Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaica Rum Hayman´s Rom 57%

There's rum, and then there's rum that smells of varnish and copper before it turns fruity at all. Smith & Cross is the latter category, a faithful copy of the powerful style English bars once built their tiki drinks around.

Expert Description

Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaica Rum is a Jamaica Rum from pot still distillate and bottled at 57%.

The rum consists entirely of Wedderburn and Plummer pot still marks, two classic, high-ester Jamaican styles known for caramelised banana, exotic fruit and an earthy, funky finish. The brand is produced by Hayman Distillers, which considers itself the successor to the historic houses Smith & Tyers and White Cross, which once operated side by side for generations.

At 57% and with its powerful, pot still-driven character, Smith & Cross is built to carry through even the most flavour-intense tiki cocktails without drowning in ice, fruit and syrup.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Powerful varnish and glue-like aroma with a hint of copper, overripe banana, leather, spice and molasses.

Palate

Almost buttery start that quickly explodes into tobacco, tropical fruit, cinnamon and clove.

Finish

Surprisingly creamy with a lingering, spiced warmth and underlying tinned pineapple and tropical fruit.

Specifications

Name: Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaica Rum
Bottler: Hayman Distillers
Region/Country: Jamaica
Type: Rum
ABV: 57%
Size: 70 CL
Distillation Method: Pot still distillation (Wedderburn and Plummer)
EAN: 5021692500963
Serving Suggestion: In powerful tiki cocktails such as Mai Tai or Jungle Bird

Flavour Profile

Funky · Ester-rich · Powerful · Tropical · Spiced

Did You Know?

Wedderburn and Plummer aren't distilleries but the names of two classic, very high ester marks in Jamaican rum production, a technique dating back to 19th-century attempts to create as powerful and aromatic a rum as possible for the European market.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaica Rum

What is Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaica Rum?

It's a Jamaica Rum built entirely on pot still distillate in the classic Wedderburn and Plummer styles, bottled at full strength of 57%.

Why is the strength 57%?

The high strength, close to navy strength, is chosen to give the rum enough power to carry through even the most flavour-intense tiki cocktails without becoming diluted.

What does Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaica Rum taste like?

It tastes powerfully of overripe banana, copper, tobacco and tropical fruit, with a creamy, spiced finish of tinned pineapple.

What are Wedderburn and Plummer?

They are two classic Jamaican pot still styles with very high ester levels, a technique that gives the funky, aromatic character Jamaican rum is known for.

Who makes Smith & Cross?

The rum is produced by Hayman Distillers, which considers itself the successor to the historic English rum houses Smith & Tyers and White Cross.

How should Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaica Rum be enjoyed?

It's built for powerful tiki cocktails such as a Mai Tai or Jungle Bird, where its funky, ester-rich character can carry the drink.