Long Pond distillery

Introduction to Long Pond

A distillery with passion for craft

Long Pond is a legendary Jamaican rum distillery that stands as one of the most revered producers in the Caribbean. Located in the lush Trelawny Parish of Jamaica, this historic establishment has become synonymous with bold, characterful rums that showcase the island’s distinctive distilling traditions. Long Pond combines centuries-old techniques with an unwavering commitment to quality that has made it a cornerstone of authentic Jamaican rum production.

Why we have a soft spot for Long Pond

At Vault of Spirits, we treasure distilleries that create truly authentic expressions with a strong sense of place and heritage. Long Pond distinguishes itself through its commitment to traditional pot still distillation and long fermentation periods that develop extraordinarily complex esters and flavor compounds. The resulting rums offer some of the highest ester counts in Jamaica, delivering an intensity and funk that rum connoisseurs actively seek out.

The History Behind Long Pond

Origins and development

Long Pond Distillery traces its origins back to 1753, making it one of Jamaica’s oldest rum producers with over 250 years of distilling experience. The distillery was established during the height of Jamaica’s sugar industry and has witnessed the entire evolution of rum production on the island. Throughout the centuries, Long Pond has persevered through changing ownership, industry consolidations, and even periods of closure, always returning to its mission of producing quintessential Jamaican rum.

After various ownership changes through the years, including a period under the National Rums of Jamaica umbrella, the distillery has maintained its commitment to traditional production methods while adapting to modern market demands.

The people behind

The current operation at Long Pond is managed by a team of dedicated rum specialists who have inherited generations of distilling knowledge. These master distillers and fermentation experts work diligently to preserve the distinctive Long Pond marques (production recipes) that give each expression its unique character. Their expertise ensures that every batch maintains the signature flavor profile that rum enthusiasts have come to expect from this historic producer.

The Craft and Production

From raw material to finished product

Long Pond’s rum production begins with locally sourced molasses from Jamaican sugar production. What truly sets Long Pond apart is its extraordinary fermentation process, which can extend from one to three weeks – far longer than most rum producers worldwide. This extended fermentation, often using wild yeasts and dunder (residue from previous distillations), develops the complex flavor compounds and high ester counts that give Long Pond rums their distinctive profile.

Distillation takes place in traditional copper pot stills, some of which have been in operation for decades. Different configurations of stills and condensers allow the distillery to produce various marques with different ester levels and flavor profiles, ranging from moderately estery to the famously intense “high-ether” rums.

Aging and maturation

The tropical climate of Jamaica accelerates the maturation process, with rums extracting flavors from oak barrels much faster than spirits aged in cooler climates. Long Pond typically ages its rum in ex-bourbon American oak casks, though some special releases feature time in various wine or sherry casks for additional complexity.

The hot, humid conditions mean that the angel’s share (evaporation during aging) is significantly higher than in Scotland or other cooler regions, sometimes reaching 6-10% per year. This intensifies the concentration of flavors in the remaining liquid, resulting in particularly rich and robust rums even at relatively young ages.

Selected Products from Long Pond

Long Pond TECA – An introduction to the house style

TECA is one of Long Pond’s celebrated marques, offering an excellent entry point to understand the distillery’s distinctive character. With notes of tropical fruits, banana bread, overripe pineapple, and a distinctive funkiness often described as “hogo,” this expression perfectly captures the essence of traditional Jamaican rum.

Its robust mouthfeel and layered complexity make it a favorite among both newcomers to the category and experienced rum aficionados looking for authentic Jamaican character.

Long Pond ITP – An experience for connoisseurs

The ITP (Intermediate TECC Product) marque represents a more intense expression from the distillery, often bottled at higher proof and featuring elevated ester counts. Expect a powerful sensory experience with concentrated notes of tropical fruit, spiced oak, funky vegetal tones, and an almost industrial complexity that makes these bottlings highly sought after by collectors.

The oily texture and extraordinary length of finish make ITP releases a true deep dive into the possibilities of traditional Jamaican distillation.

Visit the Distillery

Tours and tastings

Long Pond occasionally offers guided tours for rum enthusiasts looking to experience the authentic heart of Jamaican rum production. These tours provide rare insight into traditional fermentation techniques, pot still distillation, and the tropical aging process that defines Jamaican rum.

Tastings typically include several marques that demonstrate the range of styles produced at the facility, from the more accessible expressions to the intensely funky high-ester bottlings that have made Long Pond famous among connoisseurs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Long Pond?

Long Pond is a historic Jamaican rum distillery established in 1753 that produces traditional, high-ester rums using time-honored production methods. Their approach combines extended fermentation periods with pot still distillation to create some of Jamaica’s most characterful and complex rums, highly prized by enthusiasts for their distinctive “funky” flavor profiles.

Where is Long Pond located?

The distillery is located in Trelawny Parish, Jamaica, surrounded by sugarcane fields and nestled within the lush landscape that has supported rum production for centuries. This tropical environment plays a crucial role in both the fermentation process and the accelerated aging that gives Jamaican rum its distinctive character.

What characterizes Long Pond?

Long Pond is especially known for its high-ester rums produced using extended fermentation periods and traditional pot still distillation. Each marque (production recipe) creates a specific ester range and flavor profile, from the moderately funky to the intensely aromatic. The distillery’s dedication to traditional “dirty” fermentation techniques using dunder pits and muck holes produces flavor compounds impossible to replicate in more modern facilities.

Where can I buy rum from Long Pond?

You can find selected bottles from Long Pond at Vault of Spirits. We carefully curate the best expressions—both standard releases and limited single cask bottlings—ensuring you have access to these extraordinary Jamaican rums. While the distillery’s output is sometimes hard to find as pure Long Pond releases, we pride ourselves on sourcing authentic expressions that showcase the true character of this legendary producer.