Crossfire Hurricane Gold

Introduction

So here we have it. Another celebrity backed spirit to dissect. Crossfire Hurricane Gold Jamaica Rum, brought to us by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the rest of The Rolling Stones. Let us be clear. I am a fan of the band’s better output, but celebrity rums typically make me want to reach for the nearest bucket. They are almost universally overpriced and pumped full of sugar to mask the substandard, mass produced liquid hiding inside the bottle.

However, before I completely write this one off, there is a glimmer of hope. The team behind this relaunched version (there was a different blend which came out a few years back), brought in Global Rum Ambassador Ian Burrell to oversee the blend. Ian actually knows what he is talking about and cares about the integrity of the category. Most of the time anyway.

The liquid itself is sourced from four absolute powerhouses of Jamaican rum Hampden Estate, Long Pond, Worthy Park and Clarendon. That is a serious, heavyweight lineup. The only glaringly obvious omission is Appleton Estate. Clearly the direction this rum wanted to go in was set to be pretty funky so only Worthy Park seems to have been brought in to maybe soften some of the rough edges.

The exact make up of the blend has not been disclosed. To be fair that is often the case and certainly not exclusive to Crossfire Hurricane Gold. Unaged rum from Clarendon has been blended with rums aged up to 5 years from the remaining distilleries. It is a mixture of Pot and Column still rums. If I get any more information on the blend I will publish.

It is bottled at 40% ABV, which is perfectly standard for a mass market release, and it comes in at a fairly reasonable £35 for a 70cl bottle. Let us see if this Jumpin’ Jack Flash inspired juice is actually any good, or if it is just another cynical cash grab? Let’s face it the Strollin’ Bones are not adverse to that………

Tasting

When you pour Crossfire Hurricane Gold into the glass, it presents itself as a fairly standard, but vibrant gold rum. It is a light, straw like amber, which suggests there has not been a terribly heavy hand with the E150a caramel colouring. Though at this price point and commercial scale, you can never completely rule out a drop or two for batch to batch consistency.

As always, the very first thing I did before sitting down to evaluate this dram was to subject it to the Hydrometer Test. Transparency is something I have championed on this site for years, and it is refreshing to see a brand actually adhere to the GI standards of Jamaica. Thankfully, my hydrometer confirms what the brand promised, there is zero added sugar here. The reading is exactly where it should be for an unadulterated 40% ABV spirit. We are off to a positive start.

The blend itself is a strategic marriage of pot and column still distillates, pulling in unaged components from Clarendon alongside aged rums up to five years old. All of these aged rums spent their time exclusively in first fill ex bourbon barrels, which should give us some familiarity. Though blending all these distilleries together in one bottle is a first for me. As far as I know at least.

On the nose, you are immediately greeted by that unmistakable Jamaican funk, though it has clearly been dialled down a touch to appeal perhaps to a wider, mass market audience. It is certainly not the aggressive, high ester, overripe banana and rotting pineapple onslaught you would get from a pure Hampden or Long Pond release.

Instead, Crossfire Hurricane Gold is far more approachable and restrained. There are definitely distinct notes of ripe banana, a touch of papaya and some fresh pineapple, but they are tightly wrapped up in softer, sweeter aromas of vanilla, light caramel and oak spices. The time this rum spent in first fill ex bourbon barrels is quite evident. The nose is very definitely Jamaican but not overpowering or off putting to even a “newbie” to rum. Bourbon drinkers will likely enjoy the clear influence.

Taking a sip, the initial delivery is clean. The 40% ABV provides a balanced mouthfeel that hits the sweet spot. The flavour profile is entirely solid. The entry is quite sweet, but it is a natural, fruity sweetness derived purely from the molasses and the time in the barrels. Those notes of vanilla and coconut from the bourbon casks lead the way, quickly followed by caramelised banana and a hint of dark chocolate.

Moving into the mid palate, the pot still funk starts to show its face a bit more clearly. There is a slight, pleasant smokiness, a touch of tobacco and a wave of peppery spice that balances out the initial fruitiness.

The finish is relatively short to medium in length. It dries out quite nicely, leaving behind a lingering note of toasted oak, a whisper of smoke and a final hit of ginger spice. It is a very clean finish.

It’s a decent enough sipper and really quite nicely balanced. I think though its more universal appeal will likely be mixed with cola and in cocktails.

It’s the type of rum which doesn’t hide or disappear when mixed with cola. It makes a very nice rum and cola. It carries a lot of flavour through into the drink. In cocktails it will work very well and perhaps provide a lower ABV alternative where a powerful punch of Jamaican funk is required.

Verdict

Crossfire Hurricane Gold is, against all of my initial expectations, a surprisingly decent offering. It manages to deliver a genuine Jamaican profile without succumbing to the temptation of sugar doctoring that plagues so much of the celebrity spirits sector. While it is not going to set the world on fire or provide the high ester, high proof complexity that true enthusiasts crave, it does its job as a high quality, transparent and approachable mixer with surprising competence.

It is refreshing to see a brand that prioritises the liquid and the integrity of the origin over cheap gimmicks. The use of four distinct Jamaican distilleries Hampden, Long Pond, Worthy Park and Clarendon—shows a level of commitment to the liquid that is rare in this price bracket. It serves as an excellent entry point into the world of Jamaican rum.

Final Thought: A rare win for a celebrity brand; transparent, authentic and actually worth the shelf space. I might even like it a bit more than Appleton Signature as well!