Hamilton Navy Strength Rum is one of the bottles our bartenders get genuinely excited about at Camp West in West Seattle. Bottled at a bracing 57% ABV, it is the kind of high-proof, full-flavored rum that holds its own in a crowded tiki cocktail without getting buried under crushed ice and fruit juice. Created by rum authority Ed Hamilton, it is exactly the sort of well-made, no-nonsense spirit that fits our cabin-inspired bar in the Junction.
About the Distillery
Hamilton rums come from Ed Hamilton, the man behind the long-running Ministry of Rum, one of the most respected names in the rum world. Rather than running a single estate, Hamilton sources distillates from established Caribbean producers and blends them with a purist’s eye. The Navy Strength expression is blended and proofed at Hamilton’s facility in Westfield, New York, marrying the components and slowly stirring them before bringing the blend down to bottling strength with filtered water.
Style & Region
This is a navy-strength blended rum, drawing on high-proof Jamaican pot still rum and aged Demerara-style rum from Guyana. “Navy strength” means 57% ABV (114 proof), the historic threshold at which rum-soaked gunpowder would still ignite, the Royal Navy’s old test that the rum had not been watered down. The result is a bold, aromatic Caribbean blend built for serious mixing.
Tasting Notes
Expect a powerful, layered nose of tropical fruit, baking spice, and a signature Jamaican funk, backed by the dark, molasses-rich depth of the Guyanese component. The palate is intense and full, with brown sugar, ripe banana, and a warming, oaky finish. The high proof carries the flavor far, which is exactly the point.
How to Enjoy It at Camp West
This rum was practically made for tiki. Ask for it in a Mai Tai, a Jungle Bird, or any rum cocktail that needs backbone, where its big proof and bold character cut cleanly through the other ingredients. Curious drinkers can also try a careful sip neat to appreciate the intensity. Hamilton Navy Strength is a $10 pour at Camp West.
FAQ
Why is it called navy strength? Navy strength refers to 57% ABV, the proof at which rum-soaked gunpowder still ignites, a historic Royal Navy benchmark for undiluted rum.
Is it too strong to drink straight? It is potent at 114 proof, so most guests enjoy it in a cocktail, though adventurous sippers can try a small neat pour.
Ready to settle in? Book a table, browse the full rum list, or explore our beverage menu.