Smith and Cross Traditional Jamaica Navy Strength

Right after opening the bottle I can tell: Great smell. It is comparable to my current favorite Jamaican, the 12 years old Appleton, but more intense. You don't even need to dunk your nose into the glass, the ester smells just waft through the room when serving.

Drinking it neat, taste-wise there isn't much to it, the alcohol is very overpowering. It just leaves an oily, warm feeling on the tongue and some burn in the throat.

After diluting to 43% (using me trusty density table and assuming 20°C, no sugar added: Add 36% of water by weight), the picture looks different: On the tongue, there is a nice alcoholic sweetness and reminds of Ritter Sport Rum (esters, raisins, nuts, cocoa), very comparable to the Appleton. Unfortunately, the finish is not so nice, the harsh sharpness and slight herbal bitterness stays, which shows its young age. That is more of a nitpick, it is by no means as bad as in young Whiskies, three years in the tropics go a much longer way than three years in Scotland.

At ca. 25€ per bottle, it is a good value.

Side note: I added a dash to a glass of Coke. Harmonizes well and tastes like Coke with rum-raisins. So, I suppose it's also good in cocktails or as flavoring in liqueurs. From experience with other Coke+X combinations: The sugar is important for sweetness and as a flavor enhancer, don't try Zero/Light and then complain about the weak taste...

Beautiful bottle. Nice color. Tastes nice but quickly gets lost in a hot alcohol bloom you can find the flavor in.

I’m not a huge fan of Jamaican rum or Navy rum. This one is definitely in that category but still nice to sip. Seems like an excellent example.

Is it supposed to taste like that?
Not real sure what to say about this one. “Funky” doesn’t begin to describe it.
I’m sure it’s good for something, I just haven’t figure out what. I can’t drink it neat, and it will absolutely ruin a glass of coke. We’ll try it in the Christmas rum balls and see how it goes.

Très bon rapport qualité prix pour ce rhum jamaïcain "funky".

Tasted April 21, 2021 at Laka Lono.
Sampled in a Daiquiri form after a quick sip, others around me must have been concerned about its strength of character?
The notes are simple: Tasty!!!!! and a smiley face.
*I promise, my notes have improved since then
Update: July 26, 2023 at Laka Lono Kill Devil rum club
Appearance: swampy clear
Aroma: funk
Flavor: oh my. Dust, metal, sage, deliciousness ❤️❤️❤️

Specified for some tiki drinks . Others like the pain killer which it isn’t “prescribed” but goes well. Cobra fang
It’s fine for sipping too. Strong flavor but clean. Some major esters. The flavor more tasty and sweetish. Finishes rich, smooth

Dark golden colour in a plain bottle. A slight aroma of oak, a hint of whisky. A lot of fire in the mouth but too much of a whisky flavour for me. No sweetness in the glass. Whisky drinking friends all loved it.

Just the correct amount of Jamaica funk. Perfect for a Zombie

Good to keep in your rotation, sometimes you just want something to warm your insides.