Sailor Jerry

I feel that this rum is nothing extraordinary. In fact I would say that Sailor Jerry offers nothing in the way of standing out from the crowd when it comes to Spiced Rums for £20 and under. Neat it’s quite jarring with no real sweetness to counter balance the harsh after taste. As a long drink mixed with Coca-Cola this rum definitely improves, because it morphs into a much more pleasant sugary treat. There seems to be a lot of love for Sailor Jerry rums. But for me, if you are after an entry level rum to kick start your love affair with Spiced Rums, or you simply want a dulcet tasting rum for £20 or less, there are better options readily available at any good supermarket, Alfred Lamb’s Spiced Rum and Admiral’s Old J Spiced Vanilla to name but two.

28th October 2020

It's basic but definitely tasty and drinking it neat is more than serviceable

11th June 2020

Not my first pick but for the price it’s a bargain. Nicely balanced taste on the tongue with a pristine after taste. Can’t go wrong with this for that price.

5th June 2020

Nicest rum I have ever tried,I have tried many

19th May 2020

The Vanilla Coke of the rum world. Okay, bare with me on this metaphor, when Sailor Jerry was first launched the vanilla hit was incredible. A beautiful rum that paired well with most things. However, I feel like it has been changed much like Coca-Cola did with their Vanilla Coke. Yes taste changes with age but I could swear to it this used to be better.

Flavour notes: trace amounts of vanilla, burnt sugar, and true to its word pepper.

A fair bite on the after taste but pleasant enough. For the price it’s a good bet.

12th May 2020

Love Sailor Jerry’s although not as good as Old J I’d still buy a bottle being as it’s so cheap.
Toffee, nutmeg and vanilla.... beautiful.

20th March 2020

Good value tastes similar to kracken may buy again

23rd February 2020

Just opened the bottle. It smells like rubbing alcohol. It's my first time trying it. Blech! I'm being polite. How can people drink this stuff???

8th January 2020

A good spiced rum that actually tastes like rum. Very nice with ice and soda water. Subtle, balanced vanilla flavour - not too sweet like some other spiced rums.

27th September 2019

I understand the controversy around the recipe change because I loved the old and overly sweet original form, however we now have Admiral Vernon’s “Old J” to satisfy those needs (it’s great, to try it out)

I do however find this most recent rendition has a better well rounded feel to it’s spicing, and as it’s not as sweet I prefer to sip, rather than mix this one.

Alongside old Old J this is one of my top 3 spiced runs

19th June 2019

Not for me !!!

3rd June 2019

Years ago this was amazing, they have changed the ingredient ....

stick to OLD J now

20th December 2018

Love it just add ice much better than captain morgan spiced gold

25th October 2018

How do you serve customers when they come to the bar..neat or on the rocks or so on...

11th August 2018

Smell: warm sweet spice, very slight alcoholic smell. Quite nice
Neat: hardly any spice flavour!, very alcoholic taste, not very nice aftertaste
With coke: ok flavour, no real aftertaste, hardly no spice. Alcoholic.

23rd March 2018

Spice. Flavor. Strong. Let's face facts, if you're going to spend premium dollars on a bottle, you're not reaching for Morgan, or Jerry, or Cruzan, or anything else that your neighborhood liquor store is going to have sitting in the isles. You're going to go to that man behind the counter and ask for something special. That's all well and good, but that's also gonna be a Benjamin or two per bottle.

Jerry is good. It's perfect bang for buck. I recommend it with some Hansen's cola and some Mexican vanilla for a flavor treat. Don't be a snob unless you're willing to spend the money. Shut up and drink.

28th February 2018

It's just bitter and really really sour. Do i have a bad bottle or something? It's just horrendous. The aftertaste is horrible. No it's just a really bad finish. I say alcohols are all about the finish, this finish is the worst finish i've ever come across in an alcohol. It's just bad. I'm not sure why this is compared with Captain Morgan, Captain Morgan is MUCH better than this.

