La Maison & Velier revived the old Papalin blended rum brand in 2013, and now LM&V is out with a follow up to its most recent release, a 2022 bottling of 7 year old juice. This release is a collaboration among three distilleries, all high ester production from different distilleries in Jamaica.

This release of Papalin Jamaica High Ester is a blend of 63 ex-bourbon casks total, each crafted on a pot still and aged for 5 years onsite at their respective distilleries. It is composed of:

Worthy Park WPL (60-119 esters gr/hlPA)
Long Pond STCE (550-700 esters gr/hlPA)
Hampden Estate C<>H (1,300-1,400 esters gr/hlPA)

Proportions are not provided, but it is bottled at 57% with no additives.

We got a small sample to try, so let’s dig in.

Papalin Jamaica High Ester Rum 5 Years Old Review

You won’t miss the “high ester” tag, which is explosive right at the outset. The nose of the rum is thick with overripe fruit, bubble gum, and cotton candy, just a few of the most iconic elements that define high-ester rum. From peaches to apricots to baked apples, there’s a full fruit salad here in the glass — and dripping in heavy syrup.

The palate is plenty sweet and fruit-laden from the jump (not to mention hot on the tongue), but it settles into a groove in reasonably short order. Candied fruits, evoking fruitcake decor, are powerful on the tongue, though the rum finds more complex footing as notes of vanilla, milk chocolate, and some mint come quickly into focus. Still, this is “high ester” rum that never really shakes its notoriety, including plenty of bubble gum returning on the finish and a slick layer of white sugar syrup. Chewy peach rings linger on a lengthy fade-out.

114 proof.

A- / $65 / lamaisonandvelier.com

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