July 31, 1970 marked the end to a centuries old Navy tradition, the last day the British Royal Navy received its last daily rum ration – a tradition that had been in place for 200 years. That day became known as Black Tot Day.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Black Tot Day, Black Tot Rum, a rum inspired by hundreds of years of Navy tradition, will be hosting a special event celebrating the World of Rum.
About the Event
On Friday 31st July, you are invited to join them on Black Tot Rum Facebook Live for the 50th Anniversary of Black Tot Day where they will be hosting the world’s first ever live 24-hour Rum Festival!
The Navy Rum itself was a blend of many different countries and rum traditions from all around the world, and so for the 50th Anniversary it seemed fitting to celebrate many of the key rum regions that were influential in this historic blend.
Joining them for the 24 hours will be some of the greatest rum makers and blenders from around the world today, as well as many of the key figures who are helping to develop and progress the rum category in their local bars and community. There’ll be a huge amount of rum education, and discussion of great rums to taste along with at home, as we look at the past, present, and future of the rum world.
Staying up for the whole 24 hours will be their hosts, Mitch Wilson (Global Ambassador, Black Tot Rum) & Dawn Davies (Head Buyer – and rum lover – at The Whisky Exchange).
They’ll be kicking off the 24 hour celebrations at 10am on Friday 31st July, then raising a tot around the world at ‘six bells in the forenoon’ (11am UK time) to commemorate the very moment that the last navy rum ration, the ‘Black Tot’, was served 50 years ago that day. So set your alarms, pour yourself a tot of rum, and tune into Black Tot Rum Facebook Live, as they bring you a once in a lifetime celebration of rum!
Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/blacktotrum/ Facebook Live
Spirits lovers can join the exploration of blended Caribbean rums through a host of sessions and discussion, including:
- 7 a.m. EST: “The Pillars of Navy Rum” – offers a look at rums from the different Caribbean Islands that would have made up the final Navy Rum Blend
- 8:30 a.m. EST: “Tropical vs Continental Ageing” – examines the different results achieved when aging rum in different locations
- 11:30 a.m. EST: “The Evolution of Dock Rums” – dives into the independent bottlers who bring exotic Caribbean rum to the rest of the globe
- 1:00 p.m. EST: “Ageing at Sea” – Featuring guest hosts Alexandre Gabriel (Plantation Rum) and Don Benn (West Indies Rum Distillery) the discussion focuses on the ‘Dynamic Ageing’ that took place when the barrels were transported by sea, causing an increased interaction between the rum and the barrel
- 4 a.m. EST: Event Finale – The event culminates with a virtual trip to famous rum clubs around the world, such as the Sydney Rum Club, Florida Rum Club and Rum Symposium Europe.
The full schedule can be found here.
All session times are UK Time.
The event ends at 10:00am on August 1 with the Tall Ships Toast:
There are tall ships,
And there are small ships,
And there are ships that sail the sea,
But the best ships, are friendships,
So here’s to you and me!