22nd January 2018

Really don't understand how this is considered one of the best spiced rums on the market. First time I tried it I hated it, but I had already drunk a couple of Krakens. After a while I gave it another go as it was the only spiced rum in the bar. My god it tastes aweful, there's a soapy taste that I can't ignore, like someone poured Morgans Spiced in an old Fairy bottle and branded it as Sailor Jerry. It's on my rum shelf, right at the top, right at the back and only ever comes down if i'm forced to give someone I don't like a spiced rum and coke. I have over 50 spiced rums in my collection and this is easily in the bottom two.

31st December 2017

My husband loves this run, we have traveled 80% of the world trying rums and while he did have some he liked but they do not import this one is his USA favorite. Gets really annoyed when they don't sell it in bars, and so many this Captain Morgan is the same. While its an ok substitute its not the Sailor....

5th September 2017

I had a bottle bought as a birthday present ,
I would never buy another.
I will stick to Woods rum.

22nd May 2017

Reasonable rum prefer it to ,Bacardi oakheart though not as good as Havana club.

17th April 2017

This is by far the worst spiced rum I have ever had the misfortune of passing my lips. This stuff tastes like it was distilled with old gym socks with the finish tasting burned. Also you can chill this stuff as much as you want. Seriously, get the bottle as cold as you can get it without freezing and it will still be body temperature in your mouth. As such, there's no mouth feel at all with this product and the only reason you swallow that mouthful is because you remembered that you took a sip. The only thing that this rum has going for it is the bottle it comes in. In my humble opinion, buy any other spiced rum or just regular rum and spare yourself the disappointment that is Sailor Jerry.

26th March 2017

We have just mixed Admiral old J and Sailor Jerry ...... equal amounts ..... called it JJs. Both camps say one is better than the other .... so give this ago.

16th December 2016

Basically its cheap Caribbean rum bogged down in added caramel, sugars, and artificial flavorings (to be fair most spiced rums are too). If the price point was more reasonable (where I live) I would have rated it higher, its basically Lamb's black sheep, or captain Morgans or Oakheart just more expensive. The older formula was definitely better. Excellent marketing ploy for price; however Jerry didn't drink, he gave that up after sailing, I'm sure he'd be annoyed they used his name for a spirit. Save yourself and get something like Vernon's Old J or any other spiced rum for the price.

23rd November 2016

I drink my jerry straight followed by a swig of cola. Love it dearly. The spice of the rum with the flavor of an ice cold cola finished with the legendary wooden barrel taste. One of my favorites.

20th November 2016

The Best rum

10th August 2016

Okay so this is the rum that I will drink if there is nothing else available. I prefer Kraken Black Rum or Pyrate but Sailor Jerry isn't bad. It tastes very nice when mixed with cola and the spice in the cola mixes well with the spice in Sailor's however I only really recommend this as a mixer. I do enjoy rum neat or on the rocks (especially Kraken) but Sailor Jerry tries a little to hard in my opinion. When drunk neat the spice in my opinion is really overbearing and I get a very strong alcohol taste almost like rubbing alcohol. It seems as though they tried to cover that alcohol taste with all the spice. After the spice has worn off you get a hint of wood and oak flavor to the rum. I sort of view this as a rum for people who usually drink whiskey because when I drink Sailor Jerry i'm sort of reminded of a whiskey with the oak flavor at the end. It's not a bad rum and in a pinch when my local watering hole doesn't have what I want this stuff works nicely. It's not bad at all but it's not a rum I would go out of my way to buy. All in all it's a decent rum to use as a mixer but not to sip on neat or on the rocks at least not for me.

29th April 2016

Spiced rum of all brands is rubbish. I have always drunk dark rum (oscuro) in many countries but spiced rum is definitely the worst. Worse even than alcopops. What lamebrain thought that they could improve on perfection like the best Carribean rums? I have NEVER taste a decent spiced rum. My name is Roger Roberts, 70 years old at rogerxroberts@hotmail.co.uk. My mom was a rum drinker too. Let's ban spiced rum.

24th April 2016

Great stuff! Sophie has tried the kraken, however, i have not, and i must. soon come.

28th September 2015

I have a spiced rum at least once a week at night. But I just love sailor Jerry's.
This has been the best spiced Rum I have ever found. Thanks so much, I'm having me a drink now.

