It is January 2021 and life could not be further from where it was one year ago. Professionally, personally, politically, superficially. Everything has been turned upside down from what it once was.
As I took some time today to think about all the ways that my life is, has been, changing over the past year; I did so while enjoying Hampden Estate’s 2020 Great House Distillery Edition.
I have realized I haven’t spent any time talking about Hampden Estate on this “blog” which is unfortunate. The more time I spend with their and Worthy Park’s rums, the more I begin to understand, realize how they represent everything I am loving about rum. Big. Bold. Unapologetic. Once used to give character to others, but are now coming into their own.
Uninhibited and wild. Jamaica rum is like a scotch that got shipwrecked in the Caribbean but realizes this is where it belonged anyway.
Born in Trelawny, Jamaica, Hampden Estate has been producing rums for over two centuries and is one of two independently owned distilleries on the island. The Great House Distillery Edition is a love song to the mansion that sits on the distillery grounds.
Built in 1779 by the Stirling Family; the mansion served as a staging ground for the fine rums that were to be shipped to the Stirling’s native home of Scotland and England. Today, it is a fixture that exists outside of time. And I consider myself fortunate to be able to experience the 2ND Edition to pay homage to the distillery’s history.
This release is comprised of two different blends:
Their OWH (Owen W Hussey) (also found in the Foursquare Probitas blend) light marque which has an ester level around 40-80 gr/hL AA that was laid down in 2013 and their iconic high ester <>H (Diamond H) that went into barrels in 2017.
APPEARANCE
The sample bottle includes a miniaturized version of what would be on the marketed release. The label is a soft cream with the Hampden logo and Great House in a tropical green layout.
The rum itself has a heavy copper patina hue to it. No discernable highlights to it. The color you would see in weathered doors in the Caribbean. Authentically romantic.
As it sits in the glass, the rum has an obvious heft to it.
AROMA
Intensely rich. It buries any aspect of the 59% ABV that might be present. A comforting aroma of old leather is the first noticeable note to present itself. Braised pineapple is right behind it. Yeasty pastry dough, browned banana peel (would it be rum otherwise?), heavy homemade caramel, iodine, bandaids, and dried cranberry round out the nosing experience.
PALATE
An overload of flavors upfront. Mineral-rich treacle/molasses punch the palate straight away. Espresso beans, blueberry compote, stewed greens (one of my favorite flavors of Jamaica rum that Worthy Park shares), olive brine, and sour candies.
MOUTHFEEL
As one might expect at this point.
FINISH
A strong green pepper bite. An undeniable grassiness. Almost akin to the pre-lit draw of an unlit cigar. Fresh cut ginger, cayenne, unripe mango, and bitter orange flower water.
OVERALL
An absolutely beautiful expression of Jamaica rum and I sincerely hope to add a bottle of this to my collection. This was a wonderful way to round out 2020 and an even better way to cheers on what lies ahead.
A must-have.
