BLACK TOT Master Blender's Reserve 2023

This year, Oliver Chilton, Black Tot's Master Blender, sought to create a blend more akin to Navy rum, with a heavier mouthfeel and rich notes of wood smoke, espresso and cocoa. As always, he sought to put his own spin on the blend, this year including a rum from Grenada, distilled in 1993, to add depth and accentuate the rich orange oil notes.

He began by using rum from the perpetual blend - last year's Master Blender's Reserve. Barrels were then selected from Trinidad, Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana and Grenada. A greater proportion of Guyana has been included in this year's blend, with the thick liquorice and muscovado in this rum helping to recreate the unique flavour profiles of Navy rums of yesteryear.