Country: Various
ABV: 54.5%
Cost at Time of Purchase: £141.00
Type of Rum: Blended Rum
– B * (See End)
Hydrometer Test: 54-55% (No detectable added sugars)
“A Tasting Session of 2025’s Black Tot Master Blender’s Reserve and A Look Back at Earlier Black Tot Editions.”
Black Tot & Some History
Black Tot begins with a little look back at British Naval history. For over 300 years, the British Navy issued daily rations of rum, known as tots. They chose to discontinue this practice on 31st July 1970. This became known as Black Tot day!
That brings us neatly to the inspiration behind Elixir Distillers creating the Black Tot brand. The aim is to connect that landmark day in British Naval history. This is achieved by blending rums that have been inspired by it. Expect plenty of influence from the Caribbean nations of Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Guyana. But rums from Grenada and Australia have also featured. One of the most notable attributes from their blends is their full transparency and disclosure about the blend’s compositions. Every edition shows a precise list of the rums, including their island and distillery. Broken down by percentage of the final blend, Black Tot also shines through by keeping their rums natural and unadulterated. Specifically, “no sugar added, no flavourings, non chill-filtered, tropical and continental maturation”. As I often say, if you have good quality rums, you do not need to add rubbish to them!
I have spoken to Master Blender Oliver Chilton on a few occasions. His passion for blending is evident in the evolving flavours each year. When I first spoke with him in 2023, he was busy blending custom editions of the components of the 2023 blend. With samples of each element to hand, one can choose one’s own blend. I could not resist having my own blend, which I have opened and tasted for the first time (see below).
The range starts with “Finest Caribbean Rum” and evolves into an annual reinvention of a “Master Blender’s Reserve”. This started in 2020 with a celebration of the “50th Anniversary” of Black Tot Day. The most recent addition to the core range is the “Historic Solera Rum.”
The Tasting Notes
Here are my notes and observations of each edition. These notes were compiled following online tasting sessions with my good friend and former Royal Marine, Kevin Brooks.
Black Tot Finest Caribbean Rum 46.2%
The entry to the Black Tot range is their “Finest Caribbean Rum”. Retailing around the £40 mark, it is 46.2% ABV. My tasting notes cite fruity influences from the Barbados rum along with full-bodied Guyanese rum and a funky Jamaican. More specifically, Christmas pudding influence – baking spices, cinnamon and dried fruits. Some coffee beans and although it is a little sharp at times, the creamy mouthfeel offsets this. All in all, a great introduction to the world of Black Tot rums.
NOTE: For our tasting, we had the first edition of the “Black Tot Finest Caribbean”. The newer edition has a different blend of rums, specifically, Barbados (40.0%), Trinidad (35.0%), Guyana (20.0%) and Jamaica (5.0%).
Black Tot 50th Anniversary 54.5%
Celebrating 50 years of Black Tot Day, a limited edition blend of 5,000 bottles was produced in 2020. The first edition of what has become an annual event featured rums from Guyana (61.5%), Barbados (15.0%), Trinidad (15.0%), Jamaica (8.0%) and Original Historic Naval rum (0.5%).
Orange peel and some spicy black pepper initially. A smooth mouthfeel that belies the 54.5% ABV. Tropical fruits (banana, mango), vanilla and almonds.
This is a delightful tipple!
Black Tot Master Blender’s Reserve 2021 54.5%
The first “Master Blender’s Reserve” in 2021, had the impossible task of following 2020’s 50th Anniversary edition. Rather like having a mega number one hit single and then releasing your next song. The comparisons will always be there and no matter how good the sequel is, one usually remembers the first one.
Rums from Trinidad (42.4%), Barbados (17.7%), Guyana (13.5%), Australia (6.7%) and Jamaica (5.3%) have been blended together. Starting off an annual addition to each blend, elements of the previous year’s iteration were added. In this case the 2021 blend includes 14.1% of the 50th Anniversary Blend and 0.3%of the original Royal Navy Rum Blend.
Tropical fruit (banana, pineapple), orange peel, allspice and a floral undertone. 2021 has a dry mouthfeel and long finish. But I think the Angostura rum (Trinidad) has too much of an influence for me. The spice notes dominate over the more relaxed and enjoyable fruity ones. For me, whilst this is a decent rum, it was not my favourite edition.
NOTE: The Master Blender’s Reserve 2021 image (above) is from Black Tot’s web site.
