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Pusser’s Gunpowder Proof Rum for sale

A 17th century British Navy seaman’s life was not easy.

“To prepare for a showdown, the iron men in their wooden ships found in Pusser’s Rum both revival and salvation, as well as companionship for downtime reverie.” From the beginning of the Royal Navy, these daring souls were given a daily ration or “tot” of rum by the ship’s “Purser,” a term the sailors ultimately shortened to “Pusser.”

Pusser’s Rum is a tradition born of need. A gallon of beer was initially the daily drink ration for English seamen. This was not sustainable. Rum finally supplanted beer in 1655 because of the higher ABV and lower quantity required.

However, greater ABV levels resulted in widespread inebriation onboard British naval fleets, which became an issue. It was therefore decided to dilute the rum rations, and servings became controlled in 1740 with the implementation of a rum ratio of 4:1.

Shipboard living was extremely harsh from the mid-seventeenth to the early-eighteenth centuries. A diary kept by a member of the British Navy, George Hodge, illustrates the daily challenges and minutiae of a sailor’s life. His 500-page journal detailed the 192 configurations of the ship’s huge billowing sails: 1. The enemy is in sight, 2. Prepare for battle, 10. The enemy is fleeing at full speed… Imagine being expected to perform any of these formations on the spur of the moment, let alone while under the influence.

Not to add the constant threat even while the ships were not engaged in combat… “On December 26, 1812, there is a record that says, “A fresh breeze a strange sail in sight.” Empl is painting the quarterdeck. Mathew Donelson drowned after falling from the top mast.” Another note states that: “July 19 light breeze at 5am picked up body of John Carter and buried him on the Isle of White.”

“The highlight of the day was the daily issue of Pusser’s Rum.” Battles used to be fought “eyeball-to-eyeball.” Packing a cannonball into a muzzle loader demanded a high level of mental acuity and attentiveness.

As a result, on July 31, 1970, the Admiralty Board discontinued the daily distribution of Pusser’s Rum in the Royal Navy. Since then, this occasion has been dubbed “Black Tot Day.” One of the longest unbroken traditions in maritime history was the rum supply.

Charles Tobias revived the ancient recipe in 1979, creating Pusser’s Ltd. in the British Virgin Islands. His company makes Pusser’s Rum in accordance with the Admiralty’s mixing instructions and traditions, including using wooden pot stills as has been done for over 200 years.

The 36th anniversary of Black Tot Day is commemorated by Pusser’s Gunpowder Proof, the last rum distributed by the modern Royal Navy to its enlistees in 1970. This aged overproof version is bottled at 54.5% ABV, the Admiralty’s penultimate formula, and distilled using 18th century vintage wooden pot stills from Guyana’s Demerara River Valley, which give a depth of taste and infuse the rum with a wealth of esters.

Purchase your Pusser’s Gunpowder Proof Rum today!

Rum history allegedly started in the Carribiens in the 17th century when they started to ferment and distill molasses, a byproduct of sugar production. Most of the Rum is aged in oak or ex-wine casks, giving its color and flavor.

We distinguish between 4 different Rum categories, where white or unaged rum is mainly used in cocktails, while dark, spiced, and añejo (aged) rum are mostly enjoyed neat.