Velier Magnum Series #3: Hampden 7 Year (2018) HGML

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.

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Distillery: Hampden Estate

Bottler: Velier

Region: Jamaica

Still: Pot

ABV: 60%

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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

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Rating: 9/10

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.

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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