Overview
Brand: Hamilton
Origin: Saint Lucia Distillers Ltd., Roseau, Anse la Raye, Saint Lucia
Still: Pot (Vendome)
Age: 10 years
Finish: ex-Bourbon
ABV: 65.5%
Hot on the heels of my 9 year review, we've got the oldest expression in the Hamilton Saint Lucia Pot Still lineup. This time, it comes in the form of a sample, as this is one I haven't come across in the wild.
Like its sibling releases, Hamilton Saint Lucia Pot Still 10 year was distilled at Saint Lucia Distillers, using the pot chamber of their Vendôme hybrid still, in 2004. The resulting rum was casked in an ex-bourbon barrel, in which it aged for 10 years before bottling in New York state at a strength of 65.5% ABV.
This sample was provided to me by my good friend and head of the Carolina Rum Society, Mike Unruh.
Appearance
Dark orange-brown, medium viscosity
Nose
Dried mango, fresh pineapple, red grapes, rotting banana peel, vanilla, molasses
Palate
Vanilla, rice vinegar, rotting sour red grapes, molasses, overripe starfruit, blueberries, mango
Finish
Long, tannic, funky; vanilla, molasses, sour red grapes, old red apple skin, banana peel, touch of olive brine
Rating: 9/10
Summary
This is really interesting; having recently reviewed the 9 year, I'm seeing a stark difference in that this 10 year expression has a far more subdued funk than its younger siblings.
Dried mango, fresh pineapple, red grapes, and banana come through on the nose, which is actually dominated by succeeding aromas of molasses and vanilla; this has the most molasses-forward nose of any Saint Lucian rum I've tried.
Vanilla comes through on the palate at first, but is replaced by a stinging and sour rice wine vinegar, with rotting red grapes and molasses, which all reminds me of a solid Port Mourant. Starfruit, blueberries, and mango can be found after adding a drop of water.
The finish is long and tannic, but not nearly as woody as the 9 year, oddly enough; far more balanced but still complex. Molasses, and vanilla are the most pronounced, with a touch of olive brine peeking through.
Hamilton Saint Lucia 10 year is probably my favorite of the three that I have tried; it's the most balanced and has classic Saint Lucian industrial funk, but doesn't run completely wild with it. At over 65% ABV, this is still highly drinkable, and really a fun expression that helps highlight the diversity that casks and varied age statements can have on a similar distillate.