Hampden Great House - Distillery Edition 2025

Profile: The Hampden Great House - Distillery Edition 2025 at a glance

• Hampden Great House 2025: If walls could tell stories (and smell of pineapple)
• A 100% molassesrum: Distilled in a double retort pot still
• Bottled naturally: Not colored & unsweetened

Portrait: What makes the Hampden Great House - Distillery Edition 2025 special

Welcome to theGreat House - not just any house, but the legendary villa of the Hampden Estate Distillery. And like every good house, this one too has one thing: character. And plenty of it!

Since 1753, Hampden has been distilling uncompromisingly powerful Pure Single Rums in Jamaica's Trelawny region - the grand cru of rum - without any frills. Wild yeasts, dunder, sugar cane vinegar, and tropical aging ensure that nothing is ironed out here. And that's a good thing.

The Distillery Edition 2025 is the sixth installment in the Great House series – and, like every year, a new homage to the venerable walls within which rum history is written. The blend combines various Hampden Marques from different vintages – a bit like a family celebration where everyone gets along well, but each brings their own unique aroma.

In the glass, things get tropical and slightly crazy: fermented pineapple and a hint of varnish (yes, that's intentional) open the spectacle. Then ripe banana comes into play, along with a delicate veil of smoke, a hint of licorice, and finally: herbs, spices, and freshness like after a Caribbean rain shower.

At 57% ABV, the Great House 2025 is no lightweight—but it's one that knows how to behave. No sugar, no artificial colors, just honest, intense rum. Exactly as Hampden has been making it for centuries - and as it's celebrated worldwide by nerds, collectors, and connoisseurs alike.

Conclusion: A rum with rough edges and a lot of history – and a must-try for anyone who wants to know what Jamaican rum really tastes like. Great house, great stuff.

Origin: Trelawny, Jamaica
Base: Molasses, sugar cane vinegar, dunder, muck
Distillation: Double Retort Pot Still
Cask Type: Bourbon
Not colored
Not sweetened

Tasting Notes: This is how the Hampden Great House - Distillery Edition 2025 tastes like

• Nose: Dense, powerful, and complex. The initial aromas of intense fermented pineapple, vanilla, and candied ginger emerge. A subtle lacquer tone adds complexity and underscores the distinctive character of this Jamaican rum.
• Palate: Full-bodied and intense. Ripe banana dominates the entry, accompanied by smoky notes, licorice, and a hint of dried chili. The texture is powerful, yet clear and structured - an expressive rum with depth.
• Finish: Long, balanced, and complex. Fine wood notes meet gentle spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon. A fresh hint of camphor rounds out the profile and provides an elegant, complex finish.