Pussers Deptford Reserve- ABV 54.5%
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Deptford Dockyard was the Royal Navy Victualling Board’s main spirit depot in 1742. The Yard’s warehouse housed 30 storage vats which accommodated and aged over 250 thousand gallons of rum. Deptford supplied the Fleet with a flavourful blend of “Empire” rums from British Navy suppliers located in Demerara (Guyana), Trinidad, Barbados, and Jamaica. While little is known about early Admiralty specifications, “the blend” was done “in such proportion as experience had shown was preferred by the men.” To commemorate the 52nd anniversary of Black Tot Day, Pusser’s introduces its limited-edition Deptford Dockyard Reserve at Navy proof, featuring a blend of aged, high-ester distillates from Caribbean countries in Great Britain’s naval past.
COLOR: Tawny
NOSE: New leather, Toffee, Raisin / Dates and DarkChocolate
BODY: Medium
FINISH: Christmas Cake Spices and dried fruit with a suggestion of sea salt that leads to a satisfying and dry Sherry finish.
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About Pussers Rum
SINCE THE DAYS OF WOODEN SHIPS AND IRON MEN
To prepare for battle, sailors in wooden ships found revival and salvation in Pusser’s Rum, also enjoying it during their downtime. From the earliest days of the Royal Navy, sailors received a daily "tot" of rum from the ship's "Purser," later called "Pusser."
This tradition rewarded heroism and eased defeat from 1655 to 1970 when higher-ups decided rum was too much fun for the sailors. Whether due to skirmishes, antics, or just sea legs, the Royal Navy likely wanted to keep this secret—and its great taste—to themselves.
BLACK TOT DAY
The history of rum in the Royal Navy marked significant social change. From 1650 through the 18th century, the daily issue of Pusser’s Rum was a highlight amid the hardships of shipboard life. Battles required courage and alertness, unlike modern warfare. In 1970, the Admiralty Board ended the daily rum issue, deeming it unsuitable for a modern navy. On July 31st, 1970, known as Black Tot Day, the last tot of Pusser’s was drunk.
This long-standing tradition ended with sailors raising glasses in a final salute, many shedding tears as they honoured "The Queen" and bid farewell to the old custom.
"SPLICE THE MAIN BRACE!"
Great sailing ships were propelled by wind, with sails attached to spars called yards. The lines to trim the sails, called braces, included the main brace—the largest and heaviest, up to 20 inches in diameter. Splicing it was a challenging task, especially if damaged in battle. Those who “Spliced the Main Brace” received a double rum issue.
After battles, victories, or to reward the crew, the order to “Splice the Main Brace!” meant a double rum issue, signalled by hoisting a flag. Today, saying “Let’s Splice the Main Brace!” is akin to saying “Let’s have a drink!”.
WHAT IS GROG?
This traditional rum drink is part of Pusser’s Rum history. Admiral Vernon, nicknamed "Old Grog," ordered a fair division of prize money among sailors, earning their admiration. Concerned about drunkenness, he diluted their daily rum ration with water to reduce its effects. This order, issued on August 21, 1740, led to the creation of grog: Pusser’s Rum with water, lime juice, and brown cane sugar.
The practice spread throughout the British Fleet, with the grog tub becoming a daily gathering spot. Over time, the term "scuttlebutt" evolved to mean gossip, originating from sailors' habit of exchanging rumours while waiting for their grog.