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B-21 Top Recommendation
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"If you’re looking to experience the full range of Caribbean rum styles in one go, this is your undisputed champion ... A masterful blend by any measure, for sure." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer
Named for the day in 1970 when the Royal Navy issued its last ration of navy strength rum, known as "Black Tot Day," UK-based Elixir Distillers' Black Tot label is an ode to the soul and history of this lynchpin of the glory days of the British fleet. The entire concept began in 2010 when Elixir's founder set out to track down the last remaining flagons of the historic rum that the Royal Navy had put in storage after that fateful day, eventually collecting enough spirit to bottle an extremely limited run called The Last Consignment. Since then, the blending team at Black Tot has turned out many other superb expressions, all from different creative inspirations and all with captivating stylistic variety.
The annual Master Blender's Reserve release is the flagship of the brand, each edition artfully crafted to reflect the piece of Navy rum history that master blender Oliver Chilton seeks to highlight. The 2022 Edition is a salute to the rum you would have enjoyed had you been a sailor on a British frigate in the early- to mid-20th century, during the last days of this hallowed tradition. Based on the original perpetual reserve sherry-cask blend created for The Last Consignment and the inaugural 2021 release, this edition also draws on stocks as old as 27 years from many of the Caribbean rum world's most revered names, including Clarendon, Foursquare, Caroni, Long Pond, and Demerara Distillers.
The recipient of numerous accolades including double gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 97 points from the Ultimate Spirits Competition, and 96 points from the Beverage Testing Institute, the "stunning" 2022 edition is a kaleidoscope of opulent complexity, exhibiting each of its component parts in distinctive yet harmonious fashion. Rum fanatics have a dizzying array of styles and profiles to choose from, but seldom do we get nearly all of them in a single expression. We just sourced a limited parcel at market-best pricing nearly $25 less than the going average, making this a can't-miss opportunity for tiki heads to add another spectacular specimen to their collections. |
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Golden amber color. Aromas and flavors of nutella, mocha and leather, roasted red berries, and menthol with a round, dry medium-to-full body and a very long finish with accents of strawberry syrup, maduro tobacco, roasted hazelnuts in vanilla, caramel and chocolate, and bananas foster. With complex layers of roasted fruit flavors, this is just a stunning Rum.
96 points, Beverage Testing Institute (Apr 2023)
If you’re looking to experience the full range of Caribbean rum styles in one go, this is your undisputed champion. One of the most fascinating aspects of this rum is Black Tot’s insistence on full transparency of their sourcing, and the Master Blender’s Reserve basically has it all (Caroni, Mount Gay, Foursquare, Long Pond, Clarendon, and a healthy dose of Demerara are just some of the components). Sporting a gorgeous, deep amber color flecked with veins of bright orange, it starts off with an initial aromatic burst of tropical fruit cocktail (you name it, it’s in there) that gives way to subtle industrial funk from the Jamaican column still components, followed by earthy leather, molasses, cherry syrup, orange marmalade, and finally grapefruit slices coated in sugar. The rich and inviting palate boasts everything you’ll find on the nose, plus luxurious toffee/caramel sweetness, macadamia nut, and warm old furniture, with the return of that subtle industrial funk on the long, drawn-out finish. A masterful blend by any measure, for sure.
95 points, Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer (Nov 2024)
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