Rum Fire White Overproof

Open a bottle and the whole room will know... This is a good thing in my book, especially with a nose of over-ripe banana, guava, and mango (*insert almost any other over-ripe tropical fruit). There's a definitive difference from other over-proof Jamaican rums; the nose has citrus finish that draws one back for more. Despite the high proof and strong nose, this rum is an excellent sipper. I find that I can nose and sip a pour of this for a very long time, as the flavors develop and expand. If you like reserved funk, this is your rum. It's there to enthrall and play well in cocktails, but it finishes with a clean linger. If other over-proof Jamaican rums finish with a durian note, I find that Rum Fire finishes with a balanced citrus note like a well-made daiquiri. Sure there's funk, it's 100% pot still Jamaican utilizing muck pits after all. Much like the nerdy lead girl in an 80's movie, Rum Fire's outer appearance (read: label) hides an inner beauty that shines in cocktails and on its own.

Wow, I wasn't sure if this was a positive review or not, then I saw it was Matt and I know how much he loves Rum Fire and well there is the 87 Point score. I can see where he was being playful in reference to the name. To me Rum FIre is PERFECTLY definitive, traditional Jamaican Rum; this is the kind of rum that originally made Jamaica famous for its rum. Rum Fire is a high ester, fruity, intricate, higher proof and layered rum that is also somehow AMAZINGLY BALANCED. My only problem with this rum is personal, I just want to keep drinking it. Embarrassingly, I used to mock the label, but I actually have grown to love it over all the years I have been drinking it; it's FUNky.

Sipping neat, on the nose I get banana taffy, ripe mango and papaya, cardamom-infused sugar syrup, coconut flesh and faint cantaloupe. On the palate, the tropical fruit melange is in the forefront, with hints of orange zest, sea salt and white pepper, and a faint mingling of an herbal/grassy note with gasoline. The finish is long and dry, with over-ripe bananas and tropical fruits somewhat masking the grassy gasoline note. This may not be a nightly sipper but I find it easy to drink neat and look forward to trying it in some cocktails.

Think it's time to review some Hampden offerings. This is the distillery that made me realize rum is exciting. This is hogo all over, fruity nose heavy with funk. Banana peel, burnt rubber, a little heat, and a slightly sour note I can't place. There's a little salinity on the finish. Overall, an excellent offering in the "white overproof" category

An excellent example of Jamaican overproof. Not for the faint of heart! High ester pot still from Hampden Estate. The long fermentation and double retort brings in that Jamaican funk I know and love.

All the oily, auto shop goodness of an aged Hampden, without the barrel effects. Surprisingly balanced and approachable for its proof. If you love funk, this is the white rum for you.