Papalin Jamaica 5 Year Old High Ester Overproof Vatted Rum (700ml)

"...stereotypical Jamaican wildness. Not as complex as Great House, but kicks the bejesus out of Hampden 8yo." - rumratings.com

Focussing on the Jamaica High Ester style, La Maison & Velier's new Papalin blend includes three Jamaican rums – Worthy Park (WPL mark, 60-120 gr/hlpa), Long Pond (STCE mark, 550-700 gr/hlpa) and Hampden (C<>H mark, 1,300-1,400 gr/hlpa), all pot still distilled, all of which were aged for a minimum of 5 years. Proportions are not provided, but these total up 63 barrels bottled at 57% with no additives. This rum has blown tasters away with its explosive, funky, tropical-fruit-heavy style; Yes, there are some notes of solvent and glue, but it doesn't veer into the overly industrial side. Grab it while you can. 57% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... Hey, it's about as subtle as as a car crash; punchy and wild, and to be honest, everything you'd expect of Jamaican high ester rocket fuel. And it is is good! Smell is super intense. Solvent and glue and sugar... Taste is intense! It's not as resolved as Hampden Great House, but hey, it's half the price! The difference is that this is darker, dirtier and less effervescent, but yet, it makes me smile; it's stereotypical Jamaican wildness. Not as complex as Great House, but kicks the bejesus out of Hampden 8yo, never mind anything out of Worthy Park. It's flavourful, and siper PUNCHY, and way better than anything else I can think of at this price. Overall: Pungent glue and volatiles, esters and sharp spice. This is Jamaican squared. Banana and pineapple and brown sugar and a touch of madness. - rumratings.com

...You won’t miss the “high ester” tag, which is explosive right at the outset. The nose of the rum is thick with overripe fruit, bubble gum, and cotton candy, just a few of the most iconic elements that define high-ester rum. From peaches to apricots to baked apples, there’s a full fruit salad here in the glass — and dripping in heavy syrup. The palate is plenty sweet and fruit-laden from the jump (not to mention hot on the tongue), but it settles into a groove in reasonably short order. Candied fruits, evoking fruitcake decor, are powerful on the tongue, though the rum finds more complex footing as notes of vanilla, milk chocolate, and some mint come quickly into focus. Still, this is “high ester” rum that never really shakes its notoriety, including plenty of bubble gum returning on the finish and a slick layer of white sugar syrup. Chewy peach rings linger on a lengthy fade-out.- drinkhacker.com