Smith & Cross

Smith & Cross is an iconic Jamaican rum, which ranks among the most authentic expressions of the traditional "Navy Strength style. Its roots go back to 18th century London, where Smith & Cross operated as a colonial spirits merchant. The brand has continued this tradition and brings a rum that is a direct reference to historic Jamaican rums.

The modern brand Smith & Cross was revived by Haus Alpenz and is now produced directly in Jamaica in cooperation with the legendary Hampden Estate Distillery, renowned for making “high ester” rums with a rich and distinctive character.

Smith & Cross is made from molasses derived from Jamaican sugarcane. Distillation takes place in traditional copper pot stills, which are essential for creating ester-rich rums. The maturation is a combination of younger and older rums aged in ex-bourbon casks, both under Jamaica’s tropical conditions and partly in Europe. The rum is bottled with no added sugar or caramel to preserve absolute authenticity. Its alcohol content is 57 % ABV, known as “Navy Strength” – the traditional British naval proof tested by mixing the rum with gunpowder: if the powder still ignited, the rum was strong enough.

Its flavor profile is explosive and complex. On the nose, it bursts with bananas, pineapple, tropical fruit, fermentation notes, and caramelized sugar. The palate is robust and full-bodied, with classic estery notes, molasses, raisins, dried plums, and spicy accents. The finish is long, warming, and marked by an intense fruity-smoky touch. This rum reveals the true face of Jamaican style – wild, untamed, and unmistakable.

Smith & Cross is one of the most accessible “pure pot still” Jamaican rums and has become a favorite among bartenders and rum connoisseurs. Thanks to its strength, it is often used in cocktails such as the Mai Tai or Daiquiri, where it shines through and delivers intense character. For many, it has become the reference rum to understand Jamaican “funk,” also known as hogo – the distinctive estery aroma and flavor.

Smith & Cross thus unites London’s mercantile history with Jamaica’s distilling tradition. It is a rum for the bold – intense, estery, and powerful – a perfect representation of the uniqueness of Jamaican rum.