(Image Source: Plantation Rum)

It's boom time to say the least for high-ester rums, as rum continues to gain popularity globally. Yet some rums have certainly enjoyed the ride much more than others - a big source of which comes from Jamaica. Jamaican rums feature a high-ester style - known for strong flavors of overripe tropical fruits such as pineapples and bananas. This is created as a result of a preferred local production style that involves the use of dunder, leftovers from previously rounds of distillation that kicks fermentation into overdrive, creating high amounts of esters, which are responsible for the fruity flavors. 

While not all rums from Jamaica follow such a style, some of whom that have gained popularity as a result of being "ester-bombs" includes Hampden, Long Pond, Clarendon (also known as Monymusk) and Worthy Park.

Long Pond has up till now only ever bottled one official distillery release, a Long Pond ITP 15 Year Old. ITP being "Ive Trelawny Pot", one of Long Pond's hallmark marks of rums it produces. (Image Source: Long Pond)

Yet, unfortunately, Long Pond which remained defunct for a number of years until it came to be acquired under Maison Ferrand (owner of Plantation Rum), has sought to finally restart operations in 2017, yet little over a year later, a sizeable fire broke out in 2018, forcing the distillery to cease operations yet again.

Although now it seems the distillery is ready to get back on track, with positive momentum from Maison Ferrand partially behind the wheel (Maison Ferrand's part ownership of Long Pond was as a result of its purchase of West Indies Rum, which in turned owned the consortium National Rums of Jamaica of which Long Pond belongs under). 

Unveiling the commemorative Long Pond VRW 2013. (Image Source: Jamaica Loopnews)

The re-reopening ceremony was held in August 2022, with a ceremonial bottling of Long Pond unveiled as well - a Long Pond VRW 2013 (VRW being the "Vale Royal Wedderburn" mark), only the second bottling by the distillery itself.

With the distillery back under full production, the distillery assures that a core aspect of the reconstruction works prioritised the preservation of the distillery's heritage, utilising the same oak vats that the distillery has used for centuries rather than opting for a more modern stainless steel design. The distillery will also be looking to expand production capacity by 20%, which will in turn create more local employment opportunities.

Luca Gargano and Thierry Benitah of La Maison & Velier at the opening ceremony of Hampden's new warehouses. (Image Source: Jamaica Loopnews)

Long Pond's reopening and expansion comes on the back of its neighbouring Hampden's own expansion - $240 million investment into two warehouses that will increase storage capacity from 2,700 barrels to 10,000 barrels, as well as a new bottling plant that will allow for onsite bottling. This is said to enable an increase in distributor La Maison & Velier's ability to distribute Hampden's rums to the existing 27 markets it currently has a presence in.

Kanpai!

@111hotpot