Side by side
Montenegro Amaro vs Smith & Cross
Montenegro Amaro
11 positive (92%) · 1 mixed (8%) · 0 negative (0%)
Trust + time weighted: +90%
Top excerpts
You can look into Montenegro, everybody speaks english so if you’re worried about a language barrier then it’s probably an ideal place, I don’t know about 2025 prices, but it’s significantly cheaper then most places in Europe.
Montenegro for sure. Most versatility in an amaro I’d say
I’d add in a classic amaro like Montenegro or Averna
Can you use Montenegro or Nonino for this?
I highly recommend Montenegro as well.
Smith & Cross
35 positive (85%) · 4 mixed (10%) · 2 negative (5%)
Trust + time weighted: +79%
AI summary — not a quote
Smith & Cross is a highly acclaimed Jamaican Navy Strength rum celebrated for its "funky" hogo character and high proof. It is widely considered a staple for tiki-style cocktails and is frequently used to add intensity and depth to rum blends.
Pros
- Distinctive 'funk' (hogo) profile that adds significant complexity to cocktails
- High proof (Navy strength) provides a strong backbone that stands up to mixers
- Excellent for blending with more approachable rums like Appleton Estate to create custom profiles
- Considered an essential ingredient for specific recipes like the Kingston Negroni and Mai Tai
Cons
- Can be polarizing; some users find the flavor profile 'rough' or unpalatable
- High intensity can easily dominate a drink if not carefully balanced
Top excerpts
If you want a bottle that will be useful in lots of tiki cocktails, Smith and Cross, or Planteray O.F.T.D. would be my first picks.
For Rum my go-to default these days is mostly Appleton 8 with a bit of Smith & Cross, if I have it.
I'm a big fan of Smith & Cross
I’ve been really loving Smith & Cross on the rocks as an end-of-night sipper
I usually go with Appleton or Mount Gay as a more basic rum and then I try to keep Smith and Cross to have as a funkier rum.