Overview
Brand: Hamilton
Origin: Diamond Distillery, Diamond, Guyana; Worthy Park, Lluidas Vale, Saint Catherine Parish, Jamaica
Still: Pot & Column Blend
Age: NAS
Finish: ex-Bourbon
ABV: 75.5%
As we clear the middle of Hamilton Week, we approach a special collaboration between Ed Hamilton and the crew of San Diego's storied False Idol tiki bar. Ed, Anthony Schmidt, and the False Idol crew worked together to select a one-of-a-kind, max-strength rum that would be able to amplify the bar's tropical elixirs.
Instead of a fully-Demerara formula, this edition is a blend of 85% Demerara (DDL) and 15% Jamaican (Worthy Park) rums. The DDL component is likely a pot & column blend, while the Worthy Park would be a pot still rum. There are no details on aging, and although the color suggests some cask treatment, that could very well be added coloring.
This special edition is bottled at the eponymous 151 proof, or 75.5% ABV.
Appearance
Dark cooper, low viscosity
Nose
Prunes, sharp ethanol, brown sugar, burnt waffle, caramel
Palate
Brown sugar, prunes, caramel, molasses, hint of crushed banana
Finish
Long, powerful, dark; brown sugar, molasses, dates, ethanol
Rating: 6/10
Summary
Predictably, this 151 proof rum is not the smoothest option out there for sipping. However, it actually has some discernable character that gives it some depth, relative to the standard, Demerara-only 151.
After recovering from the initial onslaught of alcohol vapors overwhelming my nasal receptors, I pick up the dark and fruity notes of prunes, the sharp sting of raw ethanol, hearty brown sugar and caramel, as well as an aroma that reminds me of burnt waffles/pancakes. Much of the same comes through on the palate, with a hint of crushed, baked banana coming through on the back palate; the finish is strong and continues in the vein of raw sugarcane byproducts, dates, and alcohol.
If you're looking for a good option to use as a high proof ingredient in a tiki cocktail, this version of Hamilton's 151 proof offering is a great choice.