Gunroom Navy Rum

Gunroom Navy Spirits as a line up comprises a Navy Gin, a London Dry Gin and this, a Navy Rum. As a product line they are owned by (Lars) Renbjer and (Martin) Magnusson AB over in Sweden and I’ll cut to the chase…..you’ll need to purchase this particular bottle from Europe as it is not on general sale here. In fact it’ll be hitting the states before we get a look in. Fortunately there are several online French retailers that carry Gunroom Navy Rum…..but purchase it you should.

Gunroom Navy Rum – 65% abv

This Rum, as clearly stated on the label is a blend of Rums from Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Guyana and is issued at 65% abv…..the label states Gunpowder Proof but to my understanding that is 57.15% abv….but then again Pussers Gunpowder Proof is issued at 54.5% abv…..anyhow…I exchanged a few emails with Lars Renbjer a while back and essentially the desire of Lars and Martin was to create an older style Navy Rum inspired by and harking back to the earlier style of Navy Rums of 1800-1820, prior to them becoming standardised by the Admiralty. The Rum is a blend of aged Rums from both pot and column distillation and this gives a lot of character to what should just be a huge powerhouse.

The blend comprises the following components:

• A blend of 2 to 5-year-old tropically aged Rums from Barbados
• A blend of 2 to 5-year-old tropically aged Rums from Trinidad
• A young Demerara Rum from Guyana
• A large percentage of 3-year-old tropically aged light pot still Rum from Jamaica
• The last element accounting for about 1% of the product is a ‘top dresser’ of an undisclosed Rum that Lars believes gives a lot of character to the final blend

These components are then blended at their original proof in Europe and allowed to marry prior to bottling…..no reduction in abv takes place and therefore the 65% is reflective of the %abv of the constituent parts.

 

Tasting Notes

In the glass: The Rum displays itself as a brilliant straw gold, almost like apple juice. I used my NEAT glass for taking the majority of my notes but either way, the first thing that hits you is a really heavy hit of alcohol vapours given the abv of this blend. The NEAT glass does a really good job of dissipating those vapours and allowing everything else to come through. Straight away the initial notes are very Jamaican. Pot still is apparent along with overripe bananas and a light but definitely present astringent nail polish. Oak is apparent but not dominant on the nose and that leads into a calm, warming toffee/vanilla note. I’d also say that there seems to be something decidedly Cuban about the nose as there is a little bit of a light oaky leather present (top dresser maybe?). It does seem to display its youth in the nose and there is a raw Guyanan quality to it.

In the mouth: It is a bit of a beast initially. There is an oiliness to it but a lighter body to the Rum than I anticipated. The peppery alcohol kicks like a mule and the Rum initially feels entirely Guyanan as the pungent oak and lightly bittersweet treacle starts to dominate. A fruitiness is present but it carries itself as a dark spiced fruitcake full of raisins and stewed plums rather than a light fruitiness which I would’ve expected given the Barbados component. It all feels very youthful and there is a lot fighting for your attention….its like a puppy dog, constantly pawing at your legs for you to notice it. Further sips reveal the light cooked banana fruitiness of the Jamaican component but the drying oak ushers that out-of-the-way and walks off into the sunset as the Rum slowly, very slowly, fades with a final hint of that tobacco and a whiff of smoke.

When using the right glass to allow the vapours to dissipate or using a good few drops of water, this Rum really opens up and displays a lot of character. This opens up the fruitiness slightly and allows a more mellow experience to be had. It certainly makes it more approachable but a less is more approach to the water is better as I found that it got quite heated initially before it calmed down.

Whilst it is a massively drinkable Rum that is enjoyable neat and with a little water, where I believe it really shines though is as a component of a Mai Tai. I love playing about with the Rums in a Mai Tai and this Rum really has enough going on to provide a hugely entertaining experience. Its interesting enough to really add character to one of my favourite drinks with its differing components whilst still being powerful enough to provide the backbone to hang the other flavours onto. It’s a winner with me.

