On the 31st of July 1970, a 300-year-old Royal Naval tradition ended at precisely 6 bells in the forenoon watch, when the last rum ration was issued aboard ships of the British Royal Navy; a day to be forever remembered as Black Tot Day.
Forty years on, in 2010, as a mark of respect to this wonderful tradition, Elixir Distillers launched Black Tot Last Consignment a blend of rum made up of the very last remaining stocks of Royal Navy rum that had been discovered in naval warehouses in Dartmouth and Deptford. This historic rum had sat dormant for over 30 years, only seeing the light of day on state occasions and Royal weddings.
In 2019 Elixir Distillers launched a new, accessible rum that pays homage to the history of naval rum whilst turning the style on its head. Black Tot rum is a blend of some of the finest spirits from Barbados, Guyana and Jamaica, creating a modern, versatile and multi-layered rum that appeals to rum and whisky lovers across all seas.
Black Tot Finest Caribbean Rum
Black Tot Finest Caribbean is a blend of the finest Caribbean rums tropically aged from Barbados, Trinidad, Guyana, and Jamaica. Inspired by the historical navy blend, evolved for the tastes of today. With rounded, rich notes of tropical fruits, cocoa, and cinnamon; it’s perfect for sipping neat, with a depth and complexity that stands out in rum cocktails.
46.2% ABV
Nose: A tropical mix of ripe guava, passion fruit, green bananas, and toasted cinnamon.
Palate: A carnival of fruit flavors. Pineapples and bananas from Jamaica, apricots and stone fruits from Trinidad, with Barbados contributing vanilla, coconut, and buttery Oak. Guyana adds depth with butterscotch, molasses, dates, and figs.
Finish: Cocoa butter, caramel, toffee, and lingering spices create a moreish rum that leaves you wanting more.
40% 5-year Barbados pot/column still
35% 2-4 year Trinidad column still
10% 3-5 year Guyana pot/column still
10% unaged Guyana pot/column still
5% 3-year high ester Jamaica pot still
2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition – Double Gold, 97 points
2023 Ultimate Spirits Challenge – 93 pts.
2023 Global Rum & Cachaca Masters – Master
2021 London Spirits Competition – 91 points, Gold
Black Tot Historic Solera
Black Tot Historic Solera is a decadent and elegant rum which has been aged in oak barrels that have been seasoned with Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Sherries, before being further aged through a traditional 3-tier Solera process.
Solera’s magic lies in blending rums of various ages. The younger rum interacts with the concentrated essence of older expressions, acquiring richer characteristics with each step. This continuous marriage between these various aging rums results in a rum showcasing remarkable depth and character.
Historic Solera is best enjoyed neat and in bold, rum-forward cocktails.
46.2% ABV
Nose: The nose is a decadent blend of figs, plums, chocolate, and fudge, with warming spices emerging.
Palate: On the palate, rich, velvety textures embrace flavors of dark chocolate and a subtle coffee undertone.
Finish: A hint of citrus zest brightens the experience alongside the ripe tropical fruit notes; leading to a satisfyingly dry finish with lingering spice and dried fruit.
40% Guyana Style Aged 3-5 year Guyana pot/column still
35% Barbados 5 Year pot/column still
20% Guyana Style Unaged unaged Guyana pot/column still
5% Jamaica Aged 3 year high ester pot still
Black Tot Master Blender’s Reserve 2022
For Master Blender’s Reserve 2022, we drew, inspiration from historical rums in our collection and the unique flavor profiles they exhibited over half a century ago. These rums, since lost in the rum world, were rich with notes of baked banana, dusty chocolate, mocha milkshakes, honey, tobacco, leather, licorice, and spice. These flavors were mapped out and became our guide.
We began as always with rum drawn from our perpetual blend – our Master Blender’s Reserve from last year, which has been aging in Sherry casks since last Black Tot Day.
Casks were then selected from Barbados. Guyana. Jamaica. and Trinidad that showcased 1he elements needed to recreate these traditional flavor profiles.
These four unique country blends were then brought together and married with our perpetual reserve. layered and perfectly balanced to bring you Master Blender’s Reserve 2022.
NOSE: Melted chocolate nibs and roasted hazelnuts are offset against warm orange and cinnamon sticks with a background of mixed tropical juice and cassis. Blackcurrant and raspberry leaf start to come to the fore with time in the glass.
PALATE: Initial flavors of milk chocolate and raisins are complimented with cafe latte and ripe banana. A touch of aniseed balances against a light hint of tropical fruit and a wonderful, rich baked Demerara sugar top to a creme caramel.
FINISH: Cinnamon and nutme9 spice along with chilli and cocoa linger for an age.
29% Guyana Blend
25% Barbados Blend
7% Jamacia Blend
22% Trinidad Blend
17% Perpetual Blend
2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition – Double Gold, 97 points (2023 Edition)
2023 Ultimate Spirits Challenge – 97 pts., Top 100 Spirits, Chairman’s Trophy
2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition – Double Gold
2023 IWSC – Spirit Gold Outstanding, 98 Points
2023 Global Rum & Cachaca Masters – Master
Black Tot Last Consignment
NOSE: Initial treacle notes precede dark chocolate with super-ripe black fruits, muscovado sugar and walnuts. A drop of water releases flavours of black banana, liquorice root and tamarind paste with an exotic edge of balsamic.
PALATE: Starts off thick and sweet with a burst of cassis, black coffee and cacao, leading into a finish of scented wood, forest fruits and cigar tobacco. Truly dark and powerful, with a century of rum-making craft showing in every drop.
FINISH: Very long with light scented wood, black fruits and cigar tobacco.