Review #615; Rum #112: Habitation Velier Hampden LROK (Unaged)

This is a 2020 release from Habitation Velier, who worked with Hampden distillery in Jamaica to select this rum. This unaged high ester release features the LROK mark from Hampden, which has an ester count between 300-400 esters gr/hL. Let see how it stacks up.

ABV: 57.8%

Nose: Over-ripe fruits, banana, grilled pineapple rind, guava, salted meat

Palate: Medium oily mouthfeel. Banana, grilled pineapple rind, salted meat, black tea, light star anise

Finish: Medium length finish. Black tea, black pepper, faint star anise

Rating: 6/10

This isn’t an all out brutal assault on your senses like some of the higher ester marks, but it is still quite good and interesting. Nice salted meats, those classic over-ripe fruits like banana, mango, and pineapple. It lacks the crazy punch and over the topness of DOK, C<>H, but it has good subtle flavors. As far as unaged, high proof Hampden rum, this ones pretty approachable.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect