Hampden Estate
- Idris, Your Personal Purser
- Aug 22
- 5 min read
Attention me Hearties !
In this blog post, we're going to spotlight an iconic brand: Hampden Estate.
Hampden Estate has actually been around since 1684, but its production facility dates back to 1753. The distillery is located in Trelawny, Jamaica, and is known for its highly flavorful pot still Rums. Within the world of high esters, I believe they fall into the more accessible Rums that are clearly Jamaican Rums, yet don't boast any overpowering flavors. They always undergo a certain degree of refinement, resulting in bottles that will appeal to many Rum lovers. With the occasional exception, of course. I'd like to introduce you to a few here, but first, a bit of theory.
High ester
What does "high ester" actually mean? High ester refers to a higher-than-normal level of esters. Esters are volatile substances that primarily determine the aroma of something. You can find them in perfumes, but also in Rum. In many cases, esters are created by the interaction between the still and the alcohol. Therefore, you will always find a certain amount of esters in distillates. In the case of high ester, a few additional layers are added on top, and this already begins during fermentation. The fermentation of the molasses or sugarcane juice takes longer than usual. While two days to a week is considered the norm, fermentations for high ester often take several weeks. In some cases, even with the help of dunder, a residue from the previous distillation, or muck, a separate fermentation in open pits. The use of mostly wild yeasts aids this process. The use of pot stills made entirely of copper enhances this. The end result produces more esters than usual, and that amount is expressed in grams per hectoliter of pure alcohol (gr/hlpa).
In the past, people often referred to "Funky" rum because high esters were often perceived as smelly by those unfamiliar with the concept. The perceived odor varies, depending on the person, from floral to fruity, rotten fruit, to fuel and burnt rubber. These Rums are therefore very personal in both aroma and flavor. Today, the term "Funky" is gradually disappearing as an umbrella term, and, just as in Jamaica, we also speak of high esters here. However, descriptions of the aroma still often include the word "funk."
Marques
Many high-ester Rums, as well as others, are characterized by "marques," sometimes also written as "marks." In Jamaica, these marques are represented by both letters and symbols. They are often named after the distillery, a famous person, or the production method. Each mark provides insight into the production method and the number of esters. Knowing these marques makes it much easier for Rum lovers to navigate the wide range of options. A comprehensive overview of these marques can be found here, among other places.
The marques of Hampden Estate are as follows:
OWH: Outram W. Hussey = 40-80 gr/HLPA
LFCH: Lawrence Francis Close Hussey = 85-120 gr/HLPA
LROK: Light Rum Owen Kelly = 200-400 gr/HLPA
HLCF: Hampden Light Continental Flavoured = 400-600 gr/HLPA
<>H: Diamond H = 900-1000 gr/HLPA
HGML: Hampden George MacFarquhar Lawson = 1 100-1 200 gr/HLPA
C<>H: C Diamond H = 1300-1400 gr/HLPA
DOK: Dermot Owen Kelly = 1500-1600 gr/HLPA
The Rums
Hampden 1753
Named after its official launch year, this rum is designed to appeal to both newcomers and veterans, and it succeeds admirably. The reason: this Rum embodies everything that makes a Jamaica Rum so delicious, without going to extremes. Let's take a look at the details.
As always, this Rum features a long fermentation with wild yeast, distilled using a double retort pot still, with no additives. It's branded Hampden Light Continental Flavored, with an ester content of 476.9 g/hlpa. This gives it a very distinct funk with plenty of