Hamilton Navy Strength Rum
Hamilton Navy Strength Rum is a 750mL rum at 57% ABV — 114 proof, the traditional navy strength. Ed Hamilton finalised the blend in September 2016 after bartenders from Boston to DC asked for a pre-bottled navy rum: 60% high-proof aged Guyanese Demerara rum and 40% high-proof Jamaican pot still rum from Worthy Park Estate, stirred slowly for 48 hours, then diluted to 114 proof with filtered well water at the Five & 20 Distillery in Westfield, New York. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 57% (114 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Blend: 60% aged Guyanese Demerara rum + 40% Worthy Park Jamaican pot still rum (official)
- Ageing: No age statement — aged stocks, no duration published
- Bottling: Blended and proofed at Five & 20 Distillery, Westfield, NY (finalised September 2016)
Navy Strength, Blended on Purpose
Before this bottle existed, Hamilton's own bar fix was an ounce of his 151 plus a fat half-ounce of Jamaican pot still — so he tested ratios (60/40, 50/50, 40/60, then 65/35, 55/45) until 60/40 won: Demerara depth carrying Worthy Park funk at a strength that still mixes. Browse the range on the Hamilton vendor page or see more rum and spirits.
Tasting Notes
From Hamilton's description: tropical fruits, exotic spices, tobacco, vanilla and smoke on the nose; dried fruit and honey on the palate; a long finish.
How to Enjoy
Bottled for spirit-forward rum cocktails — Navy Grogs, Zombies and Jet Pilots — and satisfying neat with a few drops of water to open it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is navy strength? 57% ABV (114 proof) — the traditional British Royal Navy strength, at which rum-soaked gunpowder was said still to ignite.
What is in the blend? 60% aged Guyanese Demerara rum and 40% Worthy Park Jamaican pot still rum, per the producer.
How old is it? It carries no age statement — Hamilton describes both components as aged stocks without publishing a duration.
Full navy proof, properly blended — order Hamilton Navy Strength online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.