Smith and Cross Traditional Jamaica Navy Strength

taste - 7.5/10
smell - 8/10
sweetness - 7/10
price/value rating - 8/10

Very good rum, better than Plantation OFTD, Eight Islands and Kill Devil Navy Strength.
The nose is great, very rich, intensive and fruity. No need to dilute it, it's perfect at 57% and still mild (this comment is not for beginners and sweet rum lovers).

The taste is not as balanced as the nose, backed apples are very intensive. I would mix some high ester Hampden inside. But it's also fruity without the high ester pineapple note and still delicious.
Very cheap btw, I paid just 25€ for the bottle of 0.7l and with 57% it has exceptionally good value. If you love strong and fruity rum, this is the best you can get for under 50€.
Would give this one 80 points.

Nose: backed apple, sweet and fruity with papaya, green banana, herbs/gras, pumpkin, caramel, honey
Taste initial: backed apple, honey, grasy notes
Taste middle: honey, some bitterness, dunder (ripe vegetables), citrus, spice
Finish: long, with spice, bitter notes and honey, backed apple again, some barrel
Aftertaste: very fruity, peppermint

Sweetness: 2.5/5
Fruity: 4/5
Spice: 2.5/5
Mildness: 3/5
Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 4/5
Value (23€): +5/5
Experience level: professional

Experiment 1: just mixed a hint of my 9y Hampden DOK inside. I ruined the nose, got a lot of citrus but almost no pineapple, killed the grasy notes and the honey. But the taste became a beauty, much more balanced. Less dunder, more fruits.
I'm not satisfied with it. I'm going to try a <>H Hampden next time.

Experiment 2: just mixed a 17y Bristol Caroni 1998 inside. The nose bacame less fruity and dirty (earth and barrel). Still some papaya left.
The taste is again very good, the honey and dunder is still present but overall less fruity.
Not satisfied.

Experiment 3: I mixed a hint of Kill Devil Hampden C<>H 10y 64% inside. The dunder in the nose is gone, there is pineapple and citrus in the nose. Also some grasy notes and other fruits are left.
The taste is overhelmed by pineapple. The grasy notes are gone.
It's not bad, there is some malt in the aftertaste and the honey is also still in the taste. Good blend, strong and spicy. Very complex.
Better than pure Smith and Cross? Maybe, would rate it 83.

Experiment 4: Mixed with Hampden Estate 8 is the best combination. The dunder is almost gone the whole composition is the best one. It's balanced, fruity with malt in the aftertaste. Just a beautiful blend and a great Hampden. This is a 85 for me.

I am typically a Rye Bourbon drinker, but I do love to grab a bottle of rum from time to time. I’ve typically grabbed Plantation or El Dorado. This one is very strong and would suggest on ice if you plan to sip. Love the spicy fruity flavor. Needs some chill and a bit watered down from the ice to tame it. It’s 57% Alc, if you’re surprised it’s strong.... well that’s on you.

Look at this! Tastewise it's a 7 at least. But seeing the low price, it's even an 8. Full frontal Jamaican Funk in navy strength. Good not only in a quality drink, but also neat - not lying, I tried that and it opened the door for me towards Jamaican Rum that I love ever since.

I wasn't expecting to like this one as much as i did but it really is such an interesting rum! Its probably the most flavourful rum i have tried yet and instantly makes any cocktail exciting. I can also drink this on its own or with ice because i enjoy the funky burn but this definitely shines best in cocktails like Mai Tais!

As a sipper, 7 is being generous. Funky stuff, to be sure. But as a mixer in Tiki recipes? An absolute 10. Indispensable in any serious bar, hits the funky notes you need to make an unforgettable mix.

Absolutely cracking rum as it really brings the funk and a real complex flavour . Not a sipping rum for me unless In an old fashioned. Great in painkillers and a daiquri with it is quite the experience. Upon first taste I wasn’t sure but with time absolute loving the overripe banana funk of it

This is probably a little strong in proof and profile for a supper, but makes an amazing base spirit in a punch or cocktail.

High in esters, a powerhouse of Rum - Expect strong flavours and no BS additives. Well done!

Purchased a bottle of Smith and Cross Navy Rum and my first impression was the aroma which reminded me of the Appleton 12 yr rum, however at a much higher ABV. This rum at 57% ABV is too strong to drink on its own but on the rocks, it is delicious. No added sugar, a pure and traditional Jamaican rum.