The Rum Never Sets

The Rum Never Sets - but it wasn't all about rum!

TRNS was an interesting read, with high-quality, relevant illustrations. However, on pp11 & 166 you state that the Navy's rum ration doubled in 1756 yet I can find no basis for that in the records. You mention the accidental increase due to adoption of imperial measure in 1826 but omit the reduction (by 50%) in 1824. Similarly, on p161 you state that naval beer brewing ceased in 1832 due to quality & stowage problems. It actually ceased in 1831 on spurious cost grounds and rum may have reduced bulk but it increased the need for secure stowage and increased the demand for water. By 1830, the Navy had just refurbished one of its three major breweries (Portsmouth) and another (Plymouth) was just about to be replaced by a brand new facility. Discussion around the difficulties of estimating ABV is informative, although calculating the ABV of grog appears misleading since the rum ration itself contained the same amount of alcohol. Further, there is no reflection on how adversely taste would have been affected by such high levels of dilution, often with dodgy water. The sections on vatting/blending and the distinctions between rums from various sources were particularly useful. I support the robust challenge to ED&F Man's claim to two centuries of exclusivity. Overall, I would have welcomed more on the Navy and more earlier material.

Fantastic book on the history of Naval Rum. If you are interested in history of rum or the Royal Navy then it definitely worth getting

HM Royal Navy Veteran. Love this book.

Fabulous book. Met the author at Powder Monkey Brewery. Great insight into the history of Naval Rum. Thoroughly enjoying it.