History
THE DAY THE RUM DIED
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 remaining rum was put into flagons and saved for special occasions like the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, or for the rarely uttered decree to ‘Splice the Main Brace’. Eventually, some flagons made their way into the hands of former officers who either drank them or else sold them on. Over the course of several years, Elixir Distillers co-founder Sukhinder Singh tracked down and purchased these last remaining flagons, and blended them together to create “Black Tot Last Consignment”.
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Our Journey
Recreating The Navy Blend: Master Blender's Reserve 2021
On 31st July 1970, the last tots of rum were issued to the Royal Navy – a day forever known as Black Tot Day. In 2020, to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of this day, our master blender set out to make an exceptional blend inspired, that would become the first of our annual Black Tot Day releases.
History
Black Tot Days Around the World
You may know of the British Navy's infamous 'Black Tot Day' on 31st July, 1970 - the day of their very last rum ration. But did other countries' naval forces have rum rations also? And if so, when did they cease? Click through to find out.