6th March 2015

My son tried Sailor Jerry Spiced rum and thought it was right up my alley with the spices, so he told me to put it in my egg nog cocktail. I mixed it with egg nog and poured in some Sprite for a little fizz, and it was a delicious, refreshing drink. My husband tasted it and was having a fit! He loved it.

17th December 2014

everybody writes about some old Sailor Jerry recipe, didn't tried it, but i have tried this, it's very good, spicy and fruity, goes smooth when drank clean but it's very good for mixing (rum-cola etc.) extra i love bottle design it's very old school Don Nolan style...good price, take it on a weekend beach bbq trip with you! ;)

5th September 2014

I've been a sailor and a rum drinker my entire adult life, and having sailed for years in the Caribbean naturally developed a taste for rum, Barbancourt Five Star being the pinnacle - of course. However, I'd never tried Sailor Jerry, probably due to the fact I don't buy spiced rum.One experience with Captain Morgan's was enough... A friend just gave me a bottle of SJ, and it was better than I expected. Way better. With coconut water and a splash of bitters it went down nicely indeed, and changed my perspective on lower priced and spiced rums. I'm a new fan and would say to anyone; give it a go... you'll be pleasantly surprised.

1st September 2014

Really one of the best aromatises rhums out there! Really like it. Fun for mohitos.

18th July 2014

I had been adding a touch of vanilla to it lately without realizing they changed the recipe, assuming my taste had changed to favour it a bit more.

It's better that way. They should have left well enough alone.

24th June 2014

I discovered Sailor Jerry's Spiced Rum years ago in a Weatherspoons in Leeds (Whilst on a stag do) on national pirate day. I tried it and fell in love, it was beautiful... fast forward years later and what have they done - it has lost what made it special - I can't bring myself to drink this, closest thing I've found is Lambs Spiced Rum, so i'll stick with that until they come to their senses and change this back.

26th March 2014

Has always been my favorite rum. Rum Howler cites Cruzan's Single Barrel as their best rum, which I agree with. However, as far as affordable, great quality Rum goes, Sailor Jerry beats them all. Kraken, Captain, Admiral are obviously all horrible. Sailor Jerry Rum, and the history that you experience with every sip, whether mixed or straight makes you wish you were sipping it sitting on a beach, or more importantly sitting in a chair getting new ink.

9th March 2014

I like it👍

8th January 2014

Listen, the new recipe is fine and better than fine; not as overly sweetened, more subtle vanilla, and on the whole better balanced. A much more usable, less niche-y product. Try it.

31st December 2013

Ruined. Loved it years ago... Now, it's awful.

25th December 2013

They really do have a nerve. If you don't like the new recipe, buy a bottle anyway and add dark sugar and vanilla essence. NO! I will buy a spiced rum I like. Why they cant produce both and call them, say Sailor Jerry 1 and 2 or Red and blue ETC I don't Know ? Till then I will leave Sailor Jerry on the Shelf.

3rd December 2013

Ican't drink this anymore, it's rather nasty

15th October 2013

But it tastes the same for me. I prefer it with Diet Dr. Pepper Cherry/Vanilla, but it's acceptable with Dr. Pepper 10. Haven't had a problem. Same buzz, same taste, and same awesomeness.

19th August 2013

Ive always loved it, perhaps since i mix my drink I havent noticed it as much. But i have loved Sailor Jerrys for years, never knew the recipe changed.

9th June 2013

I drank the old recipe for years. It always reminded me of the holiday season with its spice. The new recipe was a jolt - very cherry. I won't be buying any more.

18th May 2013

If you like many don't enjoy the new recipe, try the Kraken, a stunning rum on its way up.

6th February 2013

Like the old recipe? Google "Admiral vernon Old J" as the name suggests it is made based on the original Sailor Jerries recipe and for roughly £20. Unsure whether or not it is available outside the UK but search around :) Enjoy!

19th December 2012

I have been trying different spiced rums for the past couple of weeks. This rum I bought tonight at 92 proof 46% alcohol by volume. It's spices are kind of mellow & not over powering. After mixing a total of 200 ml of this rum with iced tea and equal, the buzz crept up on me. I am satisfied, I am high and or buzzed. Now I kind of want to go to sleep. Give it a try, tell us what you think.

