Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaica Rum is a bold and funky spirit that showcases the classic Jamaican rum style with its high ester content and robust flavors. Interestingly, this rum is bottled at "navy strength" (57% ABV), a historical proof that ensured gunpowder would still ignite if the rum accidentally spilled on it during naval battles.

Nose: Ripe banana, molasses, and brown sugar dominate. Funk and overripe fruit notes reminiscent of pineapple and mango. Hints of vanilla and oak in the background.

Palate: Intense and full-bodied. Tropical fruit flavors like grilled pineapple and banana bread. Spicy notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. Molasses sweetness balanced by a sharp, almost medicinal edge. Oily texture coats the mouth.

Finish: Long and warming. Lingering flavors of caramelized sugar, overripe bananas, and baking spices. Slight astringency and a touch of oak. The funk and fruit notes persist, leaving a complex, memorable impression.