Baste fruitcake with rum.
Unwrap and baste the fruitcake with rum every 1 to 2 weeks if you do not plan to store the cake long. You can sprinkle the rum directly over the cake or brush it onto the cake with a pastry brush.
Maintain the moist texture and flavor of your fruitcake during longer curing periods by thoroughly brushing with rum at least every 3 months. Tightly rewrap the cheesecloth, plastic wrap and foil.