Dining

Pusser’s Rum revives its original 1979 blend with limited edition Founder’s Reserve

Pusser's Rum Founder's Reserve Navy Rum label in close up

Pusser’s Rum is bringing its founding recipe back to life with a limited-edition bottling inspired by the extraordinary story of its founder, Charles Tobias.

The new Pusser’s Rum Founder’s Reserve Limited Edition meticulously recreates the first rum blended by Tobias in 1979, the recipe that helped establish the brand’s reputation for characterful Caribbean rum.

Founder’s Reserve combines Caribbean spirits from several rum-producing traditions.

Its components include Demerara pot still rum from Guyana, oak-aged rums from Trinidad and Caroni, and small-batch sugarcane rum from the British Virgin Islands’ historic Callwood Distillery.

Just 6,500 bottles have been produced worldwide, with 2,160 allocated to the UK.

Founder’s Reserve combines Caribbean spirits from several rum-producing traditions…

Bottle of British Navy Pusser's Rum, Founder's Reserve edition, featuring a dark amber color with a gold cap and decorative label.

A life less ordinary – the story of Charles Tobias 

Charles S. Tobias, founder of Pusser’s Rum, was one of the more colourful figures in the spirits world.

Canadian-born, Tobias was a track champion before becoming a US Marine Corps fighter pilot during the Vietnam War. He was shot down over the Mekong Delta and rescued by Navy SEALs. Following his military service, Tobias built a successful radar-jamming business in California’s Silicon Valley.

He eventually walked away from that life, buying a 57-foot wooden ketch for a five-year, 30,000-mile voyage around the world. His travelling companions included a crew, a chimpanzee named Tommy and a cheetah called Fifi!

During the adventure, Tobias became fascinated by the traditional rum served to sailors of the British Royal Navy. The Navy had ended its daily rum ration on Black Tot Day in 1970, prompting his interest in restoring the spirit’s place in rum history.

In 1979, Tobias secured the Admiralty’s secret recipe and blending rights, establishing Pusser’s Rum in the British Virgin Islands. He also pledged a share of future profits to the Royal Navy Sailors’ Fund.

The name ‘Pusser’ derives from Royal Navy slang for the purser.

Pusser’s Rum Founder’s Reserve Limited Edition tasting notes

Bottled at 47.75% ABV, this limited edition is a full-flavoured sipping spirit, with an emphasis on depth and richness.

On the nose, expect dark molasses, pipe tobacco and toasted nutmeg. The palate develops notes of caramelised sugar, raisins and dark chocolate, followed by subtle vanilla and charred oak. The finish is warm and lingering.

Each bottle is individually numbered and finished with metallic gold detailing, alongside Charles Tobias’s signature.

Pusser’s Rum Founder’s Reserve Limited Edition is priced at £84.95, and is available from Amazon.

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About Steve May

Creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine, and Editor of The Luxe Review, Steve muses and reviews for Trusted Reviews, T3, Home Cinema Choice, Games Radar, Good Housekeeping, Louder Sounds, StereoNet and Boat International. He’s also the editor of professional home cinema website Inside CI. He's on Twitter/X, Tiktok and Instagram as @SteveMay_UK