Smatt's

Smatt’s Rum is a boutique Jamaican rum brand launched by Ashley Smatt around 2008 in Montego Bay. Rooted in both heritage and innovation, the brand is inspired by the legend of “Black Jack Smatt”—a merchant-turned-pirate whose adventurous spirit is woven into the brand identity. Smatt’s Rum aims to balance traditional Jamaican methods with modern craftsmanship, promising smoothness and character in every bottle.

Ingredients & Terroir

• Smatt’s sources its molasses exclusively from locally grown Jamaican sugarcane, ensuring authenticity and a true sense of place. This commitment to local ingredients captures the island’s terroir in every batch.

  
  

• The water used in production is drawn from natural mineral springs near McLeash Town in the foothills of Jamaica’s Blue Mountains. Filtered through layers of volcanic and limestone rock, this mineral-rich water imparts purity, minerality, and a unique fingerprint to the rum.

Production & Distillation

• Fermentation is carried out in historic open-air vats, with meticulous control over time and temperature. This process unlocks a complex spectrum of flavors, contributing to the rum’s hallmark smoothness and balance.

  
  

• Distillation utilizes a blend of traditional copper pot still and modern column still rums, marrying the deep, robust character of pot still distillate with the lighter, refined qualities of column still spirit. This dual approach yields a versatile rum profile prized for both cocktails and sipping neat.

Ageing, Blending & Expressions

• For Smatt’s Gold Rum, aging takes place in charred American white oak ex-bourbon barrels. This careful maturation imparts rich notes of vanilla, toasted oak, and a nuanced depth to the final spirit.

  
  

• The Smatt’s portfolio features two core expressions: Silver—a vibrant, unaged or lightly filtered rum ideal for mixing and sipping—and Gold, an oak-matured spirit with layered flavor and a rich, golden hue.

  
  

• An experienced master blender guides the blending process, often collaborating with renowned Jamaican rum professionals, to achieve a harmonious union of the two distillation styles. The goal is smoothness, depth, and an unmistakable Jamaican character in every bottle.

Flavor Profile & Positioning

• Silver is presented as clean, smooth, and light-bodied, with inviting notes of banana, coconut, vanilla, and caramel. Subtle estery and fruity undertones add complexity, making it equally suited to classic cocktails or sipping neat.

  
  

• Gold offers added layers of oak, vanilla, roasted coffee, and rich molasses, along with a fuller body imparted by aging in charred bourbon barrels. The result is a rum of notable depth and warming complexity.

  
  

• The overall positioning is “luxury boutique Jamaican rum”—high-quality, smooth, and steeped in heritage, with a brand story that celebrates both history and the scenic beauty of Jamaica’s cane fields, mountains, and mineral springs. Smatt’s is crafted for discerning drinkers seeking authenticity, elegance, and a taste of Jamaican adventure.