Cargo Cult Navy Strength Rum. Cargo Cult Navy Strength Rum. I last reviewed an offering from the Cargo Cult stable way back in 2018.

At the time it was their only rum on the market. It was heralded as a “sugar free” Dry Spiced Rum. Fast forward to 2024 and they have a Banana flavoured rum but they have also released their first “straight” rum. This Navy Strength offering which I am reviewing today.

Cargo Cult Navy Strength rum is produced by independent bottler The Small Batch Spirits Company, thanks to the drive of Steve Magarry, former Distillery Manager at Beenleigh and brand founder Jonny Croft. The focus is very much on premium brands from Australia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

The name Cargo Cult derives from a belief prevalent in the South Pacific islands, which originated when American troops landed there during World War II. Bringing with them a seemingly inexhaustible supply of goods the islanders had never seen before chocolate, medicine, chewing gum, jeeps and cigarettes to name but a few.

In the eyes of the people living on the islands, who had never had much contact with the outside world, this event took on an aura of a miracle. So when the troops left, there was a desire among the islanders to see another cargo ship loaded with goods return. The wish was expressed in a series of prayers to various deities for the magical cargo ship to return. According to legend, this cult is still active on some of the more remote islands.

Bottled at 54.5% ABV Cargo Cult Navy Strength Rum is a blend of 3 year old Pot Still rums from Fiji and Papa New Guinea. The rum has been blended and aged for those 3 years in Adelaide, Australia. Cargo Cult Navy Strength Rum has been aged in ex-bourbon barrels.

In the UK you will find a 70cl bottle of Cargo Cult Navy Strength Rum at Master of Malt for £43.95. Which is not a bad price for a 54.5% ABV rum which has had to circumnavigate the globe.

I have a bottle from Batch #1 to review today so why don’t we dive in?

In the glass Cargo Cult Navy Strength Rum is a light to golden brown. It doesn’t shimmer and is slightly dull/hazy.

On the nose we are immediately hit with that Fijian funk which whilst similar to Jamaican funk has its own distinct character. Quite what the Papa New Guinea rum adds to the mix – I am not sure as I am not familiar with liquid from the island. Going by this blend I am assuming it is quite similar to the Fiji profile. Or the Fijian profile is dominating.

Familiar notes of varnish, shoe polish, a touch of creosote, some hot tar are immediate on the nose. Beneath this we get a herbal note and some cough mixture.

Further nosing reveals some fruity sweetness with peach and strawberry coming through. This mingles alongside some nice burnt banana and some more floral notes – a bit like Floral Gums (English jelly sweets).

It is equal parts sweet and equal parts menacing with a nice woody/oaky note binding it all together.

At just 3 years old and at 54.5% ABV I was expecting a little more roughness but whilst I would not consider this “mellow” in anyway – the alcohol is much better integrated and the overall profile is a little softer than I had anticipated.

On the sip you are overwhelmed initially with the sheet amount of flavour. You really do get the full on funky Fiji experience with this. Lots of herbal notes initially followed by those tarry notes and those funky overripe fruit notes. It isn’t as sweet as the nose and it does have a bitter, drier more woody profile when taken neat at full strength.

Further sips re-introduce some of the sweeter notes as your palate adjusts to the flavour onslaught. So I am beginning to get some of the lighter sweeter strawberry and berry notes. There is also a toffee/caramel note mingling in for an extra layer.

The mid palate is hot and peppery with a nice does of black pepper and a kick of chilli.

As we move into the finish we begin to notice more of the barrel influence with more pronounced oaky notes, leather armchairs and some cigar smoke.

Cargo Cult Navy Strength Rum reminds me of Bounty Overproof – only better. It has more variety in the flavour and is a little more refined overall. It works much better as a sipper.

Mixed this really does bring a lot to the party. In a simple rum and coke it really adds a lot of flavour and intensity to the drink. I would imagine it would really elevate cocktails which either require Jamaican and/or Overproof rum.

There is so much going on with this rum. It really works as both a sipper and a mixer, despite its relative young age.

This is really excellent stuff.