The ImpEx Collection 2005 Long Pond 15-Year

This is a medium ester marque VRW (not their lowest ester marque; that would be ITP) from the legendary Long Pond distillery in Jamaica. This was distilled and and sent for aging prior to the fire which shut down the distillery from which they are just now reopening. This is a medium ester molasses based pot still rum that has been tropically aged on site in Jamaica for 15 years. I had not been quite as gung-ho about tracking this one down because the reviews had suggested it was more muted than its slightly younger, absolutely fantastic younger sibling. As it turns out it is almost every bit as great as the 13 Year, it is just different and needs a bit of water to open up.

Taking it in from the Glencairn, in some respects the nose reminds me a bit of Holmes Cay Belize 2005. On the nose I get a deep oakiness and spice. When I parse this out it reminds me of the concentrated mix at the bottom of a cup Salted Caramel Mocha coffee. Behind that is a distinct Marzipan note. Then comes the rich Blackberry Cobbler note that shines so gloriously on the ImpEx Long Pond 13 Year. Rounding out the nose I get Welch’s Grape Juice and a rich Pomegranate fragrance (foreshadowing the palate).

Taking a sip, this rum is far juicier than the nose would suggest - at least at its native 52.2% ABV. The first note I get is hard to describe and perhaps not everyone is going to get it. The first note is that of what Germans refer to as Neuwein, which in Baden is an early harvest unfiltered, unaged wine right off the first fermentation. It is sweet and tangy. That’s what the first note is here - like the sweet, tangy, unfiltered, raw first harvest red wine. Accompanying that I get Pomegranate and unsweetened, almost bitter Black Currant juice. Undiluted, this rum is very juicy in a Mediterranean way - odd for an aged Jamaican rum. With water this rum opens up in a huge way. With water I taste that Salted Caramel Mocha I got on the nose along with Dark Chocolate and a dose of earthiness.

The finish on the rum is lovely and unique. It starts with a rich, spicy Glühwein note (Glühwein is a spiced, mulled wine enjoyed in Germany at Christmas). I also get a very faint chlorine note before a rush of Blackberry cobbler and Marzipan.

At its bottled strength this rum is a bit muted and more closed off, which mirrors some of the “complaints” I have seen of it. But with water or an ice cube, this rum really opens up and becomes nuances and balanced. Indeed with an ice cube this rivals it’s 13 Year ITP sibling in my opinion. This rum was made to be sipped over an iceball.

It is definitely a very different style of funk than that coming from Hampden or Worthy Park. There is no banana or pineapple to be found here. Instead this is a dark berries and mocha combination funk. Fascinating when put together

For those saying this is not as rich or interesting as the ImpEx 13 Year ITP, I beg to differ. It just needs a little dilution and patience and it will blossom in your glass. And the longer you sip on it the better it gets. It waxes, wanes, and builds like a crescendo. I really, really like this rum. I am so glad I went in for a half bottle. Now I want a full back up.

Short Description: An incredibly balanced Blackberry Pomegranate Salted Caramel Mocha endorsed by Ze Frank

ABV: 52.2%

Country of Origin: Jamaica

Distillery: Long Pond

Nose: Salted Caramel Mocha, Marzipan, Toffee, Blackberry Cobbler, Grape Juice, Pomegranate syrup

Palate: Early Harvest Wine, Pomegranate, unsweetened Black Currant juice; with water Salted Caramel Mocha, Dark Chocolate, earthiness

Finish: Spiced Glühwein, faint chlorine, Blackberry cobbler, Marzipan