Pussers · British Virgin Islands
Pussers Rum Gunpowder Proof 54.5%ABV
AUD, GST included. Competitively priced.
In stock.
Any 6 bottles across your order. Applied automatically in the cart, where you will also see how close you are.
- Free delivery over $499 (excl. NT)
- Usually arrives in 4 to 12 business days
- Shipped with Australia Post
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| Category | Rum |
|---|---|
| Region | Tortola |
| Country | British Virgin Islands |
| Producer | Pussers |
| Established | 1979 |
| ABV | 54.5% |
| Size | 700ml |
Tasting note
Big, dark and bottled at full naval strength, Gunpowder Proof is Pusser's Royal Navy style rum at the original Admiralty proof of 54.5%. It follows the Admiralty's blending recipe as last used before the Navy ended the sailors' daily rum ration on 31 July 1970.
In the glass. Deep coppery amber with burnished highlights. The nose is thick with molasses and treacle, then toffee, honey and vanilla, with oak and a spice rack of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. The body is fuller and more intense than the lower strength Blue Label, and the finish is long and mellow for its strength.
The name. Before hydrometers, the ship's "Pusser" proved the rum had not been watered down by wetting a little gunpowder with it and trying to light it. If it caught, the rum was "at proof".
Serving. Add a few drops of water to open it up, or use it as the backbone of a Painkiller, which Pusser's pairs it with. More of the range is in our Pusser's Rum collection.
Guide: What Is Navy Rum? Pusser's, the Daily Tot and Black Tot Day
Navy rum is not a marketing term.
Delivery information
Most orders leave within 2 to 7 business days depending on the item. If anything is delayed we will tell you.
Free delivery on orders over $499, anywhere in Australia except the Northern Territory, which we do not deliver to. Standard rates apply below that and are calculated at checkout.
Once your order is confirmed you will receive a shipping notification with a tracking reference. Larger or mixed orders sometimes travel as more than one parcel, and you will get tracking for each.
Alcohol can only be delivered to a person aged 18 or over. The courier may ask for photo ID and will not leave your order unattended. We do not offer authority to leave on alcohol orders.
We do not deliver to PO boxes or parcel lockers.
Case minimums
Some products are sold only in cases of three, six or twelve. Where that applies it is stated above the add to cart button, not discovered at checkout.
Cases ship as a single carton. The per-case price shown includes every bottle in the case.
Others in the Pussers family:
Happy Hour Specials
Arcane Rum Arrange Vanilla 40% 700ml
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.