Authentic Flavor Carnival

Aroma: Powerful and complex, ripe bananas and juicy mangoes meet candied oranges and fruity soda candies.

Taste: Full-bodied with the sweetness of roasted almonds and papaya. Dark fruit notes of plums and cherries come through. Nutmeg, red pepper, clove spice, and anise create a wonderfully spicy counterpoint.

Finish: Long and fruity-spicy with oak and creamy beeswax.

The Hampden Estate from Jamaica is a particularly complex and spicy-fruity molasses rum. The rum was distilled at the Hampden Estate Distillery and aged for 8 years in oak barrels before being bottled at a robust drinking strength of 46%.

Authentic Rum from Jamaica

Since this rum comes from a single distillery, namely Hampden Estate, it carries the designation Single Jamaican Rum, similar to whisky. The British influence is still evident in the production: rum in Jamaica is made in copper pot stills, known as Pot Stills. This results in a heavier distillate. Hampden uses, among other things, two stills from the Scottish traditional house Forsyths, a big name in the Scotch whisky scene. This distinguishes Jamaican rum significantly from rums from Spanish or French-speaking parts of the Caribbean. 

Local and from a Single Source

Apart from this colonial heritage in the production process, the Hampden distillery is entirely in Jamaican hands. The family business grows the necessary raw materials itself. The Hussey family also owns Everglades Farms Ltd., which supports local farmers with financing and know-how. The molasses is fermented using local yeast strains. The ester content in Hampden rums is very high at 1600 milligrams per liter. This high ester content contributes to the bold and fruity bouquet of the rum. The version presented here showcases this in an elegantly fruity manner.

8 Years of Aging in the Tropics Equals 25 Years of Aging in Europe

This Hampden rum aged for at least 8 years in former bourbon barrels in Jamaica. Thus, the barrels matured in the tropical climate of the Caribbean. This also means that due to the high temperatures and humidity, the exchange between distillate and wood occurs more intensely and quickly than in the temperate regions of Europe. An 8-year-old rum does not necessarily equate to an 8-year-old Scotch whisky. One year of aging in Jamaica corresponds to a little more than three years in Scotland. Accordingly, this 8-year-old rum also displays an exceptionally rich and nuanced bouquet—qualities associated with old and long-aged spirits. 

Unadulterated Enjoyment

What positively sets Hampden apart from other (Jamaican) rums: Neither sugar, vanillin, nor glycerin has been added for post-sweetening. This reveals the true character of Jamaica. We greatly appreciate this transparency in a minimally regulated spirit. Standards are maintained here, similar to those we know and value from other spirits like whisky or cognac. Here, quality is guaranteed.

How to Enjoy Hampden Estate Pure Single Rum

If you want to discover even more aroma and flavor components, it is recommended to add a little water. Additionally, the rum is also suitable for cocktails or long drinks. To fully appreciate the bouquet, it is best enjoyed at room temperature with a few drops of water. Here you have the authentic taste of Jamaica in a glass. It’s also an exciting alternative for whisky drinkers—a true 'Malternative'.