Smith & Cross is the rum bartenders reach for when a cocktail needs backbone, and it’s a proud member of the lineup at Camp West in West Seattle. This is pure pot still Jamaican rum bottled at navy strength, bold, funky, and unmistakable. It’s not a shy spirit, and that’s exactly why we keep it on our cabin-inspired shelf for guests who want the real, full-flavored Jamaican experience.
About the Distillery
The Smith & Cross name traces its lineage back to 1788, when it was one of England’s most prominent handlers of Jamaica rum. Today the rum is bottled in London but sourced entirely from Jamaica, built from traditional “Wedderburn” and “Plummer” pot still marks. It’s widely regarded as a benchmark for old-style, high-character Jamaican rum.
Style & Region
This is a 100% pot still Jamaican rum bottled at navy strength, 57% ABV. It blends a heavier-bodied, high-ester Wedderburn component with a medium-bodied Plummer component aged in ex-bourbon barrels. The high ester content is the source of its famously funky, hogo-rich character that Jamaican rum is known for.
Tasting Notes
Expect intense, funky esters with notes of grilled pineapple, caramelized banana, green apple, and tangerine, layered with tobacco and vanilla bean. It’s powerful and concentrated, with a long, warming finish. The navy-strength proof means there’s a lot of flavor packed into every drop.
How to Enjoy It at Camp West
At 57% ABV, Smith & Cross is a serious sipper for the curious, best with a little water or a single cube to open it up. But it truly comes alive in cocktails, a classic Mai Tai, a Jamaican-leaning tiki drink, or anywhere you want bold rum funk to cut through. A pour runs $10. Ask our bartenders to build something around it.
FAQ
What does “navy strength” mean?
Navy strength refers to rum bottled at a minimum of 57% ABV, the historic British Navy proof. It delivers more intensity and concentration than a standard 40% rum.
Why does Smith & Cross taste so “funky”?
The funk comes from its high ester content, a hallmark of traditional pot still Jamaican rum, which produces those bold tropical-fruit and tobacco notes.
Up for something bold? Book a table, browse the full rum list, or explore our complete beverage menu.