Pusser's Rum Gunpowder Proof (Black Label)

Rating: 15/23 This rum purports to be the most accurate recreation of the British Navy's traditional rum (although it is bottled slightly below navy strength). Similar to government-issued cheese, many people are fans of these historically provided government staples. I've often wondered if nostalgia is the sole reason for the acclaim or if some accidentally brilliant products have been lost to time. This might not be the exact British Navy rum, but it's the closest I'll likely get to an answer. Nose: Rich and full. Molasses with a tart nuttiness reminiscent of oloroso sherry. There's also a certain funkiness, which I'm struggling to pinpoint but definitely leans towards hogo. At times, soy sauce and barbecue sauce notes emerge, contributing a savory dimension. Palate: Sweet molasses with hints of caramel and even maple. It possesses a pleasant tannic quality suggesting woodiness, though it doesn't taste overly woody. I detect the tartness and nuttiness from the nose. It's not the most intense oloroso flavor, but I do get a bit of that character. There's definite spiciness, with notes of ginger, cinnamon, and even a touch of juniper. The standard barrel char mingles with a hint of fireworks and some dark Venezuelan chocolate. Subtle hints of savory meat appear occasionally, but I wouldn't specifically identify soy sauce or barbecue sauce. While not overpowering, I do get faint traces of tropical fruit, mainly banana, lime, and grapefruit. Finish: The bitter side of molasses and wood. Funky without being excessively fiery. Not incredibly complex, but some spice and tropical fruit notes remain. It's a long-lasting, full finish. - Conclusion - I enjoy this. It lacks refinement, and the aging process seems either accelerated or simulated, but it offers several bold flavors that interact, making it enjoyable to drink. It's a nicely complex dark rum with well-executed flavors and a pleasant fullness. This is certainly a rum that can be sipped neat and would also serve well as a mixer. It has a forceful quality similar to Elijah Craig B520, but it lacks the maturity, refinement, and complexity. However, the B520 sets an exceptionally high standard. Its quality is closer to Plantation Xaymaca, which, despite its distinct tropical fruitiness, shares a similar edge. I can't see this scoring lower than a 14, but I'm struggling to rate it above a 16. A faint possibility of a 17 exists, but it seems improbable. Comparing it to Russell's Reserve 10 – my benchmark for a lower-end 16 for bourbon, but comparable enough here – this possesses a fullness and richness that I appreciate, but it's not quite as good. Based on that comparison, this will be a 14 or 15. I'm settling on 15.

The Container: Quite plain, resembling a bottle from 1973. It's not bad, just not visually striking. In the Glass: A light bronze color, appearing dark orange when held to the light. On the Aroma: Due to the 54% ABV, a few drops of water are needed to approach it. Once mellowed, it reveals a distinct molasses sweetness. It has a heavy, wintery, British dessert character (almost needing a spoon) layered with something savory. Clear black pepper notes complement the sweetness. Its complexity is moderate, engaging without being overwhelming. Taste: This presents with molasses sweetness, developing a citrus note and finishing with pepper and bitterness. The progression is quite swift and remains largely unchanged even with resting. The savory-bitter finish suggests it's better suited for mixed drinks than as a solo sipper (which, admittedly, isn't its intended use). I'm not sure I've encountered a rum with such a finish. The savory-peppery aspect could work well in a Tiki drink, given its over-proof nature, but precise balance would be crucial. If you seek a solid sipping spirit, look elsewhere. As a mixer, it's challenging to endorse this over options like Plantation O.F.T.D or Smith & Cross; however, it could certainly find a place in the right cocktail.

Caramel-coated sugar cookie Aroma after a 15-minute rest: Browned salted butter, spice, medium caramel, dark molasses, dates, hint of banana Palate: Salted butter, cane sugar, and dark caramel with molasses greet the taste buds. The molasses flavor persists as the other notes fade. Later, subtle banana fruitiness appears with a touch of baking spices on the finish, ending with a burnt marshmallow/caramel sensation. Moderately long finish.

A higher alcohol traditional British Navy rum (formerly known as Blue Label) produced using an Admiralty blending formula and bottled at 54.5% ABV. It begins aromatically with notes of sugar cane, stewed and dried fruits, wood, herbs, and spices; a rich and full character develops with notes of dates, prunes, and slightly overripe figs, leading to a long and dark, syrupy conclusion. June 2017.

Aroma: Citrus with a hint of smoke. Palate: Woody, earthy, quite dark and substantial. Finish: Unexpectedly mellow given the intensity of the flavor.

Hints of raisins (though I may be the only one detecting that), pleasant sweetness yet quite potent on its own (neat).