Hamilton Jamaican Pot Still Black

The first drink I made with this wonderful Rum locked me in. Taste is subjective and I can't speak for anyone else, but the Mai-Kai's Oh So Deadly is one of my favorite drinks and in my humble opinion, can't be made without Hamilton Gold and Black. I find no similarities between the Smith & Cross (which I like) and the Hamilton.

I tell people to try and drop any preconceptions about rums when I pour it for them. It's very different.

Out of the 53 rums I keep on hand, the Hamilton is in my top 3.

Really hard to find this any more. Got the last bottle at one of my local haunts, hiding behind the Hamilton Jamaican Gold. Speaking of which, I've read that both rums are identical except that the Black has been colored with caramel. I did a blindfold taste-test and would agree that they are semi-identical twins. Like the gold, this black rum is pure Jamaican funk. Rotting bananas, spices, bandaids, and a bit of wood. You will either be revolted by this challenging rum or you will be enchanted by its unapologetic, savory assault on your taste and smell buds. I enjoy it neat because it deserves the spotlight all to itself...

Bottled at 46.5 the heat hits you right up front. The flavor and aroma is instantly recognizable as it should be and is in the same pocket as Smith and Cross Wedderburn pot still. However this is a tad sweeter, though not overly sugary for a dark rum, than the S&C and finishes with a medicinal tang. As you become acclimated to it a lovely black strap molasses creeps in.
At the price of $26 you can't go wrong. If you want a heavy dose of Jamaican funk with a bit more sugar than Smith and Cross than this is an easy choice.
I'm definitely going to buy another S&C before I burn through this Hamilton for a proper side by side.

If you love Appleton and that Jamaican funk In your tiki mixes this is an extreme version done the old way with the pot still method. I would recommend this for anyone who is a serious connoisseur of Jamaican rums, my rating is for using it as a mixer, but I suggest using a little less in simple mixes, because it is strong and can overpower a mix. For those multiple ingredient mixes like Rum Barrels or vintage Zombies this can work well. As a sipper it’s kind of a fun novelty if you want to see how much HOGO you can handle! It does have a whiskey profile mixed with that Coruba or Myers type Jamaican. Try 1 oz Hamilton with 1oz simple syrup, 1 oz lime and a dash of bitters swizzle with crushed ice and a couple luxardo cherries. Basically a riff on Stephen Remsberg’s Planters Punch, with less rum. A fun sipper to sample with your rum buddies to see how far they have taken the funk! A rare find that I give a 9 because of rarity and uniqueness and because Ed Hamilton is a gentleman, scholar and fine judge of rum.

This is an interesting rum. It has a really unique flavor that others are calling 'funk'. I'm not a big fan of this 'funk' flavor (I don't have a better description other than 'dark agricole'); it's a little on the dry side for me. But if you like this rum, then I recommend you try the Taildragger 'After Dark' rum, which has a somewhat similar 'funk' to it, but is sweeter, stronger, and a little better imho.

So my favorite type of rum is Jamaican pot still rums and my second favorite is black blended demerara rum. This rum combines both flavor profiles beautifully and is an incredibly unique experience. First off, the aroma is incredible and filled with great amounts of funk and exceptional esters. Following that is a delicate dance of flavors starting out with that classic Jamaican fruit taste but immediately followed by a black almost demerara style of molasses. This is a truly fantastic choice in every way and I would definitely recommend this to any rum lover!

Moderate amount of fun. Fairly dark. There is something in the nose, and to a lesser degree the taste, that I can’t quite place. Something a little burnt…it’s unique, but I don’t need more than one of these.

This is a deep rich rum either for sipping or the best tiki drink recipes. Heavy molasses forward, with notes of tobacco and nutmeg.

Yeah no smells funky, tastes funky, middle is ok but it’s like a banana threw up in my mouth

I find this as an in-between of Rum Fire and Smith and Cross with extra coloring. Rum Fire being all funk, and SC being half funk and half navy overproof rum. I will always have SC in my cabinet and maybe Rum Fire, but this Hamilton I may never buy again. I don't see it's purpose. I also have the Hamilton Jamaican Gold and find it indistinguishable from the other. For me, id rather have Smith and Cross or Doctor Bird. If I want extra super-mega funk, here comes a half shot of Rum Fire.