20th September 2012

ADMIRAL VERNONS OLD J SPICED IS THE ONE! FOR THOSE THAT ENJOYED THE OLD SAILOR JERRY'S RECIPE, YOU'LL HARDLY TASTE ANY DIFFERENCE!

5th September 2012

loved the old sailor jerry and tried lambs spiced but i am now hooked on ADMIRAL VERNONS OLD J SPICED this stuff is probably as good if not better than the old recipe

10th August 2012

I had been buying the 26 for the last couple of months because they were outta 40's now I buy a 40 and it tastes like sh**. Not a fan at all. You nee to change the recipe back. I hate it now. It has an orange under tone like grand marnier. GROSS. Kracken it will be if you don't change it back.

3rd August 2012

Bought first bottle of Lambs Spiced today,as an alternative to Sailor Jerry,Been trying to tell peeps for the last year that Sailor Jerry has changed,nobody will beleive me,must expose them to this site!!!.

22nd July 2012

They won't change it back. It was changed to streamline production and cut costs - easier to sell the US version to us (higher production run) than a more limited recipe as a UK only product. The current stuff is vile - no smell, virtually no taste and a horrid chemical after-taste. Wor Lass called it "spiced p***water". Even the new label is poor compared to the original.

Fortunately, Lamb's Spiced is a very close second to the original recipe but not easy to get hold of - buying online is the only easy way to get it. However, another alternative is Vernon's Old J, which IMO is just a shade nicer than the original recipe SJ. Again, buying online is the only way to get it.

17th July 2012

Disappointed Sailor Jerry fans should give Admiral Vernon's Old J a try....

13th July 2012

2 years now since they changed it and still no revert to the old recipe, or even selling both types which would obviously benefit their sales... but then perhaps thats because it'd prove how unpopular the new stuff is!? Why they can't bring it back I don't know? As far as I know it was a UK only recipe... imagine if they released it worldwide, they'd be rolling in it... but then never under estimate the stupidity of some people... I'll be trying other brands, will never buy this new stuff again! Did when it first changed, thinking it was just a new label (which also is crap compared to the old) and was horrified! Got another bottle for a birthday or Christmas and I still have them both like 2 years later... The old stuff wouldn't last 2 weeks!

20th June 2012

burn in hell new sailor jerrys...im on the dole and considering spending £100 on a bottle of the original Sailor Jerrys....what have u done to me!!!!!!!!

13th June 2012

The new recipe is nothing like the original rum - all of my friends have refused to buy it now, we have switched to other spiced rum - however there is now a new rum around called 'old j spiced' which tastes almost identical to the original recipe sailor jerrys! Every who loved the old stuff must must must try this!! Bring back original sailor jerrys and you will see us all instantly switch back to our good old faithful.

10th June 2012

If you could bottle the flavor of the floor of a tattoo parlor that has never been swept or mopped, all the dirt, sweat, blood, tears... Sailor Jerry would be it.

12th March 2012

Go buy some Kraken Rum (In Sainsburys now!). It isnt the cheapest at £21/bottle but it certainly shows how poor Sailor Jerry has become. I was a Sailor Jerry fan. No more. They ruined it!

22nd February 2012

Completely and absolutely gutted that they changed it. Quite new to rum drinking - a friend introduced me to Jerry's (old style) which I loved. Year or so later went on to treat myself to a bottle and it's the crappy new stuff. Gutted.

22nd February 2012

I like the new better the most rums.. But the old sound so Good. I think the limited edtion 100 year labels. needs old recipe in them.

1st February 2012

the "improved" sailor jerry will have gone past all expectations because its in all the shops/supermarkets,the old (much better) one could only be brought online from waitrose and one pub if you lived in the nottingham area..

