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..."
In comparison with the old Hampden 46° format , this rum from the OWH brand (the old one was a blend of OWH, LROK and DOK) offers a more affordable profile from the first moments. The fruit bouquet unfolds immediately, while the old one, more complex, needed more aeration. On the palate, this Hampden 8 year old is relatively light (if we can describe a Hampden as “light”!) and less demanding than its predecessor. It is perfect for discovering the unique style of this distillery.
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.
