Jefferson's 1785 Dark Rum

According to the notes on the bottle, it was established by Henry Jefferson in 1785. They are a firm with their roots in Whitehaven (UK).
But I’d agree with the tasting notes…

My dad drank this all his life. It is a wonderful Rum that I have now rediscovered. The old guy was right ( not that I would ever have called him old). Wonderful flavour, smooth and subtle. This rum should always be drunk the first time with a clean pallet prior to drinking with a mix ( something I have never bothered to do as it's amazing). Don't talk about it. Try it and be impressed !

Jefferson’s Rum is named after the Jefferson family of Whitehaven. They ran a wine and spirit merchants in the town and imported sugar and rum.
For many years Jefferson’s rum was held in high regard.
I recently bought a bottle from Jefferson’s shop in Whitehaven @£35 a bottle.
The shape of the bottle has changed and to my taste so has the rum.
I found it to be very harsh, it’s not a sipping drink.
Ok with a mixer but at £35 a bottle I expected something smoother and a bit special.
Disappointed

Until June, 1998 Jefferson's Wine Merchants was the oldest family owned wines and spirits merchants in the country. The family had traded from the same premises on Lowther Street for over two centuries.

The business was founded by Robert Jefferson who came from Aikton, near Wigton. He is described as a much respected and honest man during his years of trade with Virginia. The business interests of the Jefferson's was not only confided to the wine and spirits business. They were also interested in shipbuilding and railway development. The Jefferson's were partners in the
Lumley Kennedy and Co. Shipbuilding Company.

The cargo that was carried by the Jefferson's ships was rum, sugar and molasses from the West Indies and Wine from Portugal and Spain. A large proportion of the sugar imported to Whitehaven was from the Yeaman estate in Antigua, which was owned by the Jefferson's. It was from that estate that they imported their famous rum. Another speciality was their East Indian Sherry. All of the imports by the Jefferson family was carried by their own vessels. In total the Jefferson's used 12 sailing ships.

With the closure of the shop in 1998, plans were put in place to convert the premises into a tourist attraction which explores the links that Whitehaven has had with the Rum trade. On 22nd May 2000, the Rum Story opened its doors. It is the worlds first Story of Rum exhibition. The exhibition is an all weather attraction which contains exciting interactive entertainment for all the family.