The learning never stops. For several years I’ve endeavored to understand the flavor science and history behind Jamaican rum’s unique hogo. As part of that I’ve visited every Jamaican rum distillery, save one, and documented what I learned. One such article I wrote was perhaps the first to clearly define what dunder is, and differentiate... Continue Reading →
Jamaica’s Long Pond Rum Distillery Damaged by Fire
According to the Jamaica Observer, Jamaica's Long Pond rum distillery has been severely hobbled by a fire. The historic distillery, known for its classic pot stilled Jamaican rums adjoins a sugar cane factory and cane fields. Reports are that a fire in the cane field spread to bagasse (dried cane plant mass) and eventually to... Continue Reading →
The Case of the Missing Marque – The Barrel Did It
During my recent visit to Maison Ferrand (home of Cognac Ferrand and Plantation Rum) I posted a picture on Facebook that seemed innocuous enough. The caption read: “If you’re going to drink a cask-strength, 18 year Long Pond marque, the ITP (280 g/hL AA) is highly recommend. Even Mrs. Wonk loved it.” A few minutes... Continue Reading →
Long Pond Returns! Jamaica’s Historic Rum Distillery Resumes Operation
As a confirmed Jamaican rum “dunderhead,” I obsessively track every snippet of news regarding the island’s rum industry. So it was with great joy that I learned about a year ago that the Long Pond Distillery was gearing up to resume operations after a several year hiatus. Residing in the Trelawny region of Jamaica, Long... Continue Reading →
An exclusive visit to Jamaica’s historic Long Pond Rum Distillery
In early 2016, I toured a number of Jamaican rum distilleries as part of a tour organized by WIRSPA and their Authentic Caribbean Rum (ACR) program. What follows is my take on one of the distilleries we visited--in this case, Long Pond. Ruel, our intrepid bus driver, has been through a lot. On a normal... Continue Reading →
Suitcase Rum: 2002 Vale Royal Wedderburn (Jamaica)
“Suitcase” posts here on CocktailWonk.com cover spirits that aren't readily available in the United States, and possibly other locales – they’re spirits I've found while traveling and brought home in my suitcase and warrant an in-depth look. The Vale Royal Wedderburn 2002 is a Jamaican rum, distilled at the Long Pond distillery in 2002 and... Continue Reading →