14th January 2012

After drinking the old stuff by the bucket load I was disappointed with the newer apparently original recipe as it says on the bottle. Nasty. In fact it was that bad I gave 60 quid for a bottle of the good stuff of eBay a few months ago to reminisce. Christmas in a few days and thankfully today I found Lamb's Spiced in an off sales after months of looking everywhere after hearing everyone talking about it. Had never tasted it, but tonight I've had a couple of glasses and must say, it's good stuff. Not as good as the old SJ's, but better than everything else in shops. Thinking I'm converted. We'll see after these 2 bottles are gone

23rd December 2011

does anyone know if you can buy the sweet, vanilla sailor jerry on the internet?? that one was soo much nicer and I want it!

23rd December 2011

does anyone know if you can buy the sweet, vanilla sailor jerry on the internet?? that one was soo much nicer and I want it!

23rd December 2011

at this new recipe. it's horrible!! hate it!! you ruined my faviorate drink!

14th December 2011

at this new recipe. it's horrible!! hate it!! you ruined my faviorate drink!

14th December 2011

i came to jerry's late. fortunatly it was the vanilla lime version, it was lovely the nicest rum i've had, so when i finished the bottle and went to get another, the recipe had change and the new one was such a disappointment other spiced rums are exactly the same and even morgans is nicer! change it back befor you lose the gains you made with the good flavour.

26th November 2011

The original flavour was Vanilla & Lime; the old recipe. It's not hard at all to transform the newer recipe and replicate the flavour of the old with just a hint of vanilla extract, a good squeeze of lime and perhaps a little bit of sugar ;-)

11th November 2011

don't test market , don't explain, new sailor jerry,how to infuriate customers, then lose them : clever marketing or what!!!

10th October 2011

Like everyone else I hate the new recipe and was gutted when it changed but now have discovered lambs spiced which is definately the new old sailor jerry

:)

21st September 2011

the growth of the sailor jerry rum has gone beyond all expectations since changing so most of these comments must be in the minority

19th September 2011

It says something when I'd happily pay 100 pounds for an original recipe bottle than drink the new recipe as well as having 30000 fans on the petition page calling for the original drink to be released!

17th August 2011

Still in mourning for the old recipe....I have about 2 shots left in my last bottle :(
The only good news is that Lamb's Spiced IS pretty close in flavour to the old Sailor but I have only ever seen it behind a bar in Camden once. I believe some off licences sell it and maybe Waitrose though.

14th July 2011

Bring back the original!

26th January 2011

Bring back the original!

8th January 2011

Used to love drinking the old recipe, it really was a pleasure to drink and so unique. Why they changed the flavour I don't know and where they got their research from I dont know, but they have shot themselves in the foot, i'll be buying Lamb's from now on, NOT HAPPY.

3rd January 2011

Truly unbelievable that anybody associated with the manufacture and distribution of Sailor Jerry's could think that this 'new' recipe is some kind of improvement. It's not and more to the point, it tastes worse than its cheaper competitors - in my view to the point of being unpleasant. We were given a bottle of the new recipe for Christmas and its going down the plughole its that bad.

2nd January 2011

Yup... Loved the original, and now drinking Lambs spiced. I cant believe how utterly foolish the people at Sailor Jerrys are - I mean, if you change your product and NO ONE likes it... what IDIOT wouldnt change it back. For such bad business sense they deserve everything they are inevitably going to get, Ihope they have the grace to admit aforementioned foolishness and revert. Although I am not convinced I would return as a customer due to theit flagrant disregard for the customer and their opinion - they may as well be flicking the Vs at us. In fact, THEY ARE!!

29th December 2010

I'm not sure why they can't sell both. If I was on the Board of the Sailor Jerry parent company I would sack the marketing department for not doing this

27th December 2010

Its a pitty I cant spell pity...

14th December 2010

Its a pitty someone from Sailor Jerrys cant spill the beans as to why it has changed. they must be mad to change such a great tasting product

14th December 2010

Appalling departure from the orignal flavour. The new rum is disgusting and I'm staggered the company didn't do their market research before releasing it.

8th December 2010

I'd rather buy a better rum than correct this bad recipe. Put it right!

30th November 2010

Used to be a favourite of mine. Won't touch the stuff now.

