Smith and Cross Traditional Jamaica Navy Strength

This one comes in very hot, even more so that some 151 runs. Strong banana notes on the nose, lots of funk, and a pleasant, but very, very intense burn. Smith and Cross works best as a modifier as part of my bar - by splitting a rum build (half an ounce, sometimes less) brings some much appreciated Jamaican rum qualities and cuts sweetness for many tiki drinks. On its own, I prefer to serve it as a “Bombo” (a proto-old fashioned, dating back to America’s days as a colony) using a large, round cube, a dash of cinnamon simple and topped with nutmeg. The ice and sugar makes the base spirit much less opinionated while maintaining a lot of the intense, overripe fruit notes.

Further, for tikiphiles this is a critical component of making your own Kohala Bay blend (a now extinct rum that was a staple in drinks served at the storied Mai Kai) according to Jim Hayward (atomicgrog dot com). 50/50 Smith & Cross with El Dorado 12 brings a boldness and richness to a variety of mixed drinks few other off-the-shelf dark Jamaican rums can on their own.

This is a good jamaican rum with a good hogo/funk good for drinks, im gonna get another one

Smith and Cross is awesome. Extremely flavourful and aromatic and utterly lacking in subtlety, it's challenging as a sipper but incredible in cocktails and mixes.

Mir zu scharf, nicht mein Ding beim Pur trinken von Rums.

I discovered this rum fortuitously and what a surprise! It's strong at first due to the alcoholic degree but then, plenty of aromas come in mouth! This rum is more than affordable and it became my guilty pleasure. As a result, I don't have anymore to take a picture!

Aroma is nice and typical jamaica. Taste is woody with some caramel and vanilla touch, but very fast covered by burning (it feels stronger than 57%). Aftertaste is long and full of esters. The price is very low (25Eur).

Solid rum. Cheap AF, but full of funk and character. You can't get anything better at this price point.

Ein Rum mit einem fantastischen Geschmack - mir ist er aber leider etwas zu stark. Für die Hartgesottenen ein wahrer Genuss, mir ist er aber - zumindest derzeit - noch etwas zu heftig. Würde ihn gerne in Standardstärke kosten 😉 Definitiv nichts für jedermann.

Just enough funk when you want it. Great as a mixer. A tiki must. Even great in Coke.

It was my favorite until I found Lemonhart 151.

Pivotal spirit in tropical/tiki cocktails. This is the quintessential funk additive for drab drinks begging for diversity. You’ll never use another rum in a painkiller ever again.