© Steven James and Rum Diaries Blog 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material, both written and photographic without the express and written permission from this blog/sites author and owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Steven James and Rum Diaries Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Advertisement

Pusser’s Commemorates the 45th Black Tot Day Anniversary

*Press Release*

Pusser’s Rum commemorates the 45^th Anniversary of Black Tot Day

Original Royal Navy rum proudly sponsors The Beach at Camden Roundhouse

Marking the 45^th anniversary of Black Tot Day, Pusser’s Rum has partnered with the Roundhouse for the third year running, to launch the return of Camden Beach this summer. The partnership will see the brand create a ‘Rum Shack’ with full branding and bar presence reaching new, younger consumers.

Festivities to commemorate the end of the tot will kick off at 5pm on the 31^st July where VIP guests will be able to enjoy a cocktail masterclass hosted by International Rum Ambassador Ian Burrell, learn the history of the Pusser’s Rum Painkiller and Soggy Dollar Bar from George Freegard, General Manager at Pusser’s Rum and partake in an Up Spirits call!

Festivities are set to take place around the country with Black Tot Day POS available to all stockists. Lab Bar in London have put together a limited edition drinks menu featuring five cocktails, from the Navy Swizzle to the Pusser’s Grog.

This will be the third year that the award-winning rum has been involved with Camden Beach and Peter Thornton, Brand Manager at Pusser’s, comments: “We are really excited to be partnering once again with The Roundhouse. With this year being the big 45^th anniversary we have had a great response from venues throughout the country for our POS and what better way to commemorate the end of the tot than by enjoying an ‘Up Spirits’ with your feet in the sand!”

Join the Pusser’s team and sample the legendary rum from 5pm on the 31^st July 2015 at The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, London, NW1 8EH.

*End*

We can’t be there ourselves but we’d recommend that if you too are unable to attend, you pick up a bottle of Pusser’s (or two) and celebrate at home with a Painkiller or a Navy Grog.

Although we are not affiliated in any way with Drinkshop, they have some wonderful offers on Pusser’s at the moment that see you snag a free bottle of Original Grog Mix with ANY Pusser’s expression….click here now and support the cause! We have!

© Steven James and Rum Diaries Blog 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material, both written and photographic without the express and written permission from this blog/sites author and owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Steven James and Rum Diaries Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Pusser’s Rum proudly sponsors The Beach at Camden’s Roundhouse

*Press Release*

The UK’s original navy rum, Pusser’s, has partnered with the Roundhouse this summer to launch the long-awaited return of Camden Beach, a 900 sq metre terrace filled with 150 tonnes of the finest sand, end-of-the-pier amusements, pop-up food stalls, beach huts, ping-pong, live music and a showcase of summer drinks brands. The partnership between the historic venue and rum makers Pusser’s, sees the brand sponsoring one of the iconic beach huts, creating a ‘Rum Shack’ with full branding and bar presence.

Proceedings kick off on 24^th July with a VIP launch party, followed by a nod to the brand’s naval roots with celebrations to mark Black Tot Day on 31^st July. Pusser’s will be holding masterclasses with Rum Ambassador Ian Burrell, rum tastings throughout, and serving Grog cocktails inspired by the old navy tale of Admiral Vernon, who was known as The Grog.

During the summer, the famous Pusser’s cocktail, The Painkiller, will also be served which will feature Coco Re’al – also distributed by Cellar Trends.

This is the second year that Pusser’s has been involved with Camden Beach and Peter Thornton, Brand Manager at Pusser’s, comments: “It is a very cool event, bringing something different and unique to London. On 31 July we will be inviting some navy guys along for Black Tot Day celebrations to share their sea-faring tales with the Camden crowd to help spread the word about this important day and the Navy Tot Fund. Throughout the summer, there’s a great atmosphere and backdrop and it provides an excellent opportunity for us to reach new consumers with both Pusser’s Rum and Coco Re’al.”

Join the Pusser’s team and sample the legendary rum on the 31^st July 2014 at The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, London, NW1 8EH

It’s a crying shame that I’m based up here in the North West with a (relatively) sensible day job, Pusser’s Rum is a staple at Rum Diaries HQ in both its Blue Label and 15 Year Old forms………….but if you live anywhere near, you should weigh anchor and chart a course for the Roundhouse……Up Spirits!

© Steven James and Rum Diaries Blog 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material, both written and photographic without the express and written permission from this blog/sites author and owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Steven James and Rum Diaries Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.