Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaica Rum has London on the label, but is actually produced by Hampden Estate in Jamaica. The rum is produced from two separate pot stills, Wedderburn and Plummer. One is purportedly barely aged, while the other purportedly spends 3 years in ex-bourbon barrels. The result is a “Navy Strength” rum bottled at true proof (114 proof or 57% A.B.V.) that comes in at about $30. While the proof lets you know your gun powder will still go off, is it worth loading your bar with this bottle?
Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaica Rum
Sight: A beautiful bright gold with a tinge of orange throughout.
Smell: The proof is expressed from the nose in a way that informs you quite deliberately that you shouldn’t just shove your nose directly in. Heat aside, heavily caramelized bananas, brown sugar, treacle, and various tropical fruits explode out of the nose. The nose is deeply complex for the price, and conveys the esters that one associates with Jamaican rum. Additional fruits begin to emerge, including apples, oranges, pineapples, guava, and fermented banana.
Sip: The body is on the thin side, and is undeniably rather hot. As the rum opens, there’s a song amount of spice that begins to expand including allspice, cinnamon, and cloves with a hint of powdered pepper. Banana and grilled pineapple begin to emerge, and a load of caramel comes through. Touches of molasses and brown sugar come forward as well. Touches of oak are pervasive throughout.
Savor: The ending is warm and spicy. The fruitier notes get tangled in oak, and ultimately the full cadre of esters come out to hang around on a rather long finish.
Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaica Rum has an amazing nose and delivers quite a bit of flavor for the price. While it would be rough to sip for an extended duration, it displays a ton of flavor. The caramelized notes run throughout, and the fruitiness is inviting. These flavors provide a good base to consider Smith & Cross for cocktails.
In Cocktails
In a daiquiri Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaica Rum simply sings. The flavors of banana and grilled pineapple explode outward thanks to the brightness of the lime. The spices kick things into overdrive, adding clove and allspice notes while a subtle caramelized sweetness hangs out in the background. The oak is there, but the finish keeps things balanced as tropical fruit and esters hold their own. As it warms, it even gets a sweet up tick at the end. The result is a complex and layered daiquiri that’s simple to make.
In Review: Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaica Rum
Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaica Rum is one of our favorites. Not only does it deliver flavor in droves, it also won’t break the bank. Those beginning their rum journey might find this one a little hard to take (thanks to the incredible mix of flavors and high proof), but we encourage you to try it anyways. It can show you the next step in your rum journey without costing you an arm and a leg. In addition, it makes a killer rum for tikis, especially if you want to use it as one of multiple rums in a cocktail. Smith & Cross is worth your time, and you should consider it for one of your next rums.
