Jamaica 9 (2015) La Maison & Velier Flag Series

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.

Another series from LM&V showcasing rum from different parts of the world. I’m not too sure on how they differ from the Transcontinental Rum Line bottles, except the Flag Series seem to be older and single casks rather than vattings, with both tropical and continental aging. This Jamaica entry is a pot still molasses rum distilled on the “famous still located in the Lluidas Vale.” Reviewed from a sample. Rested about 15 minutes.

Distilleries: Worthy Park

Bottler: La Maison & Velier

Region/style: Jamaican pot still molasses rum

ABV: 60.4%. Cask strength. 

Age: 1 year in Jamaica, 8 years in Europe   

Cask type: Ex-bourbon

Color: 1.1 burnished. Natural color and free of additives

Price: Around $150

Nose: Bananas, overripe pineapple, papaya, and soft cheese that’s starting to go off a little. In short, we’re in Jamaica.       

Palate: Not so strongly funky, with a lovely vanilla custard flavor. Lime zest, pineapple, cinnamon, nutmeg. Nice spice to it. Still has that soft cheese thing going on. Reminds me of Delice de Bourgogne specifically. Which is one of my favorites, so that’s just fine with me.   

Finish: More vanilla custard, bananas, pineapple, and papaya. Brown sugar. Similar spices to the palate. More wood flavor in general. A little less of the cheese funk.      

Conclusion: Hell yeah. Love the vanilla custard and soft cheese flavors. I don’t typically care for banana flavor, but it works well here. Funk is at a very good level for me. Really, nothing to complain about, except I suppose the price/availability. Only found it one store for $150, which isn’t too bad.

Score: 86

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.

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