Jamaican Rum 1977 (Whisky Agency)

You’re right, The Whisky Agency is now moving into rum!

I’ve been extremely impressed with a rum once, a Long Pond distilled in 1941. Long Pond, the birthplace of Captain Morgan, was a Jamaican distillery, so the one we’re trying today may be from the same family, although there are many more estates on the island, like Appleton, Hampden, Monymusk, Coruba…

Jamaican Rum 35 yo 1977
(52,9%, The Whisky Agency & The Nectar 2012, single barrel, 256 btl.)

Nose: there’s some sugar cane and corn syrup, overripe bananas (flambéed if you like) and elegant hints of cigar boxes. Coconut liqueur. Some dates and vanilla. There’s also a layer of garden herbs like dill and parsley, not sure if that’s caused by the age or the region. The old Long Pond had this as well, but in much bigger quantities.

Mouth: sweet and spicy, with a certain up-front oakiness that reminds me of American whiskies. The classic vanilla / coconut combo too. A little fruit cake. And then a late arrival of soft coffee notes and pecan pie.

Finish: long, with lots of warming spices and a raisiny sweetness.

A talented rum, easily drinkable yet with a kind of depth, complexity and oak influence that comes close to old Scotch whisky. Around € 160.