Founded in 1753 in the parish of Trelawny, Hampden Estate is one of Jamaica's historic distilleries. Originally operated as a sugarcane plantation, it gradually shifted toward producing rums with powerful aromatic profiles, characterized by a high concentration of esters. In contrast to the industrial methods adopted elsewhere, Hampden has preserved its traditional production style, which relies on natural fermentation (without added human yeast) and distillation in copper pot stills with double retorts.
Preserved expertise
The uniqueness of Hampden lies in its long fermentation process, which can last from a few days to several weeks. The yeasts, naturally present in the distillery’s environment, contribute to the aromatic richness of the distillates. The water, drawn from the estate and filtered through the region’s limestone soil, also influences their profile.
The molasses used comes from local sugarcane grown for sugar production. Rich in aromas of licorice and dark caramel, it is diluted and then placed in vats for fermentation.
Distillation, carried out exclusively in pot stills, produces highly concentrated rums, with ester levels reaching 1,600 g/hlap—far above the average of other distilleries. This high concentration gives Hampden rums their distinctive profile, rich in fruity, spicy, and fermentative notes.
Hampden is, along with Long Pond, one of the last distilleries to use the muck pit. In certain fermentations, muck (the so-called “mud pit”) and dunder (distillation residues placed in pits dug around the distillery) are reintroduced to intensify ester production.
From bulk to official bottlenecks
For a long time, Hampden supplied its distillates to blenders and independent bottlers, contributing to many Navy Rum blends. It was only in 2009, after its acquisition by the Hussey family, that the distillery began marketing its own bottlings.
In 2018, the first official releases under the Hampden Estate name were launched. Expressions such as Hampden Estate 46% and Hampden Overproof 60% finally allowed enthusiasts to discover the raw identity of the distillery’s rums.
Rums with a strong character
Hampden rums are bottled without chill filtering, and with no added sugar or coloring. Here are some of the iconic expressions:
HAMPDEN 8 ans
74 €
HAMPDEN 8 ans
The Hampden Estate distillery in northwestern Jamaica made a name for itself by producing powerful, aromatic rums for bottlers to enhance their own spirits. Now, Hampden Estate is branching out, and this Hampden 8 Year Old, a worthy heir to the Jamaican "stinking rums," is a delicious blend of ripe fruits, sweet spices, and delicate woody notes. Its intense profile and very pronounced aromas give it an authentic and natural character.
HAMPDEN 1753
59.9 €
HAMPDEN 1753
Named in reference to the year the distillery was founded, Hampden 1753 was crafted using the same traditional methods: long fermentations, pot still distillation characteristic of the Jamaican style, and 100% tropical aging. Aged for 3 years in bourbon casks and bottled at 46% ABV, Hampden 1753 reveals the distillery's characteristic "high-ester" profile in an accessible and versatile expression, making it the perfect introduction to the inimitable style of this legendary Jamaican distillery.
HAMPDEN HLCF Classic Overproof
Hampden HLCF Classic Overproof is a unique and exceptional rum. Made from the HLCF mark (Hampden Light Continental Flavoured), it is defined by its power, as evidenced by its 60% ABV. Despite its strength, it remains refined and delicate, with toasted, woody, and spicy aromas.
HAMPDEN Great House Distillery Edition 2024
Behind these abbreviations—OWH, LFCH, LROK, HLCF, < > H, HGML, C <> H, DOK—are the eight marks used by the Hampden distillery to classify its rums based on their ester concentration. Made up of several of these marks, the Hampden Great House bottling, which has been renewed annually since 2019, perfectly embodies the unique style of this iconic Jamaican rum. A blend of three vintages, this sixth edition reveals a freshly mentholated aromatic profile that's overflowing with exoticism and particularly spicy. On the palate, it's intensely fruity and unctuously chocolatey, evolving generously toward increasingly indulgent notes.
HAMPDEN LROK White Habitation Velier
Located in Jamaica, the Hampden distillery has been continuously producing rums for over 265 years using Forsyth and Vendome pot stills. This "light pot" bottling from Velier contains an ester level ranging from 350 to 400 grams per hectoliter of pure alcohol. With a remarkably fresh expression, the aromatic and flavor profile of this particularly ethereal white rum is a true melting pot of sugarcane, heady flowers, fresh and exotic fruits, and indulgent, spicy, and herbaceous notes.
Today, Hampden Estate stands as an authentic benchmark for Jamaican rum. Its commitment to age-old methods and its refusal of industrial standards make it an essential distillery for enthusiasts of spirits with character.
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