Black Tot Rum
Black Tot Rum, NAS, 46.2 %
I recently had the chance to taste the Black Tot Rum from Elixir Distillers, including tasting the individual component parts making up the end product.
The Black Tot Rum is composed using rum from Guyana, Barbados and Jamaica. This is a rum in the British Naval rum tradition. See the official website for details.
Regarding the name Black Tot, there is a lot of history. Here’s a brief intro:
In 1970, it was voted in Parliament to stop the rum ration given fears surrounding the more complex technology now in operation across the navy. Funerals were held for ‘the day the rum died’ and 31st July 1970 became forever known as BLACK TOT DAY.
The 31st July 1970 will always be remembered for a “barbaric act by government” - as eloquently put by John Hume (former Royal Navy Stores Accountant) - stealing away the sailors’ rum, and ending over 200 years of tradition.
Below you will find my tasting notes on the end product, and then the detailed notes on each component part. I must say I am mightily impressed with the Master Blender’s efforts here. This is a clear cut example of the end product being (much) greater than just the sum of the parts. Highly enjoyable exercise!
You can buy the Black Tot Rum in Norway at NOK 799 (12160301), in Sweden at SEK 498 (4074001), and in the UK at around GBP 40.
Nose: White pepper, sugary sweetness, hints of green vegetables. Memories of cool funkiness. All in all it feels both cool and balanced. This rum is not easily ruffled.
Taste: Medium body and medium sweetness. Much like the nose. There’s a mild spiciness - mainly white pepper, and mixed fruits. Then there is a backdrop of greener notes, with a touch of that funky stuff. With time there is a lovely, deep sweetness of earthy vanilla.
Finish: Medium long finish. Very smooth. Caramel and deeper sugary sweetness now. Hints of mint, cut grass and basil.
Comment: Surprisingly easy drinking and complex at the same time. Certainly highly enjoyable.
Score 87/100
Breakdown of the component parts
As mentioned above I got the chance to taste all the four component parts of the blend that makes up the Black Tot Rum. Here are my detailed notes on each component.
Guyana II 3-5 YO, 40 % component, 46.2 %
Nose: Sweeter on the nose. More sugary and more fruity. Lots of vanilla and marshmallow.
Taste: Medium to full bodied. Again smoother and more sugary sweet than the end product. Honey, nuts and vanilla.
Finish: Medium long finish. Does not really develop any further.
Comment: Sweet and simple, simply sweet,
Score 82/100
Barbados 5 YO, 35 % component, 46.2 %
Nose: Perhaps the closest to the end product so far, but the sweetness is lighter and less complex. Again there are hints of green herbs and mild funkiness.
Taste: Medium to skinny body. White sugar, vanilla and white pepper. Basil and thyme. Assorted fruits.
Finish: Medium to short finish. Greener and less sweet towards the end.
Comment: The fruity one.
Score 80/100
Guyana I unaged, 20 % component, 46.2 %
Weirdly enough this is the darkest one - unaged?!
Nose: Hmm..even sweeter, but it is a darker sweetness than the Guyana II. This is more molasses and demerara like in style. In the background there is a vague hint of funkiness as well.
Taste: Full bodied and dark sweetness. Burnt caramel, and I what I would call toasted oak - but it says it is unaged so what gives? Quite dry in character. Soft fruitiness buried way in the back.
Finish: Medium long finish. Darker, more burnt and dry towards the end.
Comment: This was not really all that pleasant on its own. The burnt caramel notes are too aggressive.
Score 78/100
Jamaica 3 YO, 5 % component, 46.2 %
Nose: Hello, funky town! This I can dig! Lots of tropical fruits, vanilla and mild spices. Funky funkiness - you just now the farmyard is right around the corner!
Taste: Medium body and below medium sweetness. Vanilla, green herbs, and tropical fruits.
Finish: Medium long finish. Continues much as it started.
Comment: Very fine, indeed.
Score 85/100
