Smith and Cross Traditional Jamaica Navy Strength

This is some of the best value for money rum, I have ever tasted. I always have a bottle of this in my homebar! Great for drinking neat, and works wonders in all and any cocktail that calls for a rum with an attitude! Fantastic rum!

Alcohol content overpowered taste for me. May try again using like 151. Pricy.

This rum is unlike most that I have tried. Very powerful on the nose (at 57% ABV) and has that pot still presence that I have noticed with other Jamaican rums. On the palate it kind of knocks you silly with strength and leaves you reeling as you take in the complexity behind the initial power. Lots to like there, some sweetness, oak and other flavors as well.
I tried it neat first and then with ice. Ice mellows it a fair bit, but I thought it lost some of what made it so interesting to taste. I plan on trying it with just a few drops of Spring water to see if I can find a good balance.
Definitely worth trying, but could understand if some don't enjoy it's outgoing personality.

The bartenderd at the Rum House in NYC introduced me to his home rum from Jamaica. The glass starts a little hot but you quickly get the feeling her. S&C neat or on a rock would be my recommendation. Sit back and sip slowly.

Having done a side-by-side comparison, I'm going to compare this to Hamilton Pot Still rum—my previous Jamaican dark.

Appearance:
- Cleaner, minimalist modern/art deco label
- Higher ABV (57 v. 46.5)
- Lighter in color (compared to Hamilton Black version)
Aroma
- Less pot-still pungency; "brighter"
- Hogo is different, and less pronounced
- Banana and rotting fruit
Taste
- More on the palate
- Dryer
- Lacks burnt caramel of Hamilton
- More oak & astringency
In the Throat
- Both go down smooth, despite their high ABV. S&C could use a drop of water (optional).

Conclusion:
- Both are fantastic. They are similar in character, but have their differences. S&C is dryer, stronger, oakier, and lighter in color and aroma. But the fact that is is as smooth as it is at 57% speaks well to its creators. I can see how it has become the gold standard for this style of rum. For me, personally, I'll opt for the $5 cheaper Hamilton, which I find a tad more aromatic and Tiki-friendly. (Note: Comparative findings are a result of drinking neat. Perhaps in the future I'll be able to actually compare these in a cocktail and see if I learn something new!)

I purchased based on lots of recommendations. I used the recipe on the bottle and was quite pleased. I was surprised how much better this goes with Lemon vs Lime. Its like an entirely different rum when used with Lime. Also has some good Jamaican funk, though no where near the
level of the Hamilton Black Jamaican Pot Still.

Edit: just made my first Old Fashioned with this. Ice and Sugar really cut the alcohol down. Makes for a very flavorful beverage.

The perfect Jamaican funky rum at navy strength ideal for tiki cocktails.

Awesome Jamaican rum. Amazing complexity and really the definition of Jamaican "funk". Some spice and plenty of octane :) Try it neat for the full experience.

Please, show me something better. And NOT something with added sugar.

I'm going to buy like 4 bottles of this next time I see it.

This rum has a lot going on and definitely is Jamaican. Have it neat and if you want a twist try some Mole Xocolatyl bitters with it - very nice way to end an evening

Wow! Intense flavor, in a nice way - I can't really peg it. Very smooth for an overproof rum - I cut it with selzer & enjoyed it very much.