Distilia Long Pond The Sins Avarice by Robert Bauer 1983 40yr 51,6%

"Edit: now tasted again from the fresh bottle. Simply brilliant. Tasted with great calm and time. For me, it's one of the best I've ever had in a glass. If nothing better comes along in the near future, I'll give it another better rating. Tasted together with Chris2302 some time ago. Many thanks to the donor at the time who made this possible for both of us 😀 (a little tip: it was on the 2nd GAF, so it's not difficult to find the donor 😉 ) I thought the smell was bomb. After the first sip, we agreed that this is a drop that will easily break the 9! Anyone who has the opportunity to try it. Do not hesitate! Insane part!!! Drink of the gods!"

"After a few minutes in the glass, the nose presents a wonderfully balanced picture: contrary to the frequent association that Jamaica is synonymous with ester fireworks and acetone, I am met with a compote of perfectly ripe fruit - apricots, banana, honeydew melon, mango and the full aromatic sweetness of tropically ripe limes and pineapple come to mind, embedded in caramelized vanilla sugar and hints of oils from the citrus fruit peel. The picture is flanked by elegant woody notes, subtle spicy notes and, after a little time, even very subtle floral aromas. Multi-layered, exciting and yet carried by a carefree lightness. The aforementioned interplay of aromas continues on the palate, but is also given a solid foundation. While the nose was still fruity and playful, the palate shows its age and reveals that a gentleman in his prime awaits us here. The caramelized notes become heavier, the spicy aromas more present and, of course, the wood also demands more space. However, the sweet and fruity aromas remain constantly present, the entire aroma spectrum expands and offers both the fruity-sweet light-heartedness and the sustained gravitas of a distillate that has matured for a good four decades. It is remarkable that, given this almost biblical age for a rum, there is no need to talk about bitterness or alcoholic presence getting out of hand - the rum is enticing, almost playfully unselfconscious, but then immediately reappears elegant and dignified in the next moment. In the finish, I particularly like the recurring fruity notes that characterize the overall experience. For me, the rum always evokes associations with cognac during tasting - despite its great age, the slightly higher drinking strength offers a harmonious spectrum of pointed fruity sweetness and the elegant presence of the cask. An outstanding distillate, matured to perfection. For me, it already belongs to the Olympus of Jamaican rums."

"This is honestly an excellent bottling. Rich and complex with a very nice depth to it. Compared to other bottlings of the vintage I had so far, this bottling does not feel watery but delivers significant power and richness. Very much on the top of my LP list."

"An unbelievable grenade... Fruity, complex and lengthy - these are probably the key characteristics. Wonderfully full-bodied and harmonious as the aromas unfold in the glass. In May Tai a reference as far as Long Pond is concerned, actually even as far as Jamaica rum in general is concerned. I am really enthusiastic."

"All I can say is: Hands off! 😜 Dangerous stuff! Dangerously drinkable. Alcohol never noticeable. Fruity on the nose like straight juice, with an elegant tingle on the palate. Congratulations, Rob and Distilia! This rum really has everything you could wish for in a rum. That there are still bottlings like this nowadays ..."

"In direct comparison to the Distilia Charles Vane sister barrel: Quite similar on the nose and yet strongly reminiscent of the Hampden distillery. However, the cask selected by Robert Bauer is even more expressive. Compared to the Vane, it is even more elegant on the palate with perfectly integrated alcohol. Despite the long cask maturation, the wood does not come across as dominant, but elegantly underlines the incredible fruitiness of the Long Ponds. Wow, this rum is so much fun! Eternal finish... Wow, absolute Jamaican Champions League. Overall, I give it one point more than its excellent sister cask."

"Jamaica is no longer necessarily at the top of the popularity scale for either of us, but these perfectly aged Jamaicans are always in a class of their own. Especially when the balance of fruit and wood is so harmonious and complex in the glass. Unfortunately, the bottle is not in my price range, but for those who can and want to afford it, this rum is highly recommended."

"Thank you Rob for this cool opportunity! It’s a very balanced LP with a very lovely low ester note. The barrel and also the alcohol are perfectly integrated. I enjoyed this one a lot! Unfortunately, the (high) price tag didn’t convinced me to buy a bottle."

