Hampden Estate 8 Year Pure Single Jamaican Rum

N: Bananas, mint, and chalk first. Overall effect is medicinal and very funky. It's actually really hard to describe and I'm not gonna do it justice. Other fruits come later, then some brown sugar and cola. It's also herbal and grassy with some bitter tea-like characteristics. Then there's something like chilled vegetables in the nose - really stretching to describe this. It's odd, funky, not really engaging, but not so off-putting as to turn you off completely. P: Sweet, but not fruity. Tannic and bitter. Minty, herbal, and medicinal. Spicy and woody bite on the finish, and it builds nicely over time. There's not a lot in terms of flavor, just a lot of feel. Flavors really stay in the nose. This is reminds me of like a super funky white wine. Thinking of a really bitter and vegetal Sancerre I had once, for example. It's nice as a true curveball (or knuckleball, really), but it's hard to consider trying this again. Someone out there will super love it, but that's not me. I've actually enjoyed this bottle for being so different, but don't think I'll do it again.

Aroma is ripened banana, pineapple, and funk. Also, some sweetened car exhaust and green apple. Hey, I'm just smellin' what I'm smellin'. Getting flavors out of it is a little tougher. Yeah, there's the hogo. A quick sip does hit one with the bourbon taste and its smell in the retro-hale. Holding it a bit longer returns, well, alcohol burn to be honest, but pineapple as well. After-taste is a faint caramel...and hogo. Hogo is everywhere. Missing information: Aged in ex-Bourbon casks. Rating is based on neat sipping.

Nose is fruity with a little brown sugar. Decidedly less hogo than other Hampden offerings, on account of the lower ester marque, but it's still quite funky compared to most molasses rums. I get some brown sugar, banana, and a little cream on the palate. Solid standard bottling, and a good intro to Hampden.

Unique rum. Lives up to all the hype. Nose is very light despite the full bodied flavor. The finish is particularly spectacular, with heavy notes of cinnamon and caramelized banana. Funky and smooth. I would let the bottle air out for a few days after opening to let the flavors settle. Recommended.

Incredibly rich vanilla oak banana nose. Palate immediately hits you like a fresh charred bourbon, but get to the development and the hogo begins to arrive. The finish is like bananas foater creme brulee with more hogo revealing itself. One of a kind.

Nose: lots of fruit, cream, vanilla and floral notes that are very reminiscent if a cognac Palate: quick pivot from the nose with some spice, caramel, and licorice Finish: short finish with the licorice and spice hanging around