Distilled at Long Pond in 2009, tropically aged for 7,5 years in bourbon cask, before being transferred to France for an additional 1,5 year refining in Tokaj Wine cask.
Bottled in 2019 for The Whisky Exchange’s 20th anniversary.
The bottle number here has been obscured at the seller's request.
THE BRAND
Long Pond distillery, located northwest in the Jamaican parish of Trelawny and not far from Montego Bay, was built in 1753 in the middle of a large expanse of sugarcane.
Over the years the distillery has passed through various ownerships, either private or publics, until 1953, when it was acquired by the Seagram Ltd, owner of the Captain Morgan brand.
In the following decades and after the acquisition of the neighbouring estate, Vale Royal, Long Pond was renamed Trelawny Estate.
In the 1970s, Jamaican distilleries started shutting down one after the other and the Jamaican government began a process of nationalisation in order to save their activities. This led the Seagram Ltd to withdraw from the island and in 1977 also the Trelawany Estate was nationalised and included in the National Rum of Jamaica (NRJ) circuit, created by the government to save the distilleries.
In 1993 the continuous economic loss, brought the NRJ to look for some investors, deciding to calling on the Demerara Distillers Ltd in Guyana and the West Indies Rum Distiller in Barbados, this latter currently owned by Alexandre Gabriel from the French Maison Ferrand.
In 2012 Long Pond was closed by the group, mainly due to wastes treatment problems and to the dunder storage tanks that required huge capitals for repairing, focusing their attenction on the Clarendon distillery.
In July 2017, given the renewed interest in Jamaican rums in recent years, after a maintenance began after its closure and thanks to foreign capitals, Long Pond distillery has re-opened the doors, making its John Dore pot stills and Blair column still come back to life.
It almost disappeared in a fire in summer 2018, but the fate left unaffected its historical stills.
THE BOTTLER
Maison Ferrand is a key reference point in the world of Cognac and thanks to his experience and deep knowledge of Caribbean rums, launched the brand Plantation in 2003.
In 1989 AlexandrE Gabriel, today president and owner, started his career in the company, at that time one of the oldest and most respectable spirits brand in Cognac, but with a low sales volume.
His capacities and attention to detail, allowed him to create an extensive network of contacts still standing today.
The 90s were marked by his continuous travels to the Caribbean, looking for the best rums from different regions, until 2003, year of launch of the brand Plantation. In 2012, he was awarded Master Blender of the Year and Distiller of the Year.
AlexandrE Gabriel is also owner of the West Indies Rum Distillery (WIRD) in Barbados and got shares in National Rums Of Jamaica, owner of Clarendon and Long Pond distilleries, that gives him privileged access to their warehouse.
Please note: Due to the various ages of bottles and their seals, condition of liquid is at the buyer's discretion and no claim can be lodged against failure/leakage in transit. Please ensure that you undertake close up viewing/inspection prior to placing any bid. If you have questions beyond the offered description and images, please click 'Ask a question' to make a specific enquiry or to receive more in-depth condition report. Lots will be sold as seen and described.
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