30th November 2010

New recipe is a disaster, what was an excellent flavoursome spiced rum has been ruined. PLEASE PLEASE lets have the original version back. I'm off to Lamb's as I hear thats very good and I'm petitioning Sainsbury's to stop carrying SJ

11th November 2010

Up until recently you could still buy the old recipe online..can't seem to find it anywhere!! I'm certainly not wasting my money on the new recipe...it's horrible!!

2nd November 2010

When the original Sailor Jerry came out I was in heaven. Me and the missus got through a bottle a week between us - then they changed it and we don't like it! After month's of drinking Morgan's Spice as the (sadly) next-best alternative Lamb's have finally come out with Lamb's Spiced and it's gorgeous (and cheaper!) I hope it blows the new Sailor Jerry clean off the shelves. I'll switch back when the SJ recipe does and not before!

17th September 2010

lambs spiced will be going up hugely in popularity all thanks to the people at sailor jerry who really should have done there research better. people loved the old recipe of sailor jerrys me included they should have left it well alone.

9th August 2010

This new rum lacks flavor, balance and depth. It also lacks any enjoyment factor. As to adding sugar and vanilla doesn't wash as this 'new' drink is light on the lime. I have to agree this is a bad joke, sad days.

5th August 2010

I'm a barman and the flavour change have actually ruined the menu.
There was a bluebery daiquary with lime, vanilla gomme, funkin blueberry and the proper Sailor J. Ruined by the paler, chemical after tasting, cheaper to make bad rum. I was hoping it was a "Classic Coke" type publicity stunt. Haven't heard 1 good comment about it.

5th August 2010

yep them changing the recipe is just like telling a bad joke it leaves a nasty taste in your mouth

22nd July 2010

yep them changing the recipe is just like telling a bad joke it leaves a nasty taste in your mouth

22nd July 2010

i loved the old recipe so much i was even going to buy one from ebay for nearly £40 now what does that say about the new swill that they have the cheek to call improved ?

22nd July 2010

The new recipe is just bland, nothing much different from other spiced rums!! Why did they change it!? If you liked the original recipe then I recommend you try LAMBS SPICED which is as close to the flavour of old Sailor Jerry's as you can get.... The Sailor Jerry's website have said the change is due to public demand and opinions of people at festivals, and the old recipe will no longer be available... People at festivals will say ANYTHING if they think they'll get a free drink, so that research was not accurate... So people, perform MUTINY and jump ship to Lambs Spiced.

18th June 2010

why the change :-p

2nd June 2010

don't waste your time buying the new recipe ''we've listened to your feedback and tweeked the taste to suit our fellow spiced rum lovers'' absolute rubbish!! it was us who got you hear now listen good and revert to the old recipe for us real drinkers of sailor jerrys. idiots!!!

2nd June 2010

the new recipe is revolting. they have tottaly destroyed something beautiful. norman collins would be turning in his grave.

31st May 2010

Buy another spiced rum, the new recipie is not a patch on those

30th May 2010

new recipe is much like other spiced rum although morgans is now nicer,old recipe was unique and had a completely different taste to the new one.why oh why couldnt they leave it alone.i wont be buying the new one again.

24th May 2010

This new recipe is absolutely Vile, the sooner first drinks listen and change it back the better!!!

23rd May 2010

No-one I know who drank the old Sailor Jerry has anything good to say at all about the 'New Recipe'. Apparently more than one competing distillery have already had earnest talks at board level about back-engineering the flavour of the old recipe and launching it as a completely new product. What were William Grant thinking when they messed with this promising, emerging brand? Will make a great case study for this year's Marketing undergraduates on how NOT to do things.

17th May 2010

Older recipe was so much better! if only the people at sailor jerrys would listen to what people want instead of changing the recipe, which the majority of people i have spoken to prefer by far.

29th April 2010

you are referring to the old recipe I presume, the new one's vanilla taste is MUCH more subtle, and less sweet. Definitely prefer the old recipe.

28th April 2010

I was given this for Christmas and absolutely love it. A very strong vanilla scented rum. Very strong taste yet sweet when it rolls down the tongue. One which doesn't burn my throat surprisingly! Can be drunk straight or mixed with Coke, although I prefer it on its own personally.

7th January 2010