Long Pond is a distillery that is much beloved by the rum community, but has been plagued but several start-stops in its recent history. Each time producing rum for a while before having to be closed for various reasons, the most recent of which was a fire that damaged the distillery and required extensive repairs. In August 2022, the distillery was finally reopened and back in business. It didn't just open though - it expanded.

That's well within expectations given how popular Jamaican rums have been as of late - with the funky banana/olive brine/engine oil combination being a real hit with the growing community of rum drinkers. 

Today, I have with me a new bottling of Long Pond from 2005, aged 16 Years Old, said to be of the Vale Royal Wedderburn (VRW) mark, that's bottled by Valinch & Mallet for Singaporean distributor and independent bottler M&E Drinks. We previously tried their Monymusk, Laphroaig and Royal Brackla. That we're still just as excited to try their latest bottling should say something about what we think of 'em. 

This also carries a painting done by a local artist, going by the moniker Arcaydia Studios, and is titled "Blue Island (2019)".

Something that I think might be a tad under-appreciated by drinkers is that each time a distillery goes lights out and comes back on, it never really is quite the same is it? Equipments are replaced, processes are changed - all of which, bears an influence on the final taste. Hence with Long Pond, considering this bottling I'm holding now is from the 2005 distillation, means that since the time of this distillation, the distillery has ceased operations at least twice that I'm aware of.

Perhaps I'm being a little bit of a sentimentalist but I do appreciate how this gives me a chance to go that much further back and try something that won't be recreated in exactly the same manner today.

Let's go!

Long Pond 2005, 16 Years Old, Bottled by Valinch & Mallet for M&E Drinks, 58.5% ABV

Tasting Note

Color: Copper 

Aroma: It starts off slightly gluey, with the waxy Jamaican acetone and varnish but it quickly opens into the classic banana funk, - flambed banana and banana concentrate with some whipping cream. There's a very light engine grease note as well. The aromas are super mellow but with alot of oomph - it's flavors are intense. There's no spikiness or harshness, which keeps it accessible. Ever so slight olive brine with a light touch black pepper. This is so quintessentially Jamaican - not an offnote in sight (or nose).

More airing unveils something quite delightful - it gives a deep honeyed woodiness (almost reminiscent of New Yarmouth), with a slightly medicinal herbaceous note that makes me think of traditional chinese medicine - perhaps ginseng. This was really wonderful.

Taste: Punchy, with that note of sauerkraut - savory and umami, slight salty even. And then more on banana concentrate and puree, just really intense and concentrated. Then there's green olives stuffed with pimento and green bananas. Finally a touch of richer, slightly herbal manuka honey and dill.

Finish: Long and a good warmth, more engine grease here and also olive brine - it's alot more dirty here on the finish.

My Thoughts

This was very classically Jamaican - the banana funk, the olive brine and the engine grease - it's all there with nothing else to distract you from all you need to taste of the quintessential Jamaican profile. It's also very mellow with no spikiness or off notes, so really doesn't bite here, and with a good heft on the palate and a nice long finish.

What really stood out to me here, was that upon some airing in between sips, I noticed that on the nose, it had completely evolved into a deep really gorgeous honeyed woodiness - a sort of combination of maltose candy and lacquered exotic wood. That depth of aroma and uplifting refinement was really special.

You actually are able to try it the local Singapore bar, The Single Cask, or if you're interested in picking up a bottle, you can find it here at M&E's website.

Kanpai!

@111hotpot