Review by: The Auditor

Review #1205; Rum #519

This release is a bottling done as a collaboration between Velier and National Rums of Jamaica, the umbrella company for Clarendon and Long Pond. This is a molasses based rum that was distilled in a pot still in 2007 using dunder and muck at Long Pond to make a high ester rum that was aged for 11 years in Jamaica. This produced 11 barrels that were blended together and came out with an ester count between 1500-1700 gr/hlpa, the TECC mark, which is the highest mark they produce.

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Distillery: Long Pond

Bottler: Velier x National Rums of Jamaica

Region: Jamaica

Still: Pot still

Cask: Ex-Bourbon

ABV: 62.5%

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Nose: Touch of motor oil, lime juice that’s been left sitting out too long, grapefruit, a touch of salt, charred pineapple, over-ripe berries, black tea, smoked meats

Palate:   Thick oily mouthfeel, sweaty, spoiled lime juice, grapefruit, brine, charred pineapple, over-ripe berries, hot asphalt, black tea, smoked meats

Finish: Long finish, lime juice, grapefruit, brine, asphalt, charred pineapple, over-ripe berries, black tea, smoked meats

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Conclusion: This is a beast of rum. Its challenging in a good way, but it is a challenge. That very acidic lime juice / grapefruit note steers the entire thing as does the industrial and kind of “sweat” notes. At times it reminds me of the smell of a shirt post run but after it dries. A 12 year tropically aged high ester rum that is just strange and delicious. One ounce will last you forever and this is a really special rum. The only thing that prevents this from being a 10 for me, is that it is such a bruiser and is so challenging that I could not just crush this.

Final Score: 96

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
• 50-59: Save it for mixing.
• 0-49: Blech.