Smith and Cross Traditional Jamaica Navy Strength

I stumbled across this rum at a local seafood restaurant. It was not bad but not real special to my taste buds either. Not real strong on flavor, slight citrusy taste and maybe a bit oaky in the finish. I expected more from the way the bar tender talked it up.

I find this stuff rather unpalatable by itself, but blend it in a tiki drink such as the "Beachcomber's Gold" and it brings the cocktail to life. (I've included my recipe below)

1oz Bacardi 8
1/4oz Appleton 12yr
1/4oz Smith & Cross
1/2oz simple syrup
6 drops St. George Absinthe Verte
4 drops almond extract
1/4 cup crushed Ice

Blend on high for no more than 5 seconds and strain into a chilled glass.(garnish to your liking)

Highly aromatic, high esters pot still Jamaican rum. The smells and flavour are so funky and different what I have been used to. First Jamaican style tum so not sure if it is the norm. Bottled at navy strength so look forward in some cocktails as should hold up those distinct flavours.

Although strong (57°) this rum is perfectly balanced beetween orange peels and cinnamon with a great woody finish... Sip neat or on ice... Not for children though :-)

Rhum qui ne plaira pas à tout le monde. Un nez génial, tres original. En bouche c'est plus décevant, manque de finesse, mais pas inintéressant. Pour moins de 40€ ça vaut tout de même le coup

Very sharp with a high proof to boot. Unfortunately the initial palate shock does nothing for the remainder of the drink. Sugar cane to start and nothing to finish. I was really hoping for more, best avoided.

I don't like it as a sipper, but this rum is probably able to give any Mix its stamp. Even if one would mix with motor oil, you could still taste this rum out of a cocktail that would kill you.

even when mixed with soda, it gives that warming feeling. Not my favorite, but it gets the the job done.

Nose. Vegetal and funky with lingering honey and chocolate notes.

Exciting and explosive on the palate. On first sip I was instantly transported back to my youth in the Caribbean. Fishing off the coast of a Caye, chewing sugar cane you just chopped with a rusty machete, drinking swill from an unlabeled bottle on a hot night. This is what it tastes like.

Exceptional in a Daiquiri. Demerara sugar, cold draft cubes, do it right.

Favourite naval strength I've tried yet. Great for Tiki drinks.

Nose: Very rich. Honey and Maraschino cherry.
Feel: Little Oily, followed by a sharp bite from the booze.
Taste: Not for sipping. Good funky taste I would expect from a Jamaican. Quite heavy sugar. Great in cocktails which call for a single rum as it carries lots of flavour as well as alcohol.
Presentation: A little boring, but clean.
Cost/Value: 38 CAD. Worth it.