Habitation Velier Long Pond LMDW Singapore 15th Anniversary VRW 2006 15yr 59%

"Two VRWs side-by-side: V&M for M&E Singapore and HV for LMDW Singapore: On the nose both are quite balanced with vanilla, wood and tropical fruits. They truely need some time to breath to develop the classic VRW moellow honey and fruit nose. V&M comes with a bit more wood on the nose versus a bit lore punch and fruitiness on the HV. On the palate the pictures are similar. Smooth honey fruitiness with notes from the barrel (ie vanilla, woodieness and some chocolate). Again the V&M is a bit more in the dark side with the HV providing a bit more punch and intensity in the fruit notes. Both are extremly well balanced and round. Very enjoyably. Today the HV is a bit ahead for me."

"The tasting glass is completely unsuitable, so this is only a preliminary rating. Very nice, varied nose, a bit of everything: tropical fruit, barrel, spice. Alcohol tweaks a little. A super smooth mouthfeel on the palate, downright creamy! Again lots of tropical fruit and even more barrel and spice. Very balanced and hardly any alcoholic spiciness. The finish is then mainly barrel and spice and hardly any fruit, which is a shame. All in all, an excellent, heavy Jamaican!"

"A very deep, solid nose. Polished, nutty, tropical fruit. Beautifully melted, therefore difficult to grasp. The alcohol stings a little. Warm and powerful. Then full force in the mouth. Alcoholic burn, pepper, wood. The papillae beg for mercy 😜😜😜😜 Beautiful, long finish. Very woody and spicy, plenty of pepper fresh from the grinder and then an effect like Sechuan pepper. Yes, the finish is the best part. I'm really not a fan of this 🇯🇲 devil's stuff, but I really like this one."

"Significantly rarer than the NRJ Vale Royal 2006, but no major differences. Slightly drier and more mature, therefore less drinkable. Overall, a little smoke and hardly any fruit. More rough edges instead. I like the NRJ a touch better, but that's subjective on the day. Second tasting: Great rum!"

"Volatile esters and solvents on the nose at first. After some time in the glass, sweet/sour fruit notes and some vanilla appear. On the palate it spreads creamy, again this sweet/sour fruit note (bitter orange, papaya then ginger), then a change towards spices, some wood, metal and roasted. Very complex. The alcohol is very well integrated. The finish is dominated by bitter orange and dried apricot. I quite like the LP"

"Another very good VRW! The Marque simply knows how to please! From memory quite similar to the Velier 2006 / 12 yr... with plenty of glue on the nose, fermented fruit, polish, toffee. Allspice, tobacco, cappuccino, barrel on the palate."

"Very elegant, balanced and delicious! Dark chocolate, vanilla pulp, candied ginger, ripe mango & banana, some lime, plus leather and wood and a pinch of fresh mint!"

"A Long Pond as rare as it is delicious. The nose is very harmonious. There's a fine balance between fruit (pineapple, banana, mango, orange), pastry and sweet notes, spices and phenols (ester, glue, nail polish). The palate is lively and intense with exotic fruits (banana, pineapple, papaya, orange zest, kumquat), esters (nail polish and glue present despite this being only a VRW mark) and spices (ginger, vanilla), with a touch of wood and floral, mentholated freshness. Despite the astringency, the profile is fresh and balanced, complex and appealing, to the delight of the taste buds.the finish is long, warm, with spicy notes, accompanied by esters, leather, acid fruits (lime, bitter orange) and menthol. A very complete rum that demonstrates the depth and breadth of Long Pond's expertise."

"An der Nase Initial etwas Klebstoff und Lack. Dazu trop. Früchte, besonders Mango, getr. Früchte, Schokolade und etwas Holz. Am Gaumen dann überraschend floral und blumig, ohne genau definieren zu können was es ist. Dazu etwas tropische Früchte und Gewürze. Mir in Summe etwas zu blumig, aber dennoch sehr gut!"

"Personally, I like the character of the VRW from the NRJ range much better. The nose is great, but it pinches a little on the palate and I generally don't like it as much as the NRJ. But objectively speaking, it's still very good."

"Fantastic Long Pond that is great from nose to finish. Complex, powerful, well integrated. Happy to have brought a bottle from Singapore!"