Hampden, the pot still-distilled high ester specialist, is finally marketing its aged rum under its own brand, after leaving it to independent bottlers.
This 8yo, aged entirely in the tropics in the Hampden cellars, was distilled in a copper pot still with double retort after a very long fermentation using natural yeasts.
Nico's tasting notes
The nose opens with a gigantic fruit salad, drenched in sunshine. The very ripe exotic fruits have not yet passed the fateful stage of fermentation; they are simply gorged with sugar and develop sweet pastry aromas. These include almond powder and amarena cherry, spiced up with walnut liqueur and pine thorns.
Aeration and time bring a lovely golden patina, which adds firmness and liveliness. That's what's needed to contain all this powerful, fragrant fruit. There's also a hint of spice, with cinnamon and vanilla taking us right back to pastry indulgence.
The palate is well-balanced, soft, but with enough strength not to get bored. It is very slightly coppery, and hooks the taste buds with greedy notes of caramelized nuts. The fruit is darker than on the nose, with blackcurrant, blueberry and more mellow, candied prunes. The rum is relatively light, with a delicate creaminess.
The finish is fine and pastry-like, hovering between prunes and almonds.
"A sunny nose bursting with fruit, giving way to a finer palate..."
Compared with the Hampden 46° old format, this rum from the OWH mark (the old one was a blend of OWH, LROK and DOK) offers a more approachable profile from the outset. The fruit bouquet unfolds immediately, whereas the former, more complex, needed more aeration. On the palate, this 8-year-old Hampden is relatively light (if you can call a Hampden "light"!) and less demanding than its predecessor. Perfect for discovering this distillery's unique style.
Comparison between Hampden 46° and Hampden 60°.
The two versions of Hampden from these first official bottlings complement each other perfectly. The 46% version showcases the distillery's talent for fruity and pastry aromas, with a gourmet yet elegant generosity that will delight tasters.
The 60% Overproof version is less full-bodied but just as concentrated. 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.
meazza67
Very good rum
Paul Iverno
Really good
sailor BENOIST
Excellent Jamaican rum, rich in flavor, pungent on the palate, with an interminable finish, but still quite easy to drink, according to friends who are not fans of this kind of rum.
A superb introduction to heavy rums.
Janek Vallee
super rhum j'adore
Thomas
Particular, let it air! But tons of stuff in the mouth as you go along. You can identify them over time, so they're nice and long.
Serge Pariggi
Being used to Martinique/Guadeloupe agricultural products, Jamaicans do indeed smell of glue and varnish on the nose. It's important to know, but in the mouth it's much less present. In any case, it's important to make your own experience. The discovery pack is a good first step. After that, I think I'll be very careful in selecting Jamaican wines to suit my palate. But I'll keep on discovering Jamaica.
nicolas
Interesting
Francis Medard
An explosion of exotic fruits, lots of tone, great length on the palate.
A must-have
Didier Decart
Perfect in the genre,
Michael Sinot
Powerful but very good rum
Samuel Payet
A truly distinctive, very intense rum.
In the mouth: solvent (reminds me of Savana's HER range) then ripe banana. Very long finish.
JOAN COMBET
A very good Jamaican rum at an excellent price
Guilhem Quinio
An unbeatable value for money, this rum is simply excellent.
Patrick
A very good Jamaican Rum
Benoit Moreau
Excellent rum! I really liked the typical Jamaican rum notes. Lots of very (too) ripe tropical fruit (banana, among others, and also a little citrus), a nice spicy, honeyed touch. This little jewel is a great introduction for the neophyte who wants to discover Jamaica's heavy rums.
Benoit Moreau
Excellent rum! I really liked the typical Jamaican rum notes. Lots of very (too) ripe tropical fruit (banana, among others, and also a little citrus), a nice spicy, honeyed touch. This little jewel is a great introduction for the neophyte who wants to discover Jamaica's heavy rums.
Mr Olivier
Light on the palate, good taste
Vincent WOLF
It's beautiful and good. An excellent product, very, very well made. An oily texture and never-ending aromas. You might think this is a "light" rum for a Jamaican at 46 proof, but make no mistake, it's got it in spades and you won't be disappointed. It's a match for navy strength.
Seb B
My favorite rum.
Jamaican with character, at the right alcohol level (meaning not 67°) with the Velier stamp, all for a reasonable price.
Unbeatable.
Aldebert Christopher
Two Hampden 46- and 60- of great quality, a must-have, gift-priced in my opinion.
Romain
an excellent introduction to Jamaican rums