Tasting
and Serving Guidance
The great tradition of this style is reflected in the famous drink recipes
that call specifically for Jamaica rum. Make no mistake, this is not a sipping
rum by contemporary standards. Upon initial pour, allow a minute to open up
before tasting. We suggest exploring the profile first in the Jamaica Rum
Daquiri (see sidebar) and from there to other classics.
On Production
and the Wedderburn & Plummer
Through the 19th century and into the earlier 20th century, Jamaica Rum was
revered for its deep full flavors and pleasing aromas. In this era, rum fell
into three general classes, Local Trade Quality, Export Trade Quality (mainly
an ester-intensive "High Continental" style for the German market),
and Home Trade Quality for UK (and US) consumption. In the mid 20th century appeared
the more familiar "Common Clean" light and/or sweeter styles on
offer today, made with the column-still product introduced in the late 1950s.
The heavier bodied Wedderburn and medium bodied Plummer styles were made with
a combination of the molasses, skimmings, cane juice, and syrup bottoms from
sugar production, and the dunder of the previous rum production. A Jamaica
tradition has been the use of wild yeasts indigenous to the region in the
fermentation process, which is arguably a major contributor to the special
body and flavor. The end result is a rum of tremendous and local character.
This Expression
Here we offer a blend of approximately equal parts Wedderburn and Plummer, the former aged for less than a year, and the latter split between 18 months and 3 years on white oak. It is not a style that necessarily benefits from further aging, as the oak can dominate the fruit and spice notes within and in time dampen the aromas.
Navy Strength
57% ABV (50% by weight, or 100° English proof) was the traditional strength
required by the British Royal Navy. At this proof a spill of the spirits would
not prevent gunpowder from igniting. As important, this degree of concentration
provided an efficiency in conveyance on board and onward to trading partners
far away.
Navy Strength should not be confused with Navy Rum, which was for over 200
years a daily ration in the British Royal Navy, and traditionally composed
of rums principally from Guyana, also Jamaica and Barbados.
This rum
represents the distinctively flavorful and aromatic style that made Jamaica
rum famous in the late 19th and early 20th century. Containing only Wedderburn
and Plummer pot still distillates, famous for their notes of exotic fruits
and spice, it delivers a tour de force of flavour and complexity that historically
made Jamaica rum a cornerstone of many classic drinks.
The mark of Smith & Cross traces its lineage to 1788 as one of England’s oldest producers of sugar and spirits.
Over time, the firm and its partners became prominent handlers of Jamaica Rum, with extensive underground cellars
along the river Thames.
Smith
& Cross
Traditional Jamaica Rum
Pure Pot-Still
Navy Strength
57% Alc (114 proof)
700ml & 750ml
Product of Jamaica
Bottled in London
London & Rum
The sugar trade was a cornerstone of the British Empire, and from the 19th
century had its largest trading hub in London. In 1802 an entire new section
of the Port of London, the West India Docks, was built to process the vast
amounts of sugar and rum arriving from British colonies in the Caribbean.
The Rum Dock section grew famous for product aged therein. For generations
England was Jamaica's best market for rum and for this reason the world went
to London to source the finest marks.
About Smith & Cross
The mark of Smith & Cross traces its lineage to one of England's oldest producers
of sugar and spirits. It's history dates back to 1788 with a sugar refinery
located at No. 203 Thames Street by the London Docks. Over time, the firm
and its partners became prominent handlers of Jamaica rum, with extensive
cellars along the river Thames. Smith & Cross today stands as successors
in trade to Smith & Tyers and White Cross, both having previously operated
side by side for generations in the house of what is today Hayman Distillers.
Recognition Where Due
As the Smith & Cross production lines have been dormant for many years, its
revival owes tremendous gratitide to the encouragement, insights and guidance
of spirits historian David Wondrich. Our special thanks as well to the numerous
others who contributed in so many ways.
Traditional
Jamaica Rum
Drink Recipes
_____________
Jamaica Rum Daquiri
1oz Jamaica Rum
1oz Fresh Lime Juice
2/3oz Simple Syrup
shake over ice, strain
Million
1 1/2oz Jamaica Rum
3/4oz Fresh Lemon Juice
3/4oz Simple Syrup
2 dashes Angostura
shake over ice, strain
The Doctor
1oz Jamaica Rum
1oz Swedish Punsch
1oz Fresh Lime Juice
shake, strain, lime
Planter's Punch
3oz Jamaica Rum
1oz Fresh Lime Juice
1/2oz Fresh Lemon Juice
1/2oz Grenadine
1/4 tsp superfine sugar
stir over cracked ice
strain into Collins glass
with cracked ice
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