Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Smith &Cross Traditional Jamaican Rum

     Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaican Rum is one of the bold rums that was around in the early 20th century.     This is a blend of heavy and medium bodied pot-still rums and presented at 57% or Navy Strength.     Where the modern Jamaican rums are for the sippers, this bold style rum works best in a bold cocktail.    

      The aroma is strong with alcohol, but packed with very complex and strong flavors, with a warm and strong finish.     The rum is best used in traditional Jamaican cocktails such as the daiquiri, or a Jamaican Mule.     This blend of unaged Wedderburn rum and 1 1/2 to 3 year old Plummer rums really does not lend itself to further aging, because the wood will tend t dominate the fruits and spices that are so prevalent now, and further mute the aromas.

     Smith & Cross lends itself to some bold cocktails:

     Smith & Cross Punch
  • 2 oz Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaican Rum
  • 1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
  • 1/2 oz Cane syrup
  • 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters.
Shake over Ice and strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice and garnish with fresh ground nutmeg.

     Smith & Cross Swizzle
  • 1 oz Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaican Rum
  • 1/4 oz Falernum
  • 1 1/2 oz Pineapple Juice
  • 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
  • 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
Add all ingredients to a glass full of crushed ice and swizzle until the glass frosts on the outside.
garnish with a sprig of mint.

     Try any of these traditional cocktails or try replacing any darker rum with Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaican Rum and watch the cocktail come to life.     ;o)