We have addressed the physiological aspects of alcoholism & their controlling genetic factors before, but here is evidence that the experience of rum is salient upstream in the taste buds: Genetic variation gives a taste for alcohol. The bitter chemical PROP, earlier mentioned in a more generic gustatory context, shows up again as a proxy to determine how sensitive people are to particular bitter tastes. Strong tasters of PROP also tended to drink far less alcohol. You can see the profile of the lead researcher and note that she’s published a lot in this area. Here is the abstract for the research that is the basis for the above article.
Posted by razib at 12:57 AM