Hampden - 7 years 2018 HGML Magnum Series n°3 60% - Mise Velier
Founded in 1753 in the heart of Trelawny, Hampden Estate embodies the Jamaican school of long-fermented pot still rums, where the identity is forged right from the vat. The distillery preserves a historical expertise centered around "marks" classified by ester levels, true aromatic signatures that Velier highlights through benchmark bottlings and limited editions of exceptional quality.
Vintage 2018 and aged for seven years entirely in a tropical climate, this bottling of the HGML brand belongs to Magnum Series No. 3, an artistic collaboration with Magnum Photos entrusted to photographer Cristina de Middel. Bottled at 60% cask strength, it offers a pure expression of the distillate and the aging process, while the label features one of the photographs taken on location in Hampden during her residency. The HGML brand reaches a new level of aromatic concentration with an ester level of around 1,000 to 1,100 g/hl of pure alcohol, guaranteeing an intensely fruity and precise profile.
The nose opens with a profusion of ripe tropical fruits: roasted pineapple, mango, and dried banana, soon joined by hints of bitter orange, green olive, and fine resins. With aeration, cocoa, light honey, and a touch of fine varnish emerge, indicating the high ester content without ever becoming excessive. The palate, ample and taut thanks to the natural alcohol level, unfolds a controlled, oily texture where roasted sugarcane, citrus marmalade, salty toffee, and sweet spices mingle. The finish, very long, dry, and vibrant, reveals dry rancio, nuts, orange zest, and a hint of smoke that prolongs the sensation of depth.
At the table or in the living room, serve it neat after a few minutes of rest in a tulip glass. It pairs beautifully with a lacquered pork chop, lightly sweetened duck à l'orange, aged cheddar, or a 24-month Comté. At the end of a meal, it complements a lightly sweetened chocolate fondant, a walnut tart, roasted pineapple with spices, or a medium-bodied cigar whose woody sweetness highlights its spices.
