Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaica Navy Strength Rum (700ml)

"Top pick for tiki and tropical drinks, this practically begs for lime juice. " - wineenthusiast.com

A mix of heavy Wedderburn and medium bodied Plummer pot-still distillates, aged for up to 3 years and bottled at a potent strength. The Smith & Cross brand is steeped in tradition, both in terms of history and character. The name goes back to 1788, referencing an English trading company that was importing vast quantities of rum and sugar from Jamaica to the UK. The rum itself is described as "old fashioned", pre-dating the trend for sweetened styles that's so prevalent today. Hampden Estate's stills are famous for delivering funky notes like caramelised banana, tropical fruit and a complexing earthiness. Their rums are typically absent of chill filtration, excess dilution or added sugar. Hence, this is what you might call 'old-school' rum. It's exotic flavour profile and punchy strength have made it a bartender's favourite for Tiki cocktails, but you can also showcase its high esters in a classic Daiquiri or Mai Tai. The Kingston Negroni is a contemporary alternative, where Smith & Cross' baking spice notes mingle with red vermouth, while the rum's sweet molasses is balanced by the gentian-forward red bitters. In a similar vein, stir Cocchi Vermouth di Torino with Smith & Cross, a little maraschino and orange bitters and you have a Martinez with a genuine reggae beat!

Other reviews... A top pick for tiki and tropical drinks, this practically begs for lime juice. Scented with warm honey notes, the palate shows lots of brown sugar and spice, plus an enticingly untamed, funky finish (the fabled hogo). Since it’s “navy strength,” you might not want to sip it straight up—the producer wisely recommends exploring the profile first in a daiquiri—though it’s smooth and interesting enough if you want to try. - 95 points - wineenthusiast.com

...Smith & Cross is definitely not the sweeter newer style of rum which have been more prevalent since the 50’s and 60’s.  It is no Ron Zacapa or Diplomatico. It is a million miles away from that.  It is in many ways like Ronseal – it does exactly what it say on the tin (bottle).  Smith & Cross make no allusions or false claims about their product. As a rum to recommend it's a difficult one you either like dunder heavy Jamaican rum or you don’t!  I’ve had around 100ml of the stuff during this review and I can certainly feel it!  The ABV obviously attributes to this! This is a good rum – well made and constructed and has no pretences about being anything other than an old fashioned hard hitting Jamaican pot still. It might well go great with a bit Ting – jammin! 4 Stars - thefatrumpirate.com