Black Tot Master Blender’s Reserve 2022 54.5%
Guyana (29.0%), Barbados (25.0%), Trinidad (22.0%) and Jamaica (7.0%) make up the 2022 blend. As was established in the 2021 edition, a proportion of the previous year’s blend is included. In this case, 17% of the rum is from the Black Tot perpetual blend.
After being a little disappointed with 2021, 2022 entered with a full on rich, fruity and smile-inducing punch. Instantly, 2022 felt like a big and powerful rum, full of those amazing Demerara rum influences from Guyana. Caramel, chocolate nibs, cinnamon and orange peel in a very warming mouthfeel. This was a big hit in our tastings and felt like an absolutely top tot.
NOTE: The Master Blender’s Reserve 2022 image (above) is from Black Tot’s web site.
Black Tot Master Blender’s Reserve 2023 54.5%
From a big high with 2022’s edition came big expectations for 2023. Comprising rums from Guyana (31.5%), Trinidad (19.0%), Barbados (18.3%), Jamaica (9.0%) and for the first time, Grenada (2.7%). The now well established perpetual blend accounted for 19.5%. Several of these rums were very well aged. The Guyanese rums boasted ageing of up to 31 years. The Barbados rums, upto 24 years and the Grenada element was aged for 28 years. These components instantly gave the rum more oomph and body.
The ABV is unchanged each year, but 2023 felt like it was more turbo-charged. Chocolate aplenty, going between smooth and creamy and then dark and bitter. Fruity (peach, pineapple), then toffee. There was a sharpness arising and an astringent mouthfeel, coating my cheeks with a numbing effect. This did not hit the highs of 2022, but was a very good blend.
NOTE: The Master Blender’s Reserve 2023 image (above) is from Black Tot’s web site.
Black Tot Master Blender’s Reserve 2024 54.5%
Four years’ worth of the perpetual blend was available, but 2024 contained just 5%. Relying heavily on Barbados (60.0%) Master Blender Oliver Chilton aimed for a fruity influence in this year’s blend. The rest of the blend contained rums from Trinidad (25.0%), Jamaica (5.0%) and Guyana (5.0%).
From my experience, most rums from Barbados are blends of both pot and column stills. But 2024’s blend tasted very much more pot still influenced, despite the heavy Barbados’ influence. Delving more deeply into the blend, over 16% is just Barbados’ pot still. It includes a 22 year old from Mount Gay. I have tasted some well-aged Mount Gay pot still rums. I am aware that a small amount creates a big flavour profile influence. That is the case here I believe. 2024 is heavy and initially, quite bitter with licorice. It leads to oak-lead vanilla, tropical fruit (mango, pineapple) and coconut. My palate did not appreciate the heavier style of this rum overall. Again, a great tot, but other iterations fared better for me.
NOTE: The Master Blender’s Reserve 2024 image (above) is from Black Tot’s web site.
Black Tot Master Blender’s Reserve 2025 54.5%
I have now had a few tastings of this year’s blend (2025). Each time I have appreciated it more and more – a sign of a good spirit. 3,000 bottles have been released featuring rums from Guyana (40.0%), Barbados (24.0%), Jamaica (13.0%) and Trinidad (5.0%). This year’s perpetual blend made up 19% of the end product. For the first time, it contained a proportion (12.8%) of the inaugural release – the 50th Anniversary edition (see above).
Celebrating five years of Black Tot Master Blender’s Reserve, 2025 begins with a significant pot still influence. This influence comes from Worthy Park (Jamaica) and Guyana. The initial tasting offers bitter plum, licorice, but mellows somewhat with the smoother and more approachable blended Foursquare influence. This also brings some sweetness in the form of honey. There are hints of chocolate followed by tropical fruits, notably yellow bananas. The 54.5% ABV is evident throughout, with a heavy mouthfeel and robust finish.
NOTE: The Master Blender’s Reserve 2025 image (above) is from Black Tot’s web site.
Black Tot Historic Solera 46.2%
Quoting Black Tot’s own description “Black Tot Historic Solera is a rich, decadent, sherried rum. It’s expertly blended from a delicate marriage of rums from Guyana, Barbados and Jamaica”. They “have been tropically-aged for up to five years. The process to become Black Tot Historic Solera takes an additional five years of continental ageing”. This takes place “through a series of sherry maturation and blending”.
The blend features rums from Guyana (40.0%, aged 3-5 years), Barbados (35.0%, aged 5 years), Guyana (20.0%, un-aged) and Jamaica (5.0%, aged upto 5 years).
60% is aged in ex-Oloroso sherry casks and 40% in ex-Pedro Ximenez. The result is superb and very easy to drink! Plenty of tropical fruit initially and some orchard fruits. Dried fruit, notably orange peel, chocolate and a sprinkling of spicy nutmeg.
Rum Shop Boy’s Blend
I chose Barbados (50.0%), Guyana (10.0%, un-aged), Guyana (15%, aged 3-5years) and Jamaica (25.0%, aged for 3 years) for my custom blend. As a big fan of both Barbados and Jamaican rums, the bulk of my blend (75.0%) was made up of these two islands. I was expecting some softer, sweeter notes from Barbados and something a bit more fruity and funky from Jamaica.
At 46.2% ABV, I was surprised at how feisty this initially tasted. Soft black pepper at the front of the palate soon becomes fiery towards the rear, accompanied by capsicum. Rich dried fruits, baking spices, vanilla and green banana. A fruity yet dry mouthfeel contributes to a fine tot.
This is the second time we have put the Black Tot range through a side-by-side tasting session. The first time was in August 2023 and had the edition of Kevin’s perpetual “Up Spirits” blend. On that occasion, this was our ranking.
August 2023 Tasting
- Black Tot 50th Anniversary.
- Black Tot Kevin’s “Up Spirits” blend.
- Black Tot 2023 (Better than 21 & 22).
- Black Tot 2022 (Much improvement on 2021 4th position).
- Black Tot 2021 (The least favourite of the blends).
- Black Tot Finest Caribbean (Good entry Blend at 46.2%).
In our second tasting with the addition of 2024 and 2025, this was our ranking.
August 2025 Tasting
- Black Tot 50th Anniversary.
- Black Tot 2022
- Black Tot 2025
- Black Tot 2023
- Black Tot 2024
- Black Tot 2021
- Black Tot Finest Caribbean
Black Tot Master Blender’s Reserve 2025 is a Blended Rum:
A blend of pot still and traditional column still from multiple distilleries.
When tested with my hydrometer, Black Tot Master Blender’s Reserve 2025 measured 54-55% implying no detectable additives were found.
Here is a link to all of my hydrometer tests:
RumShopBoy Hydrometer Tests
Overall:
Consistently producing fine blends of rums, the Black Tot range is a great addition to anyone’s rum collection. 2025 has surpassed many previous editions, ranking behind the awesome 50th Anniversary Blend and 2022. I feel very lucky to buy and taste all of them!
Ultimately, everyone will have a different favourite blend. One of the great things about an evolving annual edition is that the brand has the opportunity to appeal to many different palates.
Which is your favourite?
We consistently considered the 50th Anniversary to be the best of the blends. The 2021 edition was consistently our least favourite.
It is worth noting that Black Tot Finest Caribbean is a fine blend of rums. It ranked last each time, but only because it was up against far more expensive and complex blends.
An honourable mention for Kevin’s “Up Spirits” blend, which held its own!
Let’s look forward to 2026!
Value: 4-6/10
Overall, Black Tot annual editions are expensive for what they are. Around £140 is pretty pricey! But that is often the case with independent bottlings and blends. I completely understand the additional costs involved, that inevitably makes the rums pricier than editions coming directly from a distillery. Being such a great blend, the 50th Anniversary stands out as being the best value. You can sometimes pick up a fairly priced version on the second hand market.
Links / Notes:
Please note, as always, I openly disclose any interests or details of relevance. A sample bottle (30ml) of 2025 was provided to me prior to this writing. Let me be clear that it in NO WAY influences my comments or opinions.
Review No: 184
Why are rums marked out of 100? Click HERE to read about how I mark a rum.
*
P Denotes the rum contains POT still distillate.
C Denotes the rum contains traditional/Coffey COLUMN still distillate.
B Denotes the rum contains a BLEND of POT and COLUMN still distillate.
M Denotes the rum contains MULTI-COLUMN still distillate or is a MODERN rum.
A Denotes the rum is an AGRICOLE i.e. from Cane Juice.
S Denotes the rum is presented in a SWEETENED style.
Single Blended Rum: A blend of pot still and traditional column still from a single distillery.
Pure Single Rum: 100% Pot Still from a single distillery
Pure Single Agricole Rum: 100% Pot Still from cane juice
Single Blended Rum – A blend of pot still and traditional column still from a single distillery.
Traditional Rum: From a traditional column still.
Modern Rum: From a modern multi column still.
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