Review #889; Rum #264: Holmes Cay Jamaica Hampden C<>H 15yr (2007) “Baytowne Selection”

Holmes Cay Jamaica 15yr Hampden (2007) C<>H Baytowne Selection

This is a single barrel of rum bottled by Holmes Cay, which is an American Independent bottler. This rum comes to us from the Hampden distillery in Jamaica and is of their C<>H Marque which clocks in at a blistering 1300-1400 gr/hLAA. This ex-bourbon cask aged in Europe for 15 years before being bottled at cask strength with no additives.

ABV: 65.9%

Nose: Butterscotch, popcorn, Over-ripe almost rotting, Banana, Guava, Black Pepper, Oak Spice, Nutmeg, Cement Glue

Palate: Thick oily mouthfeel, Buttery popcorn, Over-ripe Banana, Guava, Passionfruit, Lemon Zest, Oak Spice, Nutmeg, Black Pepper, Lime Juice, Cement Glue

Finish: Long Finish. Black Pepper, Lemon Zest, Passionfruit, Over-Ripe banana, Guava, Buttery Popcorn

Rating: 8/10

An excellent rum, bursting with over-ripe, sometimes a bit rotting fruits, cement, spices, and nice oak spice to round it all out. No surprise another well aged High Ester Hampden performs well for me. I have to give the slight nudge to the 12yr C<>H I’ve had over this, but this is still a bottle I bought 2 of and would happily buy more its so good. A fantastic selection.

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