Features

Origin: Jamaica (blend of three local rums)
Type: Old agricultural rum
Distillery: Bottled by Velier (based on traditional Jamaican distillations)
Degree: 47%
Capacity: 70 cl (with case)
Aging: 5 years in oak barrels
Blend: Three Jamaican rums (including Grand Arôme) combined to balance power and finesse
Coloring: Natural, no added coloring
Filtration: Non-chill filtered

Tasting notes

Nose: Full and creamy, revealing aromas of vanilla and fresh lemon , accompanied by sweet cane sugars , fresh mint and crunchy nuts . Light aeration reveals sweet spices (ginger, cinnamon), exotic fruits (ripe banana) and heady floral notes (broom, mimosa), imparting a unique vitality.
Palate: Smooth and balanced, it echoes the vanilla and lemon notes of the nose. Infused flavors (rosemary, verbena) imbue the taste buds with a characteristic freshness, evolving towards exotic accents (pineapple, banana) and a subtle hint of licorice .
Finish: Long and fluffy, evoking refined desserts such as Tropezian cake and key lime tart . The finish lingers with fibrous notes of fresh cane and herbaceous nuances of coriander and chives .

Pairings and tasting moments

Ideal as an elegant aperitif , served neat or over a light ice cube to appreciate the complexity of the aromas. Pairs perfectly with a square of 70% dark chocolate to highlight the vanilla and licorice. As a refined digestif , accompany it with a lemon meringue cake or a banana fondant to prolong the fruity sweetness. For a sweet and savory pairing, offer roasted nuts or pan-fried foie gras on toast to balance the spicy and lemony notes. For a more daring moment, enjoy it with a shrimp ceviche enhanced with mint and ginger.

Product History

PAPALIN 5 Year Old Jamaica High Ester continues the tradition of excellence initiated in 2003 by Luca Gargano of Velier with the first Papalin blend. This 2022 vintage celebrates Jamaican heritage through the blending of three finely selected rums, including a Grand Arôme , all aged 5 years. In 2021, the Papalin collection was updated, inspired by the original vintage that blended Cuban, Venezuelan and Caroni rums. Today, the “High Ester” signature illustrates the aromatic power typical of Jamaican pot stills, refined and balanced by Velier’s expertise. Bottled at 47%, PAPALIN 5 Year Old offers a harmonious experience where the natural richness of the cane unfolds in an aromatic sequence of vanilla, lemon, spice and exotic notes. Offering exceptional value for money for a Velier bottling, it invites you to rediscover the art of Jamaican blending.

Testimonials from our customers

• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  “A perfect balance between strength and delicacy! The citrus and vanilla aromas are superb, and that hint of mint is very fresh.”
  — Claire L., Paris
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  “Papalin 5 Year Old High Ester is a revelation: it brings out the Jamaican power and finesse of the blend. Ideal for connoisseurs and novices alike.”
  — Marc T., Lyon

The brand

Velier is an Italian bottler founded in 1947, heir to the tradition of the great Genoese explorers. Initially specializing in wines, champagnes, and tea, Velier has established itself since 1983, under the leadership of Luca Gargano, as a key player in the world of spirits. Gargano, with extensive experience at Saint James in Martinique, propelled Velier by highlighting little-known distilleries, such as Demerara Distillers in Guyana and Caroni in Trinidad. The Papalin signature, launched in 2003, already represented the art of blending, combining Cuban, Venezuelan, and Caroni rums. Today, Velier pays homage to this heritage through contemporary Papalin vintages, such as this 5-year-old Jamaica High Ester, which celebrate the creativity and authenticity of exceptional rums.

About the distillery

The rums used in PAPALIN 5 Year Old Jamaica High Ester are sourced from three Jamaican distilleries renowned for their ester-rich pot stills, giving the rums unparalleled aromatic intensity. Jamaica is famous for its traditional-style distilleries (e.g., Worthy Park, Monymusk, Clarendon) that use double pot still distillation to extract floral, fruity, and spicy aromas. Pot stills, which are smaller than column stills, promote a higher concentration of esters (40–80 ppm), delivering explosive flavor profiles.

Each of the three components of the blend was aged in oak barrels for 5 years in Jamaican tropical warehouses, where the heat accelerates the interaction between the distillate and the wood, creating empyreumatic and vanilla notes. This blend, orchestrated by Luca Gargano and Velier, harmonizes the power of the esters with the woody roundness and spicy freshness, illustrating the excellence of Jamaican rum art and Velier's expertise.