
Sources
- Diageo: Captain Morgan (launched 1982; world's leading spiced rum; 100+ countries; Original Spiced Gold with vanilla, natural flavours and spice; White Rum; Sliced Apple; Spiced Gold 0.0%)
- Diageo: Our history (2001 — acquired part of the Seagram spirits and wine business, including Captain Morgan)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks, Annex I, category 1 Rum (min. 37.5% vol., not flavoured)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)