Review by: The Auditor
Review #1434; Rum #733
The Velier Magnum series is an interesting collaboration between rum and photography. Spanish photographer Cristina De Middle, president of Magnum photos, came and took pictures of Hampden distillery. Four of these photos were selected for this Velier Jamaican series highlighting the famed Jamaican distillery.
Working with Hampden, this bottling is rum that was wildly fermented with dunder, muck, and cane vinegar for a long time. It then was distilled on a copper pot still and aged for 7 years at origin before being bottled at a high proof with no additives. It is the HGML marque that clocks in at 1,000-1,100 g/hlap.
Distillery: Hampden Estate
Bottler: Velier
Region: Jamaica
Still: Pot
ABV: 60%
Nose: Pungent, Beef Bouillon, Dirty Vanilla, Cantaloupe, Soy Sauce, Grilled Pineapple, Caramelized Plantain, Buttered Popcorn
Palate: Thick oily mouthfeel, Lemon Zest, Beef Bouillon, Dirty Vanilla, Cantaloupe, Soy Sauce, Grilled Pineapple, Caramelized Plantain, Nutmeg, Allspice, Buttered Popcorn, Hydraulic Fluid
Finish: Long Finish, Lemon, Beef Bouillon, Vanilla, Slight Motor Oil, Soy Sauce, Guava, Mango, Grilled Pineapple Caramelized Plantain, Nutmeg, Buttered Popcorn, Hydraulic Fluid
Hampden really is the best distillery on the planet (to me). This rum fills the room with its smell, fruits, a nice load of spice, very faint industrial chemicals just to keep you on your toes. Its savory and meaty, fruity, salty. It really hits all the flavors you want. The finish lasts forever, it’s rich, it drinks well within its proof. You can sit and ponder this for a long while and its sessionable. Just simply an incredible rum all around.
Final Score: 96
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.
Malt Runners 