On July 31st 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 known as Black Tot Day.

Forty years on, the last consignment of the original rum has been bottled from the original imperial gallon stone flagons into which it has been filled and sealed under HM Customs & Excise supervision in December 1970.

Black Tot – Last Consignment is a unique rum that represents over 300 years of Royal Naval Tradition. It is effectively, a piece of history. Since 1970 the rum has sat silently in bonded warehouses, and was only brought out for State occasions and Royal weddings.

The rum is presented beautifully in a traditional glass rum bottle sealed with black wax. It is stored in a black walnut box with a brass plaque and a certificate of authenticity. It also comes with a tot cup, typical of those used to carry out rum rations all those years ago made of copper and lined with silver, and an 80-page book on the history of rum in naval tradition written by renowned rum expert Dave Broom.

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.