blended rum
With the availability of domestically produced rum, the British changed the daily ration of liquor given to seamen from French brandy to rum. Navy Rum was originally a blended rum mixed from rums locally produced in the West Indies. It varies in strength from 95.5 Proof (47.75% ABV) to 114 Proof (57% ABV). While the ration was originally given neat, or mixed with lime juice, the practice of watering down the rum began around 1740.