Independent bottler Silver Seal offers us an Old Navy Rum in the purest tradition of rums made for Royal Navy sailors.
It was created in collaboration with Francesco Mattonetti, an Italian rum enthusiast, based on a recipe found in a document dating from the late 19th century. The recipe in question indicates the best way to make "British Navy Rum".
This is a blend of rums from 3 Caribbean regions: Guyana (Demerara), Barbados and Jamaica.
Only 1,415 bottles were made for this 2018 edition.
Nico's tasting notes
On the nose, the character of navy rums is undeniable. The blend of coppery notes and roasted, oxidized nuts is unmistakable. Balance is the order of the day here, and in the ship's hold, gunpowder rubs shoulders with exotic fruits and a reserve of almond powder and spices.
The aeration develops the gourmet and pastry side. The guns and their powder have been stowed away in the hold to prepare a feast of spices and candied exotic fruits. The mango is laid down and sliced on a still resinous white wood. We'll enjoy it with the brioche just out of the oven, just starting to burn.
The palate is powerful but greedy, with a dry copper attack and a tantalizingly pastry-like register. All the aromas are well blended and remain linked in the distance. Cherry pits mingle with resin. Cherry pits mingle with resin, which in turn becomes one with gunflint and candied-skin plums. In the same way, ripe, stewed exotic fruits infuse a black tea next to a slice of brioche.
The finish sees a surprising appearance of cane juice. Then a pretty oxidation of stone liqueur.
"A classic but very well executed blend, with perfectly integrated alcohol and aromas..."
