Lemon Hart Original 1804 Rum
Lemon Hart Original 1804 Rum is a 40% ABV, 750mL classic British-style black rum — a premium blend of select single-estate Demerara rums, distilled, aged in ex-bourbon barrels and blended in Guyana. The "1804" marks the year Lehman Hart became the first official rum supplier to the British Royal Navy, and the bottle has been the backbone of tiki classics like the Mai Tai, Zombie and Navy Grog ever since. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Style: British-style black/dark rum, blend of single-estate Demerara rums
- Origin: distilled, bourbon-barrel aged and blended in Guyana
- Character: dark brown sugar, island spices, vanilla bean, cocoa, dark honey, caramel, oak
The Royal Navy's Rum, Since 1804
Before Lemon Hart, the Royal Navy bought rum from whoever was selling; from 1804 on, it came from Lehman Hart's blending house. That naval heritage is the whole point of the Original 1804 — the same Demerara region that filled Navy rations two centuries ago, aged in ex-bourbon barrels on the East Bank of the Demerara River. Discover more rum and the Lemon Hart collection at Del Mesa Liquor.
Tasting Notes
Per brand notes: well-balanced and velvety smooth — dark brown sugar and island spices (nutmeg, clove, cinnamon), vanilla bean, cocoa, dark honey, caramel and oak, with hints of English toffee, dried fruits (sultanas, dates, apricots), dark bittersweet chocolate and a heavily steeped-tea finish. DrinkHacker (2025) graded it B: dark brown sugar and vanilla bean on the nose, molasses and caramelized sugar on the palate — "clearly designed with a mixer in mind."
How to Enjoy
Mix it: this is tiki's workhorse — Mai Tai, Zombie, Navy Grog, Planter's Punch. It stands up to cola beautifully too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why 1804?
The year Lemon Hart became the British Royal Navy's first official rum supplier.
Where is it made?
Distilled and aged in Guyana (Demerara).
What cocktails use it?
It is the classic backbone rum for the Mai Tai, Zombie, Navy Grog and Puka Punch.
The tiki world's backbone rum — buy Lemon Hart Original 1804 Rum online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.