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Black Tot Rum

Following Black Tot Day on 31st July 1970, when the Royal Navy issued the final daily rum ration or ‘tot’, the remaining Naval rum was stored in wicker-clad imperial stone flagons for nearly forty years. During this time it was largely forgotten about, periodically being accessed for state occasions and royal weddings. A fine rum of significant interest, possibly distilled as far back as the 1940s, sadly without any real purpose. In 2010 the surviving Naval rum finally became available as it was released by Speciality Drinks under the Black Tot brand.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Thick and fruity, with pineapples, bananas and freshly-removed banana peel in a chamois leather bag. Golden syrup, brown sugar and funkily sweet sugar-cane juice peek out from behind the fruit, with a touch of polished oak following in their wake.

Palate: Rounded and rich, with butter toffee, banana cream and caramel to start. Gentle cinnamon and allspice build, with more fruit baked apples, pineapple cubes and dried mango joined by coffee, bittersweet dark chocolate and a grind of black pepper.

Finish: Chocolatey mocha coffee fades, leaving roasted bananas and a tingle of anise.