
Tot of the day
"I have Social Disease. I have to go out every night. If I stay home one night I start spreading rumours to my dogs."
Andy Warhol

Tales of the Tot
50 Years of Black Tot Day: Recreating the Navy Blend
This year we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Black Tot Day, on which the Royal Navy officially brought to an end the 239-year-old tradition of the daily rum ration. The day itself is a bittersweet occasion within the rum lover’s calendar – in one respect, it’s an excuse for rum fanatics and former navy crews to get together and share a dram, on the other hand, it marks the loss of one of the world’s most fascinating rum blends.

Tales of the Tot
The Black Tot Journal: A Beginner Learns About Colour in Rum
Want to start learning about rum but have no idea where to begin? Fear not! Our resident rum novice has just began her journey into rum and is happy to share her learnings. First up: colour and rum. What does the colour of a rum mean? Does it really mean anything? Read on to find out...

Tales of the Tot
Rum is coming for whisky's throne
For many years now, the world of rum has been slowly bubbling away in the background – the passion project of a particularly niche set of Hawaiian-shirt wearing aficionados who for the most part kept themselves to themselves. They were occasionally found in underground dens like Notting Hill’s Trailer Happiness, comfortably changing between daiquiris and Piña Coladas to exceptional neat sippers, all the while exchanging knowing nods of mutual appreciation that they were members of this secret sugarcane spirits society. For just as many years, writers have touted rum as ‘the next big thing!’ only to find these prophetic pronouncements fall upon barren ground with whisky lovers. However, the times they are a changin’.

Our Journey
THE LOST FLAGONS
The last flagons of Royal Navy Rum had to end up somewhere… And this is where our journey with them began. We also found some other interesting remnants from the angel’s share.

Our Journey
A RUM FOR TODAY
We wanted to respect the tradition that continues to inspire us, but create something new for the tastes of today - enter, Black Tot Finest Caribbean. And where to next?

Our Journey
THE HEART OF THE TOT
Here's what happened with the discovery of five casks of 40-year-old Demerara rum...

Our Journey
Long Live the Tot!
Black Tot Day in 1970 ended a relationship between the British Armed Forces and their favourite drink and the sailors of the of the time mourned the loss of their rum. But this loss led to society’s gain...

History
RUM SETS SAIL ON THE SEVEN SEAS
Alcohol was always carried on board Royal Navy ships, but in the 1600s a new type of spirit emerged…

History
THE FIRST RUM RATIONS ARE ISSUED
The beginning of rum rations, the origins of the ‘grog’ and a possible cocktail creation...

History
THE NAVY RUM BLEND
The Royal Navy became accidental, yet pioneering, blenders. As for choosing between rum or money, which do you think the sailors favoured?

History
THE DAY THE RUM DIED
1970 marked the end of the navy rum ration on ‘Black Tot Day'. But eventually, the fate of the last of the liquid crossed our path.