In 1720, the Golden Age of piracy popularized rum consumption, with pirates often depicted as indulging in this spirit. The romanticized accounts of pirates in literature and folklore contributed to the cultural mythology surrounding rum. This association between piracy and rum has had a lasting impact on maritime culture and the beverage industry.

Rum's significance in pirate lore and literature since 1720 fueled swashbuckling ballads and adventure poetry through the 19th century. Poets like Robert Louis Stevenson captured the romanticized life of pirates and the allure of the sea, intertwining themes of freedom and rebellion.