Pusser’s Gunpowder Proof Rum
The Pusser’s Rum brand was formed in 1979 by company founder Charles Tobias. He created the company after obtaining the Royal Navy’s blending information used to create their daily “tot” of rum. Growing from their single label in 1979, Pusser’s now offers five products in their portfolio ranging from the original blend to a15 year old rum. New to the United States, the Gunpowder Proof rum is comprised of five West Indies rums and blended to 54.5 abv.
Here are some details about the history of the product I found on the Pusser’s website:
“Gunpowder Proof: Prior to the invention of the hydrometer, the ship’s purser shutdown claims of watering down sailors’ daily tot by mixing a few grains of gunpowder to the rum to see if it would burn. If the mixture ignited, the um was ‘at proof.’ If it didn’t, the purser might find himself tossed to sea.”
Appearance/Presentation
The Gunpowder Proof rum is presented in the standard Pusser’s bottle with a blue and gold label. The liquid is secured with a synthetic cork and has a dark mahogany color in the bottle. In the glass it lightens to a dark copper with amber highlights. Swirling the liquid creates a razor thin band that reluctantly releases long legs that evaporate leaving tiny bead in their wake.
Nose
Pouring the rum in the bottle releases a strong aroma of molasses and oaky spices. I covered the glass and let it settle. When I revisited it, I discovered notes of vanilla, cinnamon, figs and dark toffee with hints of charred oak nipping around the edges.
Palate
The first sip provides a strong punch of alcohol with a swirl of dried fruit, toffee, oak and spices. With additional sips I detect spice notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. I also discovered fig, plum, toffee and honey comb notes, with a nice solid smoky oak and black treacle at the final. The finish lasted quite a while and was surprisingly smooth with a hint of bitterness woven in.
Review
Rum and the Royal Navy share a rich history and are part of what captures the imagination when we think about the early days of ocean travel and the rum. When I first sampled the Pusser’s Gunpowder proof at an event in Fort Lauderdale I thought this was a great part of the Pusser’s line and enjoyed the robust flavor profile. It works nicely in any rum cocktail with a fruit base and helps create a nice punch. I enjoyed it in a Navy Grog, and thought it put a nice twist on a Zombie. Look for this product to roll out in stores during the first half of 2016.
-Review by Paul Senft-
Paul Senft, rum reviewer for "Got Rum?" magazine
My name is Paul Senft - Rum Reviewer, Tasting host, Judge and Writer. My exploration of Rums began by learning to craft Tiki cocktails for friends. I quickly learned that not all rums are created equally and that the uniqueness of the spirit can be as varied as the locales they are from. This inspired me to travel with my wife around the Caribbean, Central America, and United States visiting distilleries and learning about how each one creates their rums. I have also had the pleasure of learning from bar tenders, brand ambassadors, and other enthusiasts from around the world; each one providing their own unique point of view, adding another chapter to the modern story of rum. The desire to share this information led me to create www.RumJourney.com where I share my experiences and reviews in the hopes that I would inspire others in their own explorations. It is my wish in the pages of “Got Rum?” to be your host and provide you with my impressions of rums available in the world market. Hopefully my tasting notes will inspire you to try the rums and make your own opinions. The world is full of good rums and the journey is always best experienced with others. Cheers