Papalin Jamaica 5 Years Old High Ester Overproof Rum

Papalin Jamaica 5 Years Old High Ester Overproof Rum is best savored neat or with a single large ice cube to appreciate its complex flavors, though it also shines in bold tiki-style cocktails that can handle its robust character. This potent rum is perfect for sipping on warm summer evenings, ideally paired with spicy jerk chicken or rich, caramelized desserts that complement its intense tropical notes and high-ester profile.

Nose: Sharp and funky with intense overripe banana, pineapple rind, and medicinal iodine. Underlying notes of vanilla and cinnamon balance the pungent fruity esters. A hint of fresh mint and crushed walnuts adds complexity.

Palate: Oily and full-bodied. Immediate burst of tropical fruits - grilled pineapple and banana bread. Herbaceous flavors of rosemary and coriander emerge, followed by tangy lime zest and ginger heat. The high proof is evident but not overwhelming.

Finish: Long and warming. Spicy oak and leather notes linger, complemented by a subtle sweetness reminiscent of caramelized sugar. The funky Jamaican hogo character persists, leaving a lasting impression of overripe fruits and earthy spices.

Papalin Jamaica 5 Years Old High Ester Overproof Rum is a unique blend of three high-ester Jamaican rums from Worthy Park, Long Pond, and Hampden distilleries, each contributing distinct ester profiles ranging from 60 to 1,400 gr/hlPA. This collaborative effort between Velier and the distilleries showcases the art of tropical aging, with the rum maturing for 5 years in ex-bourbon casks in Jamaica's warm climate, resulting in a complex, full-flavored spirit bottled at a potent 57% ABV without any additives.

• Papalin Jamaica 5 Years Old is a "tropical dependent" rum, meaning it's aged entirely in Jamaica's hot, humid climate. This accelerates the aging process, allowing the rum to develop a complexity in just 5 years that might take 15-20 years in cooler European warehouses.
• This rum is a blend of three distinct Jamaican styles, including one with an astonishing ester content of 1,300-1,400 gr/hlPA. To put that in perspective, most rums have ester levels below 100 gr/hlPA, making this blend extraordinarily funky and flavorful.
• Papalin uses traditional Jamaican rum-making techniques like dunder and muck in its fermentation process. These are essentially "leftovers" from previous distillations that contain beneficial bacteria and acids, creating a more complex flavor profile reminiscent of how rum was made centuries ago.