Overview
Brand: Hampden Estate
Origin: Hampden Estate, Wakefield, Trelawny Parish, Jamaica
Still: Pot
Age: NAS
Finish: ex-Bourbon
ABV: 57%
It's that time of year again: Great House season. For the 2024 edition, the Hampden team has selected a number of rums that span the range of marques produced by the distiller.
The blend components are listed below:
| % of Blend | Marque | Vintage | Ester Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50% | LFCH | 2021 | 90-120g/hLAA |
| 20% | LFCH | 2020 | |
| 15% | HGML | 2018 | 1,000-1,100g/hLAA |
| 15% | DOK | 2021 | 1,500-1,600g/hLAA |
Each of the rums in the Hampden Great House 2024 blend were produced using one of their pot stills from a base of molasses. The ages of each rum range from 6 years at the oldest to 3 years at the youngest, with all aging done in ex-Bourbon casks. The 2024 edition was bottled at 57% ABV.
For transparency's sake, this sample was provided to me by a brand representative, with no obligation other than to enjoy the rum.
Appearance
Gold, low viscosity
Nose
Pineapple yogurt, fresh orange juice, vanilla bean, mango, rotten banana peel, maraschino cherries, jack fruit
Palate
Fresh pineapple, rotting banana, jackfruit, sour red grapes, vanilla bean, starfruit, hint of aloe
Finish
Long, warm, complex; cola spice, jackfruit, banana peel, orange rind, vanilla, maraschino cherries, BandAid bandages
Rating: 7/10
Summary
Great House vintages are very fun, and the 2024 edition brings a heaping helping of complexity to table. Lots of fruit, spices, and other, more unconventional notes for Hampden rum.
On the first few whiffs, I get a good bit of pineapple yogurt, with the tangy fruit accenting a creamy dairy note, followed by orange juice, vanilla bean, and mango. Rotting banana peel joins in, which is also featured on the palate, joined by other fruits like jackfruit, sour grapes, and starfruit; a lingering touch of vegetal aloe comes through on the backend.
The palate and finish are a little spicier than other Great Houses, with cola spice and vanilla joined by orange, banana, cherry, and BandAid notes.
This is a fun release and another excellent entry into this annual series; great work by the Hampden team! I'm excited to snag a full-size bottle of this now that it landed in town.