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Planteray Mr. Fogg Navy Rum

$34.99
$49.99
$34.99

Country/State Barbados

Region

Subregion

Vineyard/Proprietary

Type Aged Rum

Read About the Wine

Get to Know This Product

In my dotage, I swore by the Royal Navy Standard of health and good living – one pint of rum per day. 
 
I now admit to a certain level of nimiety to this daily rationing of tots, to the point where I feel the need to adopt a corollary:
 
“Better Rum Is More Fun”
 
And I have a gem of a Rum to share with you today. In fact, you're the first to have a chance to buy it.  It is being released, at this very moment, at Tales of The Cocktail, the annual New Orleans colloquy of everyone who's anyone in the spirits game. 
 
I had a sneak peek (and taste) of this incredible bottle a few weeks ago, but was barred, despite my protestations, from sharing it with you until this appointed hour, so as to not spoil the big reveal in the Big Easy.
 
Mister Fogg's Navy Rum is made by the Master Blenders at Planeray (formerly Plantation Rum) home to some of the best aged rum in the world, in honor of the foremost historian and conservator of Navy Rum, Michael Fogg.
 
Mr. Fogg started this journey in 1952 as a sailor in the British Royal Navy at the age of 18. At the time (and until July 31, 1970) sailors over the age of 20 were given a tot of rum each day. Michael was only able to receive his tot for three weeks before his two years of service were up, but his love for Navy Rum was cemented for life, as he went on to work for ED&F Man, one of the largest sugar brokers in the world, and later as a director at Pusser's, who released the first authentic version of Navy Rum, and worked to preserve its heritage.
 
Upon his death in 2020, Mr. Fogg was toasted the world over as the man most responsible for bringing Navy Rum to the drinking public. He professed the secret that rum drinkers discovered long ago - that great rum can give any great bourbon or scotch a run for its money.
 
Navy Rum is defined by its higher 57 proof (the gunpowder still needed to ignite if it was doused in rum) and deep color brought on by significant age - those are two factors that send whiskey prices soaring. Luckily, despite Mr. Fogg's efforts, great rum still remains under the radar.  Meaning for the same high quality the price is ridiculously low.  
 
Mr. Fogg's Navy rum opens with notes of earthy sugarcane, acacia honey, roasted vanilla bean pods, toasted breads, and freshly churned ice cream.  Comparisons to bourbon are apt: Plantery is the gold standard for aged rums throughout the world, and they take great care with the selection of the barrels they use in that aging.  Most rums that come to market are inoculated, meaning “oak” or “spice” flavors are injected into raw alcohol, and then the product is colored – fake aging, fake flavors, fake rum.  Nothing is fake about Planteray's juice.
 
Just like a great Scotch, there is more to Mr. Fogg's Navy Rum than just the barrel: aromas of dried apricots and figs practically leap from the glass, followed by cox pear and quince.  These flavors build into the finish with a long, lingering sensation of caramelized fruits, white chocolate and dulce de leche.  Like a magnificent Scotch, all of these flavors layer in together on the palate, creating a seamless, smooth and incredible drinking experience.  This rum is utterly sippable, yet also makes incredible Mojitos and Daiquiris, especially in the summer.
 
Or better still, toast to Mr. Fogg with a Grog - the preferred method for sailors to drink their tot, with 1.5oz of Rum, .5oz of lime juice to ward off scurvy, a dollop of simple syrup to taste, and 1oz of water. And you'll have time to perfect your recipe before Black Tot Day, celebrated each July 31st to remember the dark day that the British Navy ended its rum ration. Just follow these simple steps:
 
  • Combine all ingredients over ice in glass.
  • Stir vigorously.
  • Ask the Bosun to call "Up Spirits!"
  • Reply "Stand fast the Holy Ghost!"
  • Drink rapidly and repeatedly.