This Hampden 2023 release was aged for 2 years in Europe in a once-used bourbon barrel. Distilled in June 2023, with the highest possible esters' content (DOK mark), it was bottled in November 2025 at 59.7% ABV. This edition of 256 bottles captures the nuanced influence of the bourbon barrel on the bold, high ester, Jamaican rum.
Jamaica 2023 - Hampden 1500-1600 GR/HLPA Bourbon
Jamaica Region
Hampden Distillery
2023 Distillation
2025 Bottled
2 YO Age
Bourbon Cask Type
#73 Cask
Pot (DOK) Still Type
Continental Ageing Maturation
700 ml 59.7% ABV Vol.
256 Bottles
Tasting Notes:
“A purely symbolic ageing of two years in Europe, hence the colour that could do with a little dye, like you-know-who in DC. By the way, with these ester levels, in theory this is . I suppose they could also use it in Elon Musk’s rockets (not Elon Muck, mind), or in dragsters. But enough silliness already… Colour: almost white. Nose: a punch straight to the nose, in the manner of Cassius Clay. Mediterranean seawater, kerosene I,deed, new leatherette, brake dust, leeks boiled in water. Right, with water: plenty of fresh rubber, you almost feel as if you are visiting a warehouse of Michelin, Continental or Pirelli. Mouth (neat): ultimate tension, almost as much salt as in the slightly mad blend by Vagabond Spirits, acetone, cider vinegar, green pepper. With water: you can drown it completely, it keeps insulting you without shame, a bit like the French in Monty Python’s Holy Grail. We take the references we can. Finish: almost eternal. Comments: it is still a little too mad to be recommended without reservations, remorse or scruples.
Jamaica 2023 - Hampden 1500-1600 GR/HLPA Bourbon
Jamaica Region
Hampden Distillery
2023 Distillation
2025 Bottled
2 YO Age
Bourbon Cask Type
#73 Cask
Pot (DOK) Still Type
Continental Ageing Maturation
700 ml 59.7% ABV Vol.
256 Bottles
Tasting Notes:
“A purely symbolic ageing of two years in Europe, hence the colour that could do with a little dye, like you-know-who in DC. By the way, with these ester levels, in theory this is . I suppose they could also use it in Elon Musk’s rockets (not Elon Muck, mind), or in dragsters. But enough silliness already… Colour: almost white. Nose: a punch straight to the nose, in the manner of Cassius Clay. Mediterranean seawater, kerosene I,deed, new leatherette, brake dust, leeks boiled in water. Right, with water: plenty of fresh rubber, you almost feel as if you are visiting a warehouse of Michelin, Continental or Pirelli. Mouth (neat): ultimate tension, almost as much salt as in the slightly mad blend by Vagabond Spirits, acetone, cider vinegar, green pepper. With water: you can drown it completely, it keeps insulting you without shame, a bit like the French in Monty Python’s Holy Grail. We take the references we can. Finish: almost eternal. Comments: it is still a little too mad to be recommended without reservations, remorse or scruples.
