Splice the Mainbrace: The Bold History of Military Rum

For centuries, rum has been more than just a drink—it’s been a symbol of duty, discipline, and tradition across the British Armed Forces. I am fascinated by all military history and here at Pull The Pin Spirits, we’re particularly fascinated by the deep connection between rum and military traditions. So here’s a look at how a humble tot of rum became one of the most enduring rituals in British military history.

Where It All Began: From Beer to Rum at Sea

Life at sea in the 1600s was, to put it bluntly, grim. Water spoiled quickly and beer turned sour in the heat. The solution? Spirits. Stronger, easier to store, and available in abundance—especially in the Caribbean.

In 1655, after the British captured Jamaica, rum replaced beer as the official ration aboard Royal Navy vessels. And just like that, the story of military rum began.

Enter the Daily Tot: The Birth of a Tradition

It was Admiral Vernon who created what we know today as the daily rum ration. In 1740, he ordered that sailors' rum be diluted with water to maintain order on board. Known for his grogram cloak, Vernon earned the nickname "Old Grog"—and his watered-down mix became known simply as grog. 

This wasn’t just a drink. It was a disciplinary tool, a morale booster, and a moment of shared ceremony among men of the Royal Navy. Sailors looked forward to it, respected it, and in many ways, relied on it.

Discipline, Camaraderie, and a Dash of Danger

For centuries, the rum ration was central to daily life on board. It was handed out with ritual, often in silence, and consumed with respect. Officers and senior ranks took theirs neat—a clear nod to status.

Ever wondered where the phrase: "Splice the mainbrace" comes from? Originally it was a challenging sail repair job, it later evolved and turned into an official order to issue extra rum—usually on special occasions or by royal command. Today, it still signals celebration.

Black Tot Day: The Final Pour

On 31st July 1970, the Royal Navy issued its final rum ration—known ever since as Black Tot Day. The end of the daily tot marked the close of an era, but the legacy of military rum lived on.

While no longer part of daily life in the forces, rum is still served on ceremonial occasions, keeping the military tradition alive in spirit—quite literally.

Modern Military Rum and a New Generation of Spiced Rum Lovers

Today, the ritual may have changed, but the affection for military-style rum hasn’t. 

At Pull The Pin Spirits, tradition and ritual are important to us. We like honouring what has come before and acknowledging the present. We celebrate that heritage and our range of premium British rums is inspired by the boldness, resilience, and camaraderie of those who served. We don’t just make rum—we pull the pin and as generations gone by have, we use it for a moment of shared ceremony, respect it and savour it.

Rum has featured throughout my military career and I can still get quite emotional when thinking about the significance of some of the occasions it was linked to. I'll look forward to sharing those in a subsequent blog for those of you that are interested and to hearing about yours if you'd like to contact us.

Raise a Tot: Honour the Tradition

So whether you're enjoying a tot at home or out with friends, know that every sip connects you to something bigger: a legacy forged from adversity, refined by tradition, and carried on by those who remember.