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HMS Victory Navy Strength Rum is a specially blended Caribbean rum bottled at 57% ABV by the Isle of Wight Distillery. Produced in official partnership with the National Museum of the Royal Navy in Portsmouth, just eight miles from our High Street shop in Fareham, it celebrates the rich naval heritage of the Solent.
This Navy rum is crafted from a blend of Guyanese Demerara, Trinidadian, and Jamaican rums; the spirit is shipped to the Isle of Wight, where it is rested in casks containing authentic oak staves taken directly from HMS Victory during restoration. Launched in 1765 and famed as Admiral Lord Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar, this historic timber imparts subtle oak warmth, vanilla, and spice notes to the rum. A portion of proceeds from every bottle sold goes directly toward the ongoing preservation of the ship at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
HMS Victory Navy Strength Rum is designed to be reminiscent of the taste of traditional ‘Rum Tots’ issued on board naval ships. HMS Victory Navy Strength Rum was launched on board HMS Victory on 31st July 2018 to coincide with ‘Black Tot Day’, that fateful day in 1970 on which the last daily rum ration (the tot) was issued to Royal Navy Sailors. Read more about Black Tot Day.
Navy Strength rum is bottled at a higher alcohol content than standard rum — typically 57% ABV or above. The term originates from the Royal Navy’s practice of testing the strength of rum stored aboard ship: if rum-soaked gunpowder could still be ignited, the spirit was confirmed at or above proof strength, meaning it had not been watered down by dishonest suppliers. HMS Victory Navy Strength Rum is bottled at 57% ABV, which is the traditional measure for British navy strength spirits. For comparison, Pusser’s Gunpowder Proof Rum and the Portsmouth Distillery Dark Navy Rum are both bottled at 54.5% ABV — the traditional strength of the Royal Navy’s Admiralty rum ration. The higher 57% ABV used here reflects the Isle of Wight Distillery’s commitment to producing a rum that fully honours the navy strength tradition.
The Isle of Wight Distillery was founded by a winemaker and a brewer who had long thought about making a gin. Conrad Gauntlet started growing vines and making wine at Rosemary Vineyard in 1985 and, with over 30 acres of vineyards, is one of the largest wine producers on the Isle of Wight. Xavier Baker has been brewing beer since 1995 and first cut his teeth at the Ventnor Brewery and, after a couple of detours in whisky (Ireland and Scotland), Isle of Wight Distillery, he eventually arrived at Goddard’s Brewery near Ryde. The pair soon met, and a plan to produce Gin was conceived.
Available to purchase online for UK-wide delivery or collect in-store at Fareham Wine Cellar, 55 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire.
HMS Victory Navy Strength Rum has a bold yet smooth profile. Its nose reveals gentle vanilla, oak, and hints of molasses and liquorice, while the palate bursts with tropical fruits, brown sugar, and lemongrass, followed by intense molasses and spice. The long, complex finish weaves oak, vanilla, and Christmas spices.
What makes HMS Victory Rum different from other navy rums?
HMS Victory Navy Strength Rum is the only rum in the world aged using an authentic oak stave from HMS Victory herself. This, combined with the official partnership with the National Museum of the Royal Navy and the Black Tot Day launch ceremony aboard Victory in 2018, gives this rum a historical provenance that no other navy rum can match. A portion of every bottle sold goes towards the ongoing restoration of HMS Victory.
Where can I buy HMS Victory Rum near Portsmouth?
areham Wine Cellar, at 55 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, is one of the closest independent wine and spirits merchants to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard — approximately eight miles away. We stock the full Isle of Wight Distillery range, including HMS Victory Navy Strength Rum and the 5cl miniature. Also available online at farehamwinecellar.co.uk with UK-wide delivery. Call us on 01329 822733 to check current stock availability.
What is Black Tot Day and why was HMS Victory Rum launched on that date?
Black Tot Day falls on 31st July every year — it is the anniversary of the last ever issue of the Royal Navy’s daily rum ration in 1970, when the centuries-old tradition of issuing sailors with a daily “tot” of rum came to an end.
Read the full story of Black Tot Day and the Royal Navy rum ration on our blog.
Is HMS Victory Rum available as a miniature?
Yes — HMS Victory Navy Strength Rum is also available in a 5cl miniature bottle, making it an excellent stocking filler, gift hamper addition, or try-before-you-buy option.
How should I serve HMS Victory Navy Strength Rum?
At 57% ABV, this is a full-strength navy rum best appreciated neat or with a single large ice cube to open up the aromatics. A few drops of water will also help reveal the vanilla, oak, and tropical fruit character.
For a historically authentic serve, try it diluted two-to-one with water — the traditional grog ratio used aboard Royal Navy vessels — with a squeeze of lime.
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