Hamilton Navy Strength

Not quite what I was hoping for. A bit of uncontrolled funk with a fair bit of hotness - quite a significant bite. I find that, at a similar price, Pusser's Gunpowder Proof outperforms it by a lot.

More of that Jamaican funk but with some bite behind it.

Tasted at The Esquire on San Antonio's Riverwalk 2/17/23
Beautiful aroma - cedar, cigar, toffee - all the late-night Christmas flavors
Flavor - this is a beaut! I'm going to order this for sipping whenever I need to impress anyone that I really know how to drink rum 🔥🔥 and then my friends will cry when they try it because they aren't ready 🥰 for such a large rum

Last bottle from epic rum tasting last night. I am a huge fan of British Navy Rums, with the best ones Guyana, Trinidad, Jamaica or Barbados. This one falls short. A bit too much Jamaica for my tastes, initial funk without enough depth of the Guyana. A nice rum for the money and at overproof not to much kick. Reality 6.5

The extra 2.5% ABV on this rum over Pusser's Gunpowder Proof absolutely ruins it. It is still an okay rum deserving of my rating of 6, but no more. The Hamilton's Florida Rum Society is also light years better at 90 proof instead of this 114 Proof. Ice cubes cannot even tame this one.

Overproof goodness. The alcohol burn is mild. You can drink it neat and feel the raw or cube or water it and the burn becomes a wisper. Airing let’s the banana and pineapple peep out. Piratejabez say it all in his review. The sugar and vanilla linger well.

57% ABV—that's "full proof," as the name indicates. Lively, prickly nose. Young Jamaican funk really excited to get out of the bottle and into your senses. Benefits from time to breathe in the glass. Hint of banana and pineapple. Grounded by the rich, caramelly demerara. In the palate, full, with the same fruits, plus treacle, and an array of herbaceous notes. Anise? More pineapple. Slightly oily mouthfeel. Finish has some bitterness, with a hint of cherry, and is reasonably long. Good at bottle strength, but a few drops of water doesn't hurt.

Delicious neat, it begs to be deployed in a Navy Grog or other drinks. It's not the most refined navy rum I've ever had, but it's a good introduction to the style at a great price. If you like navy-style rums like Pusser's, don't pass this one up. It's a great deal.

7+, 8-

Aroma - black cherry followed by brown sugar, and oatmeal cookie.

Taste - banana bread followed by burnt brown sugar, molasses, and barrel spice finish.

My love of Pusser’s Gunpowder led to the purchase of Hamilton Navy Strength.. I prefer sipping over mixing and my first sample started hot.. almost too hot, but by the end it was stone fruit and toffee made its way front and center. Second go around added some water and that certainly put initial flames out and opened up a box of raisinettes. This is going to be a regular in my rotation.

The nose has the caramel and molasses notes that are common in a black rum. Nose is very reminiscent of other black rums.

On the tongue its a little hot (as one would expect from a 114 proof spirit), and the flavors overall are less strong that I would've expected. There's a subtle bitterness on the finish.

Overall a decent navy style rum and one that I look forward to mixing with.