Smith & Cross is a traditional Jamaican rum from the Hayman distillery.
Produced in the English tradition, the rum is a blend of heavy rum distilled in Wedderburn stills, aged 6 years in oak barrels, and lighter rum distilled in Plummer stills, aged between 18 months and 3 years. The whole is packaged in "Navy strength", i.e. with a titration of 57°.
Powerful and complex, Smith & Cross reflects the rums of past centuries. It is ideal for tasting and making cocktails such as Mai Tai, Planter's punch and Rumble.
Nico's tasting notes
The nose of this typically Jamaican rum opens with very powerful varnish/glue aromas, briefly tinged with a metallic (copper) hint. But don't worry, it's banana and pineapple that quickly take over to give a very "funky" profile, as they say over there.
Then candied red fruits add depth to the nose, followed by raisins and spices (cinnamon, nutmeg). It's rather sweet despite the 57°, especially as a slight vanilla woodiness takes hold.
After a little aeration, the red fruits appear, led by a slightly sour cherry. They are accompanied by blackberries and blueberries, which bring a fresher side. This freshness gives way to notes of lemon, resin and licorice, reminiscent of an Alpine candy. The spices are also finer (clove, cumin).
On the palate, there's always a touch of acidity, quickly followed by a good dose of exotic fruit (pineapple, mango, banana, papaya) roasted with pepper and chilli. It's pretty faithful to the nose, as the red fruits are back.
The aftertaste is reminiscent of a spicy honey, with the rum quickly fading from the tongue but lingering in the background for a long time, with a little alcohol all the same.
"A perfect rum to discover the character of Jamaican rums..."
On video
This rum is part of the Jamaica discovery pack which we tasted live with Olivier Scars, in a video to be found on our Youtube channel.
Blaise Dropsy
full-bodied, for tiki cocktails
Anthony Brocourt
A very good Jamaican rum, original both on the nose, where it's almost disturbing, and on the palate, with a powerful attack and a very pastry-like finish. I personally love it.
Anthony Brocourt
Very distinctive on the metallic, varnish-glue nose, but also very original on the palate, with impressive power on the attack and a pastry finish to die for. Personally, I love it, but it's not for everyone.
Blaise Dropsy
Blended 1/1 with Demara El Dorado 12 yo, perfect for making a black jamican rum in tiki cocktails worthy of Don.
Customer
Perfect, thank you!
Pascal Zanetta
Unbeatable price for such a good bottle, for tasting but especially for cocktails!
Urbain COFFI
Rival good Scotch whisky.
I love it.
GERARD MASOT
I already knew this rum. On the other hand, don't drink it immediately after opening the bottle. wait a little. very good, always surprising not to feel the 57 degrees.