Transcontinental Rum Line Jamaica 5 (2016) La Maison & Velier

Review by: Raygun

A quick note before anything else for the sake of transparency. This review was done with an industry sample provided free of charge, with no expectations beyond drinking them. As always, I do my best to provide my unbiased opinion, and readers can decide how they want to take this review. For more information, see our Ethics & Transparency statement.

The Transcontinental Rum Line is a series of bottlings that, according to LM&V, aims to showcase the diversity of rum production around the world. The line consists of rums from seven countries and one blended rum from three countries. This is the Jamaica entry, featuring a pot still rum fermented from molasses. Aged four years in Jamaica and one additional year in Europe. Reviewed from a sample. Rested about 15 minutes.

Distillery: Worthy Park

Bottler: La Maison & Velier

Region/style: Jamaican single molasses rum

ABV: 57.18% 

Age: 5 years:4 in Jamaica, 1 in Europe. Distilled in 2016 and bottled in 2021.     

Cask type: Ex-bourbon

Color: 0.8 deep gold. Natural color and free of additives

Price: $85 is the best I’ve found

Nose: Much more interesting than the Panama I just tried. Eucalyptus, Jamaican funk, sunscreen, mushrooms.     

Palate: Rich but doesn’t drink hot. Caramel and hints of coffee. More eucalyptus. A savory and funky flavor like a soft cheese. Also a little like black truffles.   

Finish: Yeah, soft cheese is about right. Coffee and some chocolate. Lingers on the tongue. Sweet and savory like the palate.    

Conclusion: One of the better ones in the series in my opinion. I’m not so fond of Jamaican rums that verge into sweaty socks territory. This is a more pleasant kind of funk. And it must be said that the higher ABV helps bring more flavor. This is not weak at all. Might not be for everyone, but I like it.

Score: 81

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable.
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
  • 75-79: Decent rum 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.

Published by Raygun

Unknown's avatar

I drank Scotch occasionally (mostly at family gatherings) for years, but started getting more interested after an introduction and tasting from a Scottish acquaintance. That led to buying my first bottle (Highland Park 12). Now 600+ spirits later, Scotch is still my first love, but I drink other whisky and dabble in brandy as well.

Leave a comment