Hampden Great House Distillery Edition 2023

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 57% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

The Great House Edition 2023 brings together different rum styles from the same distillery. The blend comprises 60% LROK distilled in 2021 and 40% HLCF distilled in 2016. The two components matured for around two and seven years respectively. Their differing ester levels bring together distinct expressions of Hampden’s fruity character.

This molasses rum is distilled in pot stills and matured in former bourbon casks in Jamaica’s tropical climate. The recipe changes each year, making this fifth release a distinct interpretation of the distillery’s style. Mineral and roasted notes complement its fruit and spice. The rum is bottled at 57% without added colouring or chill filtration; the 0.7-litre bottle comes in gift packaging.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Sugar cane blossoms, cane sugar and vanilla initially lead the nose. Oxidative impressions then emerge with a fuel-like note, accompanied by Bourbon vanilla, pineapple and banana.
• Palate: The rum is full-bodied and powerful on the palate. Camphor and vetiver precede gradually spreading clove notes. The texture becomes supple on the mid-palate, where vanilla, lemon and acacia honey shape the flavour.
• Finish: The long finish recalls warm cane sugar. Coconut and almond lend it a milky quality, complemented by a subtle anise note. Ginger, mirabelle plum, wild thyme and sage also remain present.

Distillery/Bottler:

Hampden Estate is located in Jamaica’s Trelawny region and dates back to 1753. Its production methods include fermentation with natural yeasts lasting eight to fifteen days. Distillation takes place in four pot stills. The distillery produces eight rum styles known as marks. These codes represent different fermentation and distillation methods as well as differing ester levels. This creates a broad aromatic spectrum within a single distillery, which also provides the foundation for the Great House range.

The edition takes its name from the Great House, built by the Stirling family in 1779. Still standing today, the building also served until the 20th century as a store for rum casks awaiting transport to the port. Hampden now welcomes guests and visitors there.

Facts: