Review #910; Rum #276: Down Island Spirits Hampden 10yr (2012)

Down Island Spirits Hampden 10yr

This bottle of rum comes to us from a new American independent bottler Down Island (these things really seem to be popping up all over the place don’t they?). This rum comes to us from the Hampden distillery located in Jamaica. Aged for 10 years (3 in Jamaica then 7 in the UK) then bottled at cask strength with no additives. There is no official listing of the Marque, though a number of folks (myself among them) think it is HLCF which puts it in the 500-600 ester range.

ABV: 60.0%

Nose: Bright tropical fruits, over-ripe pineapple, Banana, Passionfruit, Nutmeg, Grapefruit, Toasted Brown Sugar

Palate: Medium oily mouthfeel, Over-ripe pineapple, Grapefruit, Nutmeg, Toasted Brown Sugar, Passionfruit, Star Anise

Finish: Medium length finish, Over-ripe pineapple, Star Anise, Nutmeg, Toasted Brown Sugar, Black Tea

Rating: 7/10

This is some great rum. It isn’t a high ester bomb, but its not OWH (sorry love ya OWH but I like oomph in my rums). It occupies that sweet spot right on the edge of getting into the weird flavors but is dialed in enough to be accessible and crushable.

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