Review by: The Auditor
Review #1181; Rum #496
Down Island spirits in an independent American rum bottler based out of the state of Florida. Here they have bottled a rum from Hampden Estate, that legendary distillery located in Jamaica. This rum was distilled from molasses and is of the <>H marque, which clocks in at 900-1000 gr/hLAA esters. This puts it above HLCF but below HGML. This rum was aged for four years in ex-bourbon casks in Jamaica before it was shipped to the Netherlands where it aged for another 6 years. It was then bottled in 2024 in Florida at cask strength with no additives or chill filtration.
Distillery: Hampden Estate
Bottler: Down Island
Region: Jamaica
Cask: Ex-Bourbon
ABV: 68.5%
Nose: Pungent, Grilled Pineapple, Mango, Lemon Juice, Cement Glue, Allspice, Apple Cider Vinegar
Palate: Thick oily mouthfeel, Grilled, Pineapple Mango, Lemon Juice, Cement Glue, Apple Cider Vinegar, Brine, Allspice
Finish: Long finish, Grilled Mango, Lemon Juice, Lavender, Earl Grey tea, Brine, Allspice
Conclusion: A bit of over-ripe fruits, glue, floral, bit of spices. Like a lot of higher ester Hampden rums this has a number of things going on in it. They all work together for me too, its not as intense as the aged higher ester rums Ive had but its quite an excellent expression of a slightly industrial leaning Hamden expression as that cement glue and vinegar note form the backbone of this.
Final Score: 91
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 