Overview
Brand: Hampden Estate, 8 Marks series
Origin: Hampden Estate, Wakefield, Trelawny Parish, Jamaica
Still: Pot
Age: Unaged
Finish: n/a
ABV: 60%
C<>H is what I consider the last trail camp before reaching the summit of the Hampden 8 Marks Collection. The marque is pronounced "C–diamond–H", and may be alternatively written as "C◆H" or "C💎H"; I'm interested what the relationship is between this and the <>H marque, given how similar their names are.
For raw materials, C<>H contains high levels of cane juice vinegar, dunder, and muck, and medium amounts of water and molasses. It has a 10 day alcoholic fermentation period, and sits in a dead wash for another 10 days, totally 20 days of fermentation and yielding 2-4% ABV wash. During distillation, it is sent through a double retort pot still that produces a rum ranging from 85.5-86.5% ABV.
As of posting, it appears there are no Hampden Estate releases that contain the C<>H marque. The infosheet itself mentions how this is a "rare" marque given its intensity; aside from independent bottlings, it may be used in bulk blends as a component.
Appearance
Clear, medium viscosity
Nose
Blueberries, pre-ripened strawberries, fresh pineapple, banana peel, starfruit, varnish, dill, butterscotch, model glue
Palate
Banana bread, fresh pineapple, blueberries, strawberries, starfruit, mango, sour green grapes, plantain chips, raspberries, butterscotch
Finish
Long, fruity, hot; banana peel, sweet cream, pineapple, green apple skin, raspberries, clementine
Rating: 9/10
Summary
C<>H really packs a punch, as can be expected with an ester count this high. While it's delicious, I definitely see how the marque is solidly in the range of "flavoring component", with its innumeral quantity of notes on the bouquet and palate.
Blueberries, pre-ripened strawberries, and a varnish/glue note hits hard when giving this a sniff, with successive trips returning with other fruits, and hints of dill and butterscotch. The palate yields plenty of fruits itself, but starts off with a sweet-and-savory banana bread note at the front. Savory plantain chips come through near the rear, and the butterscotch note many find in this marque is present, which leads to a long, hot, and fruity finish.
I've got a few samples of aged C<>H rums to get to, so I'm glad I got a chance to give this a go as an unaged review first. This is definitely up there as far as one of my favorites.