Hampden, the pot still high ester specialist, is finally marketing its aged rum under its own brand, after leaving it to independent bottlers.
This 8 year old, aged entirely in the tropics in the Hampden cellars, has been distilled in a copper pot still with double retort after a very long fermentation using natural yeasts.
Nico's tasting notes
The nose opens up to a huge fruit salad, drenched in a great ray of sunshine. The very ripe exotic fruits have not yet passed the fateful stage of fermentation, they are simply filled with sugar and develop sweet pastry aromas. Almond powder and amarena cherries, for example, are enhanced with a nut and pine thorn liqueur.
Aeration and time bring a very nice golden patina, which brings firmness and vivacity. This is what is needed to contain all this powerful and fragrant fruit. We can also distinguish a small veil of spices, with cinnamon and vanilla that take us back to the heart of pastry delicacies.
The palate is balanced, soft, but with enough strength not to get bored. It is very slightly coppery, and catches the taste buds with greedy notes of caramelised nuts. The fruit is darker than on the nose: blackcurrant, blueberry, then more melted and candied prunes. The rum is relatively light, and shows a fine creamy facet.
The finish is fine and pastry-like, between prune and almond.
"A sunny, bright nose of fruit, giving way to a finer palate..."
Compared to the old Hampden 46°, this rum from the OWH mark (the old one was a blend of OWH, LROK and DOK) offers a more approachable profile from the start. The fruit bouquet unfolds immediately, whereas the former, more complex rum needed more aeration. On the palate, this Hampden 8yo is relatively light (if you can call a Hampden "light"!) and less demanding than its predecessor. It is perfect to discover the unique style of this distillery.
Comparison between Hampden 46° and Hampden 60°.
The two versions of Hampden from these first official bottlings are very complementary. The 46% version shows all the talent of the distillery in the field of fruity and pastry aromas, with a generous and elegant taste that will delight the tasters.
The 60% Overproof version shows a less ample but equally concentrated facet. Like a resin that holds a world of aromas within it, it can be diluted and arranged in different ways without ever losing its character.
Paul Iverno
Really good
sailor BENOIST
Excellent Jamaican rum, rich in flavor, spicy in the mouth, endless finish, but still quite easy to drink, according to friends who are not fans of this kind of rum.
A superb entry into heavy rums.
Janek Vallee
super rum I love it
Thomas
Particular, to be aired! But tons of stuff in the mouth as you go along. We identify over the long term so nice and good length
Serge Pariggi
Being used to Martinique/Guadeloupe agriculture, Jamaicans do indeed smell of glue and varnish. It is important to know this, but in the mouth it is much less present. In any case, it is important to make your own experience. The discovery pack allows a first approach. Afterwards, I think I will be very careful in selecting Jamaicans according to my palate. But I will continue the Jamaican discovery.
nicolas
Interesting
Francis Medard
An explosion of exotic fruits, a lot of tonicity, great length in the mouth
A must
Didier Decart
Perfect in the genre,
Michael Sinot
Very strong rum but very good
Samuel Payet
To be discovered, a really special rum, very intense.
In the mouth: solvent (reminds me of Savana's HER range) then ripe banana. Very good length in the mouth
JOAN COMBET
A very good Jamaican rum at an excellent price
Guilhem Quinio
A rum with a price/quality ratio impossible to match, simply excellent
Patrick
A very good Jamaican rum
Benoit Moreau
Excellent rum! I really liked the typical Jamaican rum notes. A lot of very (too) ripe tropical fruits (Banana, among others, and also a little citrus), a nice spicy and honeyed touch. This little jewel is a very nice entry point for the neophyte who wants to discover the heavy rums of Jamaica.
Benoit Moreau
Excellent rum! I really liked the typical Jamaican rum notes. A lot of very (too) ripe tropical fruits (Banana, among others, and also a little citrus), a nice spicy and honeyed touch. This little jewel is a very nice entry point for the neophyte who wants to discover the heavy rums of Jamaica.
Mr. Olivier
Light in the mouth, good taste
Vincent WOLF
It is beautiful and good. An excellent product, very, very well made. An oily texture and never-ending aromas. You might think that this is a "light" rum for a Jamaican with its 46 proof but don't be fooled, it's got it in spades and you won't be disappointed. It is a match for navy strength.
Seb B
My favourite rum.
Jamaican with character, the right alcohol content (understand not 67°) with the Velier stamp, all for a reasonable price.
Unbeatable.
Aldebert Christopher
Two Hampden of 46- and 60- of great quality, which it is absolutely necessary to have, price gift in my opinion
Romain
an excellent introduction to Jamaican rums