After struggling with an illness for the last couple of days we are back with a few interesting Hampdens waiting on my table.

The Whisky Jury Hampden 2012 10YO (58,4%): This should be “OWH”. Nose: Clearly Jamaican but not necessarily Hampden, I think that describes it quite well. This nutty profile profile is much closer to many Long Ponds in that sense. The Rum smells slightly more alcoholic than I think it should but keep in mind that this one is only ten years old, mostly continental, I guess. Aromawise, I get a mix of herbs (thyme and rosary), strawberry, said nuts, caramel vla, grilled fish and spicy ginger. Not too bad at all, actually, despite the youth. Palate: As the nose suggested, this one is sharper than I think it should be at this age and abv. Strawberry, mango, the ginger and spices such as cumin or cardamom are my main associations. With the second sip more herbs and those BBQ notes we’ve also found in the nose. Finish: Relatively long with oak, milk coffee, chocolate biscuit and herbs. I think it is a fine Rum, despite its flaws (alcoholic sharpness) and lack of complexity. (83/100)

Flensburg Rum Company Hampden “C<>H” “PX Finish” 2007 15YO (60,66%): These Rums from the batch that shouldn’t exist have been outstanding so far but this one received a PX finish. Nose: And you can definitely notice that right away, as the Rum comes with a pronounced sweetness and aromas you typically do not associate with Hampden, such as raisins, raspberry, grenadine, maple syrup and gorp. Deeper in the glass you can also find notes of mango, esters, glue and overripe banana but the finish has clearly put its stamp on the Rum. Palate: Slightly sharp at first but contrary to the The Whisky Jury bottling, it feels just right. Then lots and lots of Rum soaked raisins, a mix of nuts, different syrups ranging from grenadine to maple, burnt caramel, banana and quite some wood, most likely also from the finish. If it weren’t for the esters, you might easily mistake this for some Spanish Brandy. Finish: Exceedingly dry (oak) and herbal, with these sweet notes all around it. It is neither better nor worse than the The Whisky Jury, but totally different. (83/100)

The Rum Cask Hampden “LROK” 2000 23YO (59,3%): This is a 2000 LROK with a second maturation in a 1990 C<>H cask. As I have said before: we need more Rum cask finished Rums! Nose: You can tell that this is LROK but the have stepped on the gas pedal a bit. Interestingly I get pronounced notes of bacon and cocoa. Now that I think about it, we’ve found sausage-like notes such as chorizo in many of the 2000s. Other impressions include salty parmigiano, pecan, pineapple and citrus. Palate: Quite smooth with banana, cinnamon, nutmeg, cocoa and related roasting aromas. With the second sip brown sugar, oak, pepper, pineapple and citrus. I don’t know, it is fine, but not the Rum I was hoping for/ had in mind with this experiment. Finish: Not too long with pineapple, citrus, oak, vanilla and a hint of anise. Still the same score, but once again a different profile. (83/100)

Habitation Velier Hampden “DOK” 2017 5YO (60,5%): Right on! Nose: Sweet pastry and nail polish remover galore! This is modern, tropically aged high ester Hampden as we got to know it. Overripe fruits (banana, pineapple, mango etc.) meet sour cherries, a hint of herbs, persipan and acetone. It is full and rich and already hints at a super creamy texture. Palate: Oha. Very sour at first (a mix between highly acidic balsamico and fresh lime juice) but then incredibly fruity (pineapple, banana, orange, citrus) and rich (think that Persian pastry that gives you tooth decay just by watching). With the second sip more oranges, rose water and orgeat perhaps. This one just screams Mai Tai in my book, even though we typically prefer deeper, wedderburn style Rums in that drink. Finish: Long and fruity, with said acidity and a pleasant mix of oak, pastry and persipan. This Rum ticks all the right boxes. It is not the most complex expression out there but a truly great Rum nevertheless. (89/100)

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