Post #356359 by martiki on Mon, Jan 21, 2008 3:53 PM

Aloha!

As part of our Rumfest 2008 celebration, we are pleased to announce that Forbidden Island is now offering for sale one of the rarest and most historically significant rums in the world: British Royal Navy Imperial Rum.

This unique rum is among the last remaining stocks of rum that represented over 300 years of Royal Navy tradition. The association of rum with the British Royal Navy began in 1655 when the British fleet captured the island of Jamaica. With the availability of domestically produced rum, the British changed the daily ration of liquor given to seamen from French brandy to rum. The daily ritual was as follows: at six bells, the boatswain's whistle signaled "Up Spirits" and the crew assembled for their daily "tot" (as the ration was called). The rum was poured into a special bowl inscribed to the King and tots were dispensed with great ceremony.

While the ration was originally given neat, or mixed with lime juice, the practice of watering down the rum began around 1740. To help minimize the effect of the alcohol on his sailors, Admiral Edward Vernon directed that the rum ration be watered down before being issued, a mixture which became known as grog in honor of the grogram cloak Admiral Vernon wore in rough weather. The addition of lime juice, which helped to prevent scurvy, earned the British the nickname “limeys.”

According to Royal Naval legend, after his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, Admiral Horatio Nelson's body was preserved in a cask of rum to allow transport back to England. Upon arrival, however, the cask was opened and found to be empty of rum. The pickled body was removed and, upon inspection, it was discovered that the sailors had drilled a hole in the bottom of the cask and drunk all the rum, in the process drinking Nelson's blood. Thus, this tale serves as a basis for the term “Nelson's Blood” being used to describe rum.

By the early 1900s, the ration had been reduced to one-eighth of a pint. Because the quantity was reduced, the Sea Lords demanded that quality standards increase. Rum brokers experimented with blending and the formulas eventually became closely guarded secrets. They carried over the older rum blend in a technique akin to the Solera system for sherry or in the old Cognac Houses. This created a layered, rich, noble rum.

Although the American Navy ended the daily rum ration on September 1, 1862, the ration continued in the Royal Navy. On January 28, 1970 the "Great Rum Debate" took place in the House of Commons, and on July 31, 1970 the last pipe of "Up Spirits" in the Royal Navy was heard and is referred to today as "Black Tot Day."

After Black Tot Day, the remaining stock silently aged in bonded underground warehouses in Jamaica under the authority and supervision of the British Government who owned the old stock. Until recently, the final stores of this special rum have been reserved for important naval and Royal functions. It was last served by the Crown at the wedding of Prince Andrew, a Royal Navy Officer. This rum, commissioned over 50 years ago, has been kept in its original Imperial gallon containers. Measuring 4.54 liters, the demijohns are handmade ceramic jars, encased in hand-woven wicker baskets designed to transport well on the high seas.

Forbidden Island is fortunate to have acquired a demijohn of this rum, and is pleased to offer this taste of history to our guests. F. Paul Pacult of the prestigious Spirit Journal gives this rum five stars, his highest recommendation. Experience for yourself the last drops of three centuries of tradition.

(credit to wikipedia and rum numb davey for the writeup)