The National Rums of Jamaica is introducing a ‘very superior old pale’ (VSOP) brew of its Long Pond brand to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). 

The exclusive rum blend was presented to Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith by National Rums of Jamaica senior blender Robert Gordon.

Johnson Smith expressed her appreciation for the commemorative rum, saying, “We are very excited to receive this contribution by NRJ to the 50th anniversary of CARICOM. We are proud of the product. It is beautifully bottled, and the colour is impressive and inviting. We know that the Jamaican brand will shine bright. NRJ has demonstrated true patriotism. I know they are a company with a long and rich history in Jamaica and a strong trade background which this ministry finds great strength and support in.”

The Long Pond VSOP incorporates marks from three distinct distilleries and was distilled using the iconic John Dore Pot Still. Bottled at 48.5 ABV, the blend features enticing notes of orange peel, vanilla, raisins, toasted oak, and Caribbean spices capturing the essence of island life.

Minister Johnson Smith added, “We are pleased to receive this contribution to the celebration of CARICOM’s 50th anniversary, proud of the product that we will be contributing to the celebration across the various rum-producing companies, and very excited to experience the flavour that’s being put forward and of course feeling our usual competitive spirit recognising how it will match up against the other brands.”

Gordon’s creation is not just a rum; it is a tribute to the storied history of the Long Pond Distillery, which dates back to 1753. The Long Pond VSOP, the first blend created by Robert Gordon using solely Long Pond marks, stands as a fitting celebration of CARICOM’s 50th anniversary, symbolising the unity and shared heritage of the Caribbean.

The Long Pond VSOP, a blend with a light golden-brown hue delivers a mix of spicy notes, ginger, mint, citrus, chocolate, vanilla, burnt sugar, and oak, culminating in a long, spicy finish. This blend, created using traditional rum blending methods, maintains the rum’s authenticity and quality as a sipping rum that can also be used for cocktails.

The Long Pond VSOP not only promotes the Long Pond brand but also underscores the National Rums of Jamaica as a key player in the rum industry. 

The West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers Association (WIRSPA), which represents all rum-producing organisations in the Caribbean, engaged its members to create special blends for this commemorative event.

At the upcoming CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, all heads will receive bottles from their respective countries to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).