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Single-cask rum is arguably the most dynamic and diverse collectible spirits category out there today, and what better way to kick off our private client spirits offers than a stunning rarity from a true Jamaican icon? Eric Kaye of Holmes Cay has made it his mission to scour the globe in search of the most authentic, singular expressions he can find – "honest rums" as he calls them – and they're easily some of the most compelling finds on the market in our opinion.
"Eric nailed it with this pick – the Hampden <>H cask is a world-class treat for the senses." – Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer
The Hampden Estate's storied history as a sugar plantation and distillery dates back 265 years, but it was only in 2010 that they began aging their rums on site, and only in 2018 that they began bottling under their own label. In that brief span of time, the Hampden name has become one of the most coveted and desired in the rum scene. The distillery produces a wide range of marks, but the <>H mark is a true unicorn, one of the distillery's rarest high-ester styles, so when we saw this one up for grabs, we went all in. Not the highest-ester mark they produce, but high enough at 900-1000 g/hL, and it's a funk lovers dream. "The aromatic complexity is off the charts," notes Andrew, "and my descriptors are really just an attempt to capture what’s actually impossible to fully describe." Of course, you'd expect the palate to showcase its own "mind-boggling" complexity and "thoroughly enveloping and assertive" textural profile, and you'd be correct. If you're a seasoned rum geek, you'll already be adding it to your stash, but any serious connoisseur of high-end, collectible spirits should count themselves fortunate to get their hands on it, and B-21 is your exclusive source. |