LONDON, July 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
On Friday 31st July 2015, sailors and ex-sailors across the UK will 'Up Spirits' and take a tot of Pusser's rum in remembrance of the 45th anniversary of Black Tot Day - the day that the traditional rum ration was abolished in the Royal Navy.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150731/252311 )
Taking a tot of rum was one of the longest unbroken traditions in British Navy history. For more than 300 years, generations of seafaring personnel have responded to the daily 'Up Spirits' call, piped at noon with a second call at 5 or 6pm, to imbibe their free ration of rum or 'tot'.
The Royal Navy's official love affair with rum was ended on 31st July 1970, a day that became known as Black Tot Day. The final tot was poured as usual at 6 bells in the forenoon watch (11am) after the pipe of 'up spirits'.
Some sailors wore black arm bands; tots were 'buried at sea' and even mock funeral processions complete with coffin, accompanying drummers and piper commiserated the occasion; it was a day of mourning that prompted headlines in newspapers like The Sun - "Yo-ho-ho! Rebel Jacks threaten mutiny" and The Mirror - "Rum plea by sailors in black armbands."
Although the rum ration is now a thing of the past, old sailors and civvies alike are still able to enjoy a 'tot' of authentic Navy Rum. Production of Pusser's rum today is in accordance with the original blend approved by the Admiralty. Pusser's is 100% natural and is still produced at original Admiralty issuing strength, which is 54.5%, as well as other strengths depending on their markets - visit http://www.pussersrum.com so that you can join the call to 'Up Spirits'.
Awards
In 2001 Pusser's started winning awards and continues to do so, winning two gold and two silver medals at the Spirits Business Rum Masters Awards in both 2012 and 2013.
It is distributed in the UK by Cellar Trends. http://www.cellartrends.co.uk
For further information please contact the Pusser's Rum team:
http://www.pussersrum.com
