Hampden Estate Pagos 100% Ex-Sherry Cask Pure Single Jamaica Rum (700ml)

The mastermind behind Velier, Luca Gargano has been working with the famous sherry Bodega 'Lustau' securing casks filled with Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez along the way. Twenty were sent to Haiti and another twenty to Jamaica. 'Pagos' which is Spanish for 'cluster' is, according to Luca, the first rum to be fully aged in true sherry casks, thus marking the beginning of a new era for Hampden's rums. On top of that, ageing happened entirely onsite. Although it's not stated on the label, the rum is probably somewhere between 3 or 4 years old. Nothing has been added prior to bottling at 52% Alc./Vol. Very limited stocks.

Other reviews... Pot stills, NAS, butts, PX and oloroso, where else did we spot that already? Doesn't the world of 'aged' (sometimes barely) spirits get globalised? And what's the proper price for NAS? Colour: deep gold. Nose: Hampden, at least this one, is much more acetic (not ascetic) and varnishy than WP. Huge brine, glues, nail polish remover, olives and capers. I wouldn't swear poor PX does come through, but that's good news in my book. With water: new magazines and books, touch of juniper and caraway, green walnuts, nocino… Mouth (neat): high and heavy, with a lot of acetone, even a feeling of ammonia, liquorice, grass extract (more and more chefs are using that), salty cough syrup, eucalyptus… Frankly, I'd have said Yarmouth. With water: superb salty and varnishy development, all with green walnuts that keep it really tight and dry. Finish: very long, salty, with sardines, anchovies and olives. Comments: I find it absolutely excellent, but the WPs were rather more complex (especially the Picnic). Now, there isn't only complexity in life, naturally. Very good Hampden. 88 points - whiskyfun.com