"I was able to taste this at Whiskyfair Limburg with Robert. Right from the start, the Nose finds all the right places. It is a perfect integration of brown butter, yellow fruits, mid level esters and some sour blueberries. On the initial palate there is again the beloved browned butter, the esters are present, but never overwhelming, than we get to a sweetness you get from very good shortbread. The esters linger and are met by a whiff of tannines from a very dry cask, that dont really get all that bitter. The finish is incredibly long and focuses on the sweetness that developed later. Ester is again all along the journey and a hint of that dry casks wants to remain as well. It almost gets a little malty at the end, but that is after a long lingering aftertaste that slowly fades in a lovely memory of what you just sipped. This is a superior choice by Robert and i seriously love these buttery/buteric acid LP. Well done, my wallet hates you a little bit!"

"I've been looking forward to tasting this sample for a while! The color is a little pale for its age. Nose: quite reserved from a distance and initially closed up close. Long pond umami and citrus fruits are immediately present. Little wood and roasted notes for its age. After 30 minutes in the glass, the fruitiness and the sweetness associated with it seem to increase (summer honey, floral). I find the intensity very pleasant and not overpowering. On the palate, I again experience the wonderful process of the rum "taking a swing" for one or two seconds and then throwing itself at the taste buds with full force - wonderful! I was a little shocked at first, because the rum seems really thin at first, but then a constantly changing aromatic backdrop builds up - incredible! On the palate you can really sense the age with intense barrel and roasted notes. However, the fruitiness is not lost. The finish is eternally long and very harmonious with the flavor experience and goes into the fruity-dry with a lot of barrel flow. "

"First nose of glue and solvents. Opens up to exotic fruits, papaya? Wood with a patina quietly shows its nose without forcing it; with an impression of milk chocolate, walnut, hazelnut. The alcohol is imperceptible, balanced and elegant. Surprisingly, melon, peach and lime are also present after a while, with herbaceous and medicinal notes taking over after 15 minutes of aeration. Round and oily on the palate, exotic, candied fruits are ultra-present, roasted, sticky. Beautiful butter, hazelnuts and spices. Once again, the alcohol is imperceptible, and all that's left is the pleasure of tasting. A little twist on the finish, where a slightly more woody, full-bodied aspect joins the fruit, all in balance, but to remind us a little of the venerable age of this juice."

"9,2:On the nose, there are a lot of esters at first, with overripe buttery tropical and yellow fruits, citrus. So, some pineapple, banana, guava. Strange, for a second, a note of Maggi appears, quickly gone then. Roasted wood, burnt sugar come out after.They bring vegetal notes as grass, honeyed molasses, vanilla and pastries after airing the rum. The wood surely is dry due to long ageing in bourbon casks. The fruits become dried and the rum acidic, like we scent some vinegar.... All balanced and round. 8,8:On the palate, the attack is fruity with esters, overripe tropical fruits, citrus, spicy, dried fruits and the wood is roasted and intensively dry. There are some pineapple, dried fruits, prunes, pastry. It becomes acidic/bitter with tannins and for short, salty. Fortunatelly, molasses does its job, neutralizing tannins with herbal, flowery notes and honey, perhaps some umami. With some rest, it certainly becomes musty, mineral. After a while, we could again find some more acidity with rhubarb, perhaps vinegar notes. This unpleasant acidity downgrades the tasting marks a bit... 9,1:The finish is woody, dry, balanced with ripe tropical, yellow and dried fruits, a bit spicy, musty and sweet with honeyed biscuits."

"Amazing Long Pond! On the nose, I would have guessed Hampden. On the palate then more Long Pond with a good amount of wood and a nice complexity. Reminds me a bit of the Long Pond 1941 with less herbs. Great!"

"Very beautiful golden color. Initially varnish and solvent. After a short wait, a very deep and complex nose. Fruits (pineapple, mirabelle plum), fine spice, earth and tobacco. The esters I dread are held back (plus point 😀). Very oily in the mouth, rarely (or never) tasted such good plastic. 😂 The Jamaican devil's stuff isn't really my thing, so this rum doesn't quite suit my taste either. But still, chapeau! Benchmark in terms of maturity, depth, complexity and still drinkability. Benchmark also in terms of branding and design. Very well done 😀😀 The music to go with it: Lennie Hibbert "Real Hot". And now I'm eagerly awaiting the Agricole from this series."