Whilst the first Papalin blend - made of a Cuban rum, a Venezuelan rum, and a dash of Caroni - made its first debut in 2003, the Velier proprietary blend series has continued on strong with numerous new blends over the years, each typically showcasing various country profiles, typically made from a combination of rums coming from the same country. Perhaps it's the only way you could have numerous producers coming together under one label to represent their country - I've always found it to be an understated and novel idea by Velier's chief Luca Gargano. The name "Papalin" comes from Gargano's daughter who called him "Papa" (for father) and to whom he would make a jingle that went along the lines of "Pa-pa-lin".

Luca Gargano.

Rather than the single rum expressions we have today, the Papalin blends calls back to a time when blends reigned supreme - today rums are more valuable standalone (from a single distiller) than in a blend, and hence who other than Velier would dare literally "reduce" the value of their rums, with amongst the best access to any producer's best stocks, to create a blend that would have to be priced more humbly than its components on its own. It is the definition of the sum of parts being greater than the whole. Yet as is with much of Velier's work, the objective has always been to first and foremost make a statement - and thus such country blends remain amongst the most accessible ways for one to be readily acquainted with the flavour profile of any particular country.

And so today we've got with us the latest double editions of Velier's Papalin blend - this time focused on the Jamaica High Ester style - both made with the same blend, one being bottled at 47% and the other at 57% ABV.

(Left to Right): Worthy Park, Long Pond and Hampden. Three distinct identities, one Jamaica.

The blend comprises of three Jamaican rums (and producers) - Worthy Park (WPL mark, 60-120 gr/hlpa), Long Pond (STCE mark, 550-700 gr/hlpa) and Hampden (C<>H mark, 1,300-1,400 gr/hlpa), all of which aged for 5 years and up, pot still distilled. These total up 63 barrels that make up the blend.

Let's go!

PS. We were able to give these recently released exciting expressions a go at the 2024 edition of Whisky Live Singapore, that's organised each year by La Maison du Whisky. It's the premier must-go festival for spirits lovers, and features some of the newest and most exciting bottles that are typically bottled for LMDW's latest annual collection.

Rum Review: Papalin Jamaica High Ester, 5 Year Old, 47% ABV

Tasting Notes 

Nose: Rich, estery aroma with an interesting touch of industrial solvent. Opens with fresh and fruity impressions, giving me wine gums and candied pineapple, followed by a light vegetal note with clean grassiness and a hint of mint. A slightly sharp lemon peel emerges, alongside faint solvent and feinty notes.  Soft banana and vanilla intertwine with a rustic, earthy touch of dried florals.

Palate: A captivating blend of tropical, herbaceous, and earthy notes, all carried by an oily texture. Opens with a robust pepperiness, followed by tangy singed citrus peel and sweet vanilla syrup. Deeper herbaceous notes develop on the back palate, with spicy rosemary, dried lavender and liquorice.

Finish: Long and warm. Dry oak provides structure, complemented by warm spice and a touch of agave syrup. There's an interesting lingering lactic sourness that kinda reminds me of yoghurt, alongside notes of dried coriander and basil.

My Thoughts

A beautifully mosaic of tropical fruits, herbs and spices with the robust, characteristic Jamaican funk, all while remaining grounded in very natural, well-balanced rustic and medicinal tones – reminds me of what it felt like to emerge from an aromatherapy massage! The complexity makes it a pretty satisfying sip on its own, though with its very earthy undertones this might pair wonderfully with a similarly earthy cigar.

Rum Review: Papalin Jamaica High Ester Overproof, 5 Year Old, 57% ABV

Tasting Notes 

Nose: A similar aromatic profile to its lower-proof sibling – fresh, estery and earthy. I find this significantly more zingy and robust. Molasses takes the lead, followed by elevated and rounded notes of tropical fruits like fresh langsat, overripe bananas, mangosteens and even a rounded sweetness of Koshu grapes. With a bit of airing, the medicinal and rubber notes intensify, along with a more pronounced fusel oil.

Palate: Echoes the tropical, herbaceous, and earthy profile, with a similarly oily texture, but with a much livelier profile. Leads with rich pepperiness and molasses syrup, roasted pineapple and herbal cough syrup notes. Allowed to breathe we get camphorous ointment and spearmint, cloves and nutmeg, culminating in earthy tones of burnt sage and anise.

Finish: Long, with lingering vanilla, mint, and herbaceous notes. A persisting warm sensation with this intriguing sweet barley note.

My Thoughts

A super captivating showcase of signature Jamaican rum funk but with a twist. The tropical fruit notes, earthy medicinality and empyreumatic touches are all there, yet it maintains an impressive herbaceous freshness throughout.  

It's remarkably memorable and distinctive for a 5-year-old rum, with a complexity that belies its age. This one does a respectable job highlighting Velier's masterful blending, where the whole becomes far greater than the sum of its parts.

@CharsiuCharlie