Black Tot 50th Anniversary

This rum's 50th Anniversary bottling presents an intriguing composition. Limited to 5000 bottles, this full Navy Rum strength (54.5% ABV) expression is a blend of rums of various ages from Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad, and Barbados. It even incorporates a small amount of the original, legendary Navy Rum blend. My initial aroma is a mix of cereal, light toffee, malt, and rubber. This transitions smoothly to a delightful dark brown sugar with a hint of orange-pineapple-mango jam. I'd love to use that aroma as a key ingredient in baking cookies! My first taste prompted an "ooohh, this is spicy" reaction, and I did a little celebratory dance. After allowing it a few minutes to breathe, a subtle initial sweetness is met by bold, charred spices (notably anise) and tobacco. It quickly shifts to a drying, almost bitter, hop-like flavor with a hint of mint. While the flavor faded too rapidly for my preference, the comforting warmth from this pour lingered for a significant time. I appreciate the regional collaboration this blend represents and feel fortunate to have "tasted" a piece of history. 7.25/10