Rhum, Jamaica

With an ester content between 1,500 and 1,600 grams per hectolitre of pure alcohol, this extraordinarily intense expression embodies the most extreme style among Hampden’s marks: DOK (Dermot Owen Kelly-Lawson). A true sensory journey, its aromatic and flavour profile successively reveals all the facets of this outstanding “heavy pot still” rum. Both flamboyant and remarkably refined, it triumphantly explores tropical, heady, medicinal and mineral realms where restraint simply does not exist.

Nose : Rich, heady. Bursting aromas of burnt rubber, flambéed banana, roasted pineapple, vetiver, iris concrete and camphor initially battle for dominance. This thunderous opening gradually gives way to more jammy (apple, mirabelle), honeyed (acacia), vanilla and liquorice-like notes.

Appearance : Deep golden yellow.

Palate : Smooth, silky. In sharp contrast with the nose, the palate reveals tangy notes (lemon, grapefruit), grassy tones (cut hay, alfalfa) and a powdery texture (grated ginger). Then, shifting towards more mineral (charcoal, petrol) and medicinal (tiger balm) accents, it steadily comes back to the core essence of sugarcane. A flavourful journey carried out with finesse and balance.

Overall : Lively, expressive. Echoing the citrus tones of the palate, it also unveils milky (coconut), vanilla and herbal infusions (chamomile, savory). In retro-olfaction, shavings of chocolate melt on the tongue, releasing a lovely sense of smoothness. The empty glass is medicinal (mustard seed) and fruity (yellow plum), with outstanding freshness.