Hampden 8 Marks Collection 8x0,2l Aged 1 Year in Ex-Bourbon Casks

Volume: 1.6 litres | Alcohol content: 52% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

A year in ex-bourbon casks changes eight different Hampden distillates without making their original profiles uniform. The second 8 Marks Collection adds the influence of tropical cask ageing to the concept of the first, unaged release. All eight rums matured in the distillery warehouse in Jamaica. The casks are made from American white oak; the warm, humid climate accelerates the exchange between wood and spirit.

The collection contains OWH, LFCH, LROK, HLCF, Diamond H, HGML, C Diamond H and DOK, each in a 0.2-litre bottle at 52% alcohol. A mark identifies a particular recipe and production method in which raw materials, fermentation time and distillation shape the aromatic profile. Ester levels at distillation range from 40–80 grams per hectolitre of pure alcohol for OWH to 1,500–1,600 for DOK. The set therefore allows different distillate types to be compared directly at the same age and bottling strength.

OWH retains apple and pear notes with a lightly caramelised accent, while LFCH shows a more pronounced influence from the wood. In LROK, woody notes and gentle caramel combine with charcoal-like impressions. HLCF offers ripe banana and pineapple alongside the cask influence. The higher-ester marks retain their powerful underlying profiles: Diamond H combines aromatic power with youthful balance, HGML remains close to its heavy original character, and C Diamond H develops a more complex bouquet. Ripe banana and solvent-like acetate notes lead the profile of DOK. The rums contain no colouring and are not chill-filtered. Black bottles with red labels printed in gold are presented in a deep-red premium box.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: OWH has aromas of dried coconut, pineapple and papaya, complemented by raw almond and walnut notes, as well as figs. With air, brown sugar, banana and a subtle bandage note emerge. HLCF provides a spicier contrast with nutmeg, clove and star anise; its aromas also recall toasted banana cake, gingerbread and cake made with tinned peaches.
• Palate: OWH opens with a syrupy impression of corn syrup and apple pie filling. Tart-sweet green apples and caramelised banana follow. HLCF is shaped by spicy, caramelised banana pudding and lightly grilled pineapple, complemented by green apples and ripe pears.
• Finish: OWH initially leaves subtle allspice and cinnamon notes, which develop into an impression of cinnamon sugar. HLCF leaves a lingering, syrupy and herbal sugarcane impression, together with apple pie filling and baking spices.

Distillery/Bottler:

Hampden Estate is located in Trelawny, Jamaica, and was founded in 1753. The distillery is known for aromatically heavy pot-still rums, which were long sought primarily for international rum blends. Its different marks arise from individual combinations of raw materials, fermentation methods and distillation. OWH and LFCH are among the newer molasses-based recipes, while HLCF is one of the estate’s historic marks.

Since 2009, Hampden has also aged its own production on site; its first official aged releases reached the market in 2018. The 8 Marks Collection connects this development with a comparative tasting concept. Together with Laboratoire Cognac Oenologie, the one-year-old rums underwent chemical analysis to explain how wood constituents affect the different distillates. Alongside the individual rum profiles, the collection thus explores cask ageing and changes in aroma.

Facts: