I’ve been sitting on this for a while because the flavors in this rum are just so strong and complex that I had a bit of difficulty putting it into words and giving it a rating. But, I think it’s about time I finally review it.

Note: This rum is a blend. 50% is 3 year LFCH, 20% is 4 year LFCH, 15% is 5 year HGML, and 15% is 2 year DOK

Review

Smell

Very bold. Distinctly Jamaican, with strong overripe banana and pineapple. It really fills the room with the scent. Compared to Great House 2024, Xaymaca smells similar, but far lighter on the nose, and smith & cross is a lot more vanilla and caramel smelling.

Taste

Just one drop on my tongue and my mouth is completely coated in funk. Aside from banana and pineapple, it evolves into something smoky, buttered popcorn, and blueberry. On the back, it’s a bit of floral notes and green apple. Compared to Great House, Xaymaca is just weak and tepid, like I am drinking spicy seltzer. Smith & Cross holds up, but it’s way more caramel and vanilla tasting. The first time I tasted Great House 2024 was just before thanksgiving dinner, and even after a full thanksgiving dinner, I would burp and taste the funk. The flavor literally lasts for hours. I also tried just letting it breathe for 15 minutes and added an ice cube, and it really opened it up and made it less overwhelming.

In a daiquiri, it’s very good. The fruit and sweetness, and to be honest, just the dilution, really improve it for me. It’s much more palatable this way. I am trying it back and forth with a Smith & Cross and Xaymaca daiquiri, and really Xaymaca isn’t even in this competition, but it’s genuinely hard to pick one between Great House and Smith & Cross. They’re both so good, and Smith & Cross delivers a better caramel note while Great House has a fantastic pineapple note.

Verdict 9/10

Can there be too much of a good thing? I feel like Great House is approaching it. If I had to either only have Great House or Smithy & Cross and had to choose, it’s hard, but I think I slightly prefer Great House. This isn’t taking the price into account. At $130, it’s a tough sell for me when Smith & Cross exists and it’s almost as good. These rums have a lot in common, but I very slightly prefer the Hampden. Not by much. I’d say half point. I heard a lot of good things about Great Houses from earlier years, maybe I will try to hunt those down.