Blackwell Jamaican Rum from J. Wray & Nephew 40% 700ml

Founded by Chris Blackwell — the man who signed Bob Marley — this rum is all about heritage with rhythm. Made in Jamaica by J. Wray & Nephew, this is a blend of pot and column still rums with that unmistakable Jamaican funk dialled to mid-tempo. Not a sledgehammer. Not a whisper. Just smooth bassline and warm smoke.

On the nose, it’s pure island soul. Overripe banana, grilled pineapple, brown sugar, and molasses meet baking spice and faint diesel — that signature “hogo” of Jamaican fermentation. There’s also clove, nutmeg, allspice, and a bit of cocoa powder lurking beneath the sweetness. It smells like carnival smoke and beach bonfires.

The palate is round and balanced. Sweetness arrives first — caramel, toffee, tropical fruit compote — then layers of spice and char. Ginger, black pepper, roasted nuts, and a hint of oak bitterness provide structure. There’s funk, but it’s clean funk — well-behaved, but still thrilling.

The finish is long and warming, with a beautiful interplay of molasses, spice, and toasted fruit. It fades slowly, like the last note of a bass riff that hangs in the air.

Drink it however you like. Neat, in a Daiquiri, or built into a killer rum punch with lime and bitters. It’s a gateway to Jamaican depth with enough swagger to keep rum nerds smiling too.

Tasting Profile