This sample was provided to me by a producer, distributor, or some other industry source free-of-charge. No compensation, outside of the sample, was received and there were no strings attached.
Review #1468; Rum #767
Spinnaker is the newest kid on the American Rum Independent Bottler block created by Kevin McBrayer and based out of Austin Texas. What are they offering? Additive free bottlings of rum from around the globe.
This bottling comes from Hampden Estate in Trelawny Jamaica. It was made from molasses, fermented for 4 days with wild yeasts before being distilled on a double retort pot still. It then aged in ex-bourbon for 7.4 years in Jamaica at origin, 1.2 years in the UK, and was then recasked into a Still Austin ex-bourbon cask for .4 years in Texas before being bottled at cask strength with no additives.
This rum from Hampden is the LFCH marque which clocks in at 85-120 gr/HLPA.
Distillery: Hampden Estate
Bottler: Spinnaker
Region: Jamaica
Still: Double Retort Pot
ABV: 63.2%
Nose: Grilled Pineapple, Soy Sauce, Vanilla Cream, Allspice, Fresh Mango
Palate: Medium mouthfeel, Grilled Pineapple, Vanilla, Allspice, Nutmeg, Black Pepper, Wood Varnish, Fresh Mango
Finish: Medium length finish, Grilled Pineapple, Vanilla, Nutmeg, Black Pepper, Soy Sauce, Wood Varnish, Leather, Fresh Mango
A very good bottling here from Spinnaker. The fruit flavors are pop and this is very bright and vibrant. The spices bring a nice touch as well and the soy sauce and leather add a very nice set of complexity to the rum. It takes water very well and I want to like it more, but it run quite hot and is a bit unbalanced when it comes to the heat for me. Flavors are great, but it comes across as brutally hot for my palate. Add lots of water would be my advice, but even with water the flavors are very good.
Final Score: 85
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 