Overview
Brand: Hamilton
Origin: Diamond Distillery, Diamond, Guyana
Still: Pot & Column Blend
Age: NAS
Finish: ex-Bourbon*
ABV: 75.5%
For review #151, I cannot in good conscience pass up the opportunity to analyze perhaps the best-known 151 proof rum in the American market. Hamilton 151 is often specifically requested in recipes that range from Smuggler's Cove, to the Total Tiki app, to Liquor.com; it's renowned for the rich demerara character, delivered in a high octane package.
Like all Hamilton rums, the 151 expression is imported by Ed Hamilton, and was originally produced by Demerara Distillers Ltd (DDL) in Guyana. This is a blend of pot and column distillates that were aged up to 5 years in presumably ex-Bourbon casks; this info comes from the Hamilton 86 expression details, as the two are identical aside from proof.
Per Ed's Caribbean-Spirits.com website, the DDL bulk rum is imported in 1,000 liter IBC tanks at a strength of 77% ABV, and diluted to the appropriate proof– 75.5% for 151– using filtered water.
Appearance
Orange-brown, low viscosity
Nose
Ethanol, brown sugar, Play-Doh, prunes, graham cracker
Palate
Brown sugar, prunes, caramel
Finish
Long, hot, sweet; brown sugar, prunes, ethanol
Rating: 6/10
Summary
Surprising to nobody, Hamilton 151 is a very strong rum, and not one I typically consider drinking neat, aside from reviewing. However, there's a great deal of flavor packed into this flammable expression, even if it is limited to a handful of notes.
Amongst the ever-present stinging of ethanol, brown sugar and prunes are heavily present in all segments of the experience. They're joined by lesser notes of Play-Doh, graham cracker, and caramel.
As far as high proof spirits go, you can't really do better than Hamilton 151 for your tiki cocktail needs, or if you ever need human-consumable fuel for a flaming garnish.
Where to Buy
Recommended Cocktails
- Zombie (Donn the Beachcomber, adapted by Smuggler's Cove, 1940s)
- Jet Pilot (Luau, Beverly Hills, CA, 1958)
- Cobra's Fang (Donn the Beachcomber, 1937)