Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaica Rum
Hayman Ltd. (UK) · Hampden Estate, Trelawny, Jamaica
Smith & Cross is rum with its gloves off. Bottled at a scorching 57% — the old British proof strength — the point at which spirit-soaked gunpowder would still ignite, a benchmark used by the Royal Navy to verify their rum had not been watered down.
Nose
Explosive tropical fruit — overripe pineapple, banana, passion fruit — with tobacco, molasses, cinnamon bark, and the funky ester character (hogo) that defines Hampden
Palate
Bold and untamed — brown sugar, tropical fruit, clove, black pepper, tobacco leaf, muscovado, with a buttery richness that gives way to an intense spice-driven heat at navy strength
Finish
Long, spicy, and deeply funky with lingering tropical fruit, molasses, and warm tobacco
- Base Ingredient
- Sugarcane molasses
- Distillation
- Copper pot still distilled, blend of Wedderburn and Plummer style marks
Cocktail Suggestion
Cocktail — The Navy Daiquiri: 2 oz Smith & Cross · 1 oz fresh lime juice · 0.75 oz demerara syrup · Lime wheel. Shake vigorously with ice, fine strain into a chilled coupe.
Food Pairing
Pair with: Jamaican jerk chicken — the rum's spice and tropical fruit are a natural echo of the scotch bonnet and allspice in the marinade.
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