If you don't know already, Pusser's Blue Label is the commercial version of the rum served to British sailors for over 330 years, dating from 1640 until July 31, 1970 (Black Tot Day) when the daily tot was retired. Originally sailors received a pint of this strong brew, which was later diluted and reduced. This rum was the father of "grog".
Neither the formula nor the rum was ever made available to the public. In 1979 a sailor/entrepreneur, Charles Tobias finally reached an agreement to produce what became known as Pusser's Blue Label in strict accord with the secret British formula. He agreed to keep the blend secret and to make donations to The Royal Navy Sailor's Fund, and is currently the largest single contributor. What we do know about the "secret" formula is that the British Navy Rum (and Pussers) was/is made from five West Indian pot stilled rums with absolutely no additives (found in many other modern rums). Allegedly these are distilled from the few remaining wood stills in the world.
I have some information that the original blender (the Man Company) used rums from Trinidad and Demarara, along with a bit of caramel and burnt sugar coloring. The current Pusser's is based on the secret British Royal Navy formula which is largely Guyanese, with Trinidad a substantial second and three other West Indian rums in much lesser quantitites.
Whatever the formula, this a powerful, full-bodied, no nonsense rum. In your readings you will find that most reviews are fairly disrepectful of Pusser's Blue as being little more than a slightly overproof mixer. Exception: Bilgemonkey, who loves a real, kick ass rum.
It is well to remember that it was the Brits in Barbados who fathered rum, and whose thirsty sailors demanded a fine, robust product worthy of hard working sailors and officers. Pussers is still made to the exacting specifications first created in 1810. More later, but enough for now, the reviews:
Sue Sea:
My first taste of Pusser's Blue Label was at the annual kayak races in Key Largo, attended by both local and international racers. Pusser's was a sponsor and gave out free Pusser's "Painkiller's", yumm! We were feeling no pain then I will tell you. I enjoy the history and tradition of rum - Jim is mad for it - and Pusser's history is very meaningful. It gives us a rare opportunity to taste real, classic rum from one of the few (if any) formulas kept intact. By tasting the old standards we can better appreciate the new.
I will say that Pusser's was hard to nail down. When I first nosed it I got a hint of higher citrus - tangerine or orange against a pungent background of light clove, and what I can only describe as a vinegary light diesel with a kind of celery sourness. Jim and I really wrestled with this one, then finally consulted our tasting wheels and decided to pull out his ginger rum tester. Aha! Darn if it wasn't ginger. All I can tell you that ginger in rum has an aroma of its own! I also noted a smokey, cigar box aroma. With reflection I find a high, very light vanilla caramel. Blue Label's explosive taste was of light clove, pungent dried apricot and alcohol, and developed with growing warmth. Whoa! The finish was strong, short and warm, no make that a hot peppery clove that warmed my throat and chest.
Pusser's Blue Label is a very lively, robust and consistent Jamaican style rum. It would be perfect after a good meal, perhaps with a cigar, much like Metaxa or a good cognac.
Me:
Pusser's Blue Label is a clear medium amber with nice, thick no nonsense legs. Remember this rum can be of slightly higher alcohol, my bottle is 42%. It needs to breathe and should be approached cautiously to obtain the high nose sweet citrus (possibly orange). I went deeper and got what I can only describe as a hard to define background of a vinegary, camphor, tarlike or leather aroma. The entry taste was of orange then became consistent with the aroma, medicinal, very much like chewing on a piece of leather hide. Mind you, I don't mean this in bad way, but for those of who who haven't graduated from the modern, sweet liqueur-like rums, your attention please! Blue Label's finish is a peppery, bright and chest warming.
Afternote: I do agree with Sue Sea re ginger. The background was hard to pinpoint and is certainly pungent and distinctive. My ginger rum tester was a reasonable match. Dave Broom also picks up prune, which I too got on a later tasting. He also states that adding a bit of water brings out additional sweetness and some leather - agreed. I do recommend that you stick with this rum for a few days, as it will grow on you (and I may have to raise my current rating, below).
A real rum for real men. FWIW, Blue Label has earned several gold medals in the dark rum class. Something to think about. In closing, please don't be misled by our ratings. Although Blue Label is not cheap, it is absolutely worth having as one of the few remaining unchanged formulas in rum. Personally, I believe owning and understanding this well made classic rum is essential both for a historical perspective and as a reference standard of its own.
Not to mention in "Painkillers". Pusser's is an acquired taste, one that will grow on you. I have been through several bottles of Blue Label, and would never be without one.
Rating as a sipper (10 is best): 8.
