Black Tot Day: The End of a Maritime Tradition

Introduction

Have you ever heard of ‘Black Tot Day’?
On July 31, 1970, the British Royal Navy ended a tradition that had been part of daily life for over 300 years—the issuing of a daily rum ration to its sailors. This day, forever known as Black Tot Day, marked the end of an era, where rum played a vital role in life at sea. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the fascinating history of this tradition, why it came to an end, and why Black Tot Day remains a special date for rum enthusiasts around the world.

The First Vintage of Jacques Bally: A 1924 Rhum with a Story to Tell

Intro

Since we introduced the Agricoles from Martinique on our blog a few weeks ago, we now want to spotlight one of the most iconic and rare bottles from Martinique:
The first aged Vintage Rhum from Jacques Bally – distilled back in 1924! This bottle truly contains liquid history, not only because of its nearly century-long age but even more because there are just a handful of other Vintage Rhums from Martinique from this era – like some other J.Bally and St. James bottles.

Exploring Rarity and Excellence: 4 Legendary Rum Bottlings by Cadenhead's

All eyes on … 4 of the rarest and surely most extraordinarily Rums in terms of history and even more – in quality!

Surely we are talking about those 4 legendary 1964 Port Morant bottlings – distilled in the Double Wooden Pot Still at Uitvlugt Distillery. That famouse wooden Still was removed at the closed Port Morant Distillery  and rebuild at Uitvlugt Distillery in the middle oft he last century. Bottled by the legendary independent bottler William Cadenhead, founded back in the year 1842.

Trinidad's Rich History and the Legacy of Caroni Rum Distillery

Nestled in the southern Caribbean, Trinidad is a vibrant island with a history as rich and diverse as its culture. From the indigenous peoples who first inhabited its shores to the colonial powers that shaped its destiny, Trinidad's story is one of resilience, innovation, and the blending of cultures.

The Last Caroni - 1996 Velier 23 Year Old

The Caroni distillery, founded in 1918 and in 1937 taken over by Tate & Lyle (British sugar giant),  was once a major supplier of high-proof rum to the British Navy. In the 1970s the Trinidad Government purchased Caroni. After years of decline in the sugar industry, Caroni was closed in 2003. Angostura and Velier acquired much of the remaining stock, with Luca Gargano of Velier playing a key role. Gargano launched the first Caroni bottlings in 2005 and made a significant impact on the rum landscape.