Black Tot Historic Solera Rum This is the latest release in the Black Tot portfolio. I am always a little apprehensive when I see the term “Solera” being used in Rum. I think it is fair to say that a number of producers make claims they are using a “Solera” method when, in truth they are doing no such thing.

For those unfamiliar with a true Sherry Solera System here is some information for reference. A lot of producers claim to be using a Solera but in reality they are often doing little more than adding a very small portion of aged rum to their blends and then citing this as an age statement on their bottles. As the word Solera has no real legal definition there is nothing stopping such words being used on the bottle and attached to rather dubious numbers.

Now, as Black Tot as a brand has been transparent to the point of being OTT – I do not have any issues with their use of “Solera” and I will take what they are telling us as part of their marketing as truthful. Unlike other brands/producers they have not lied or deceived any of us in the past.

I am not saying they have strictly followed every aspect of Sherry Solera ageing as outlined above (and I’m no expert on such things) but from the information they have given they have at least adopted some kind of genuine Solera System. They also haven’t prominently displayed any misleading numbers on their bottles…….

So I’m going into this review with an open mind…….well as far “open minded” as a ageing, cynical rum reviewer can anyway!

First up like the other rums in the Black tot cannon we have a lot of actual information about the make up of the rums in Black Tot Historic Solera. So here we go………

40% 3-5 Year Old Blend of Guyana Pot/Column distilled rums

35% 5 Year Old Barbados Pot/Column still blended rum

20% Unaged Guyana Pot/Column blended rum

5% 3 Year Old Jamaica High Ester Pot Still rum

These rums have been aged in ex-bourbon barrels which have been seasoned with Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherries. Before being further aged through a traditional 3 tier Solera process.

Black Tot Historic Solera comprises of molasses based rums that have been matured both in their country of origin and in Europe. So Continental and Tropical ageing. Alas I do not have any information on how this is split. The rum is non-chill filtered and contains no added sugar. In the UK a bottle of Black Tot Historic Solera is available direct from The Whisky Exchange. A 70cl bottle will set you back £63.75. The rum has been bottled at 46.2% ABV.

Nosing Black Tot Historic Solera Rum I am immediately reminded of the “standard” Black Tot Finest Caribbean, which is no bad thing. The influence of the Guyanese element of the blend is immediately apparent. With lots of chocolate covered raisins/sultana’s and a very nice toffee/caramel like note. It reminds of Toffo’s (discontinued, though possibly soon to be revived rumour has it flavoured toffees available in the UK) as there is also a banana like note in there.

There is also a little hint of pineapple and some ginger lurking in the mix. The oak and spice influence is fairly muted on the nose. There is a slight “mustiness” but nothing like the Master Blender’s releases in terms of smokiness.

The Sherry influence shines brightly. Giving this Black Tot release a much sweeter overall nose. Lots of lighter fruits – peach and strawberry come through and a slightly tart hit of raspberry. There is a slight peppery note and some crystallised ginger coming through as well.

All in all I’m enjoying the nose and it doesn’t seem overly sweet for my tastes.

Sipped the Black Tot Historic Solera immediately seems dangerously easy to drink. The 46.2% ABV coupled with the sweeter Solera profile certainly makes this very approachable and its sliding down rather easily.

On the initial sip I am hit initially with some sweet Sherry notes alongside the toffee and chocolate covered raisins, I got on the nose.  As the rum slides down I feel more complexity coming in on the mid palate. Dry ginger and some nice oak spice comes in giving the rum a drier mouthfeel and flavour. It’s certainly not as sweet as I initially thought. The sweeter Sherry notes are still present but less prominent as we move towards the finish.

Finish wise this is a medium length finish that doesn’t really linger to long. It fades rather quickly but what is there – strawberry, peach and a touch of light oak and ginger works nicely . There is maybe also a hint of darker fruits as well – Blackberries and some Plums.

I would say overall this is a slightly sweeter and less challenging version of the Finest Caribbean. Lighter overall in profile and a little more approachable.

I personally don’t enjoy it quite as much as the Finest Caribbean but it is still a very good rum.