You can count on one hand the number of truly traditional and authentic rums in the marketplace, including rums like Pussers Blue Label, Mount Gay Extra Old, Wray & Nephews Overproof, Barbancourt Five Star and perhaps Appleton Extra. You might even want to strike Mount Gay or Appleton from the list.
But there's no doubt about Smith & Cross.
This is a real Jamaican rum in every sense of the word. Jamaica style - pungent and aromatic, and with the label quietly proclaiming its constituent Plummer rums (150-200 esters) and Wedderburns (200 plus). Compare to ordinary pussified rums that typically contain but 30-50 esters.
No contest.
The Plummer component tends to contribute floral and fruity elements, while the more potent Wedderburns add the really deep fruit, heavy body and pungency. And all at a "navy strength" of 57% (114 proof). By the way, Smith & Cross make clear that this is not a "navy rum", rather "navy strength".
Do not confuse with a real navy rum, namely Pussers! Got it?
Furthermore, and like a good single malt this spirit is pot stilled and notably not chill filtered, again to create and retain as much flavor as possible. Smith & Cross is historically accurate to the genre.
But I digress. The reviews:
Sue Sea:
Me:Let me first say that I am a huge fan of Pussers, and to a lesser degree of Sea Wynde, Mount Gay Extra Old and Seales. Smith & Cross more than stands up to these. The bottle is simple and traditional, classically quiet with a deep navy blue label and understated gold leaf lettering, suggestive of the sea. The Ralph Lauren look.
Smith & Cross' aroma is simply overwhelming. Vanilla, molasses, nuts (pecan), honey/toffee, ginger, clove and cinnamon, and a complete array of fruit from high to a luscious baked orange marmalade, to deep raisins and prunes. All over a background of leather and dunder. This is a rum to savor and nose, everytime I went back I kept discovering new aromas. Overall the Smith & Cross could best be described as having a baked gingerbread, rumcake, candy and fruitcake effect, buttery and cooked. Honestly, this is perhaps the most aromatic rum I have ever nosed.
Tasting was different. We'd started at the full overproof strength of 114 proof and you knew it. Nosing was careful as was the early sipping which seemed dominated by the high alcohol content which unfortunately seemed to overpower all the lovely aroma. This rum began hot, and got glowingly hotter with clove, cinnamon, ginger and pepper. The finish was quite long, and again reflected the aromas, and with a consistent long aftertaste.
As an experiment, Jim added one, three and six milliters of water (representing just a touch of water, 98 proof and 80 proof. Even a touch of water brought out more flavors and put the alcohol burn back in its place and revealed more of the original aromas. At 98 proof, the Smith & Cross was actually quite pleasant, but when diluted to 80 proof it began to resemble a Mount Gay Extra Old, still complex, but much more drinkable and retaining a striking peppery finish.
I'd also like to suggest that you try a very small, single ice cube for tasting purposes. It was quite interesting to note the changes as the cube slowly melted. Drinking Smith & Cross on the rocks might be just perfect.
A great rum.
Warning: this is not your mommie's rum. Smith & Cross is a serious and authentic offering that you simply must experience once. It presented with dunder, and a full array of fruit - high, medium and deep, with a background leather sourness, pruney and tarry. Serious rum.
The early palate is actually sweet, but an early heat comes on fast and ever stronger. Dilution delays this effect and allows the fruit to come through. The finish is a hot cinnamon and white pepper, long and with a completely consistent aftertaste.
In retrospect, it became clear that dilution definitely opened up this rum. Even though Sue Sea has implied that full dilution (to 80 proof) caused the Smith and Cross to "fade", this is only in comparison to its original and almost overpowering strength. Truly dilution is an art, and should only be done conservatively and only after your intial tasting is done. Start with literally a couple or three drops, then you may add water gradually. We found it extemely valuable to have several drams at the ready for a ready comparison.
Note: a handy formula for dilution is (here).
In sum, Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaican Rum does not disappoint. A truly great rum that is entirely authentic, real and lives up to both its name and intent in every way. For the sophisticated rum drinker.
If you fail to buy this rum, you are not just an idiot - you are a fool. Seriously.
Score (ten is best): 9.