HAMPDEN 8 ans 2017 <> H Bourbon Barrel

Nose : Rich, heady. Terpenic (molten rock), empyreumatic (fuel, petrol), oily, medicinal (Tiger Balm), camphoric, musky and chocolatey, the aromatic palette is unapologetically intense. Upon airing, notes of sugarcane and macerating fruits (persimmon, mango, kaffir lime) fill the nose with their bold aromas.

Appearance : vieil or soutenu.

Palate : Lively, powerful. The flavour profile is equally impressive in richness and concentration. Ashy and almost peaty, it recalls at times an Islay single malt – an impression reinforced by a mineral evolution reminiscent of coal. Very fruity (pineapple) and syrupy (cane sugar), the finish boldly reasserts its Jamaican identity.

Overall : Long, velvety. Delightfully vanilla-led (vanilla pod) and ester-rich, it reveals floral (carnation, geranium) and honeyed (geranium honey) nuances in perfect harmony. In retro-olfaction, dark chocolate and cardamom tea notes lend it remarkable elegance. Long after, petrol-like scents rising from the empty glass linger in the air.