Long Pond Rumclub Private Selection Ed. 59 CRV 2004

Long Pond CRV was bottled by Spirit of Rum for the Rumclub Private Selection line, a single cask from the rare, low-ester CRV marque, distilled in 2004 and bottled at twenty-two years old. Long Pond in Trelawny is the historic Wedderburn house known for funk, but CRV is a deliberately restrained mark, so this drinks more like a focused, oak-driven aged rum than a high-ester bomb.

Distilled on the column still from molasses and matured in ex-bourbon oak, the low ester level and long ageing put wood and fruit in charge rather than solvent. The nose is vanilla, barrel, raisin and caramel; the palate carries caramel, tropical fruit, bourbon and chocolate, closing on coconut, roasted notes, tropical fruit and dried fruit. Bottled at a sturdy 63.3% with dosage unconfirmed, it reads dry and elegant, with the strength well handled. An unusual, refined Long Pond that fans of Appleton or Foursquare-style structure will find immediately approachable, best sipped slowly to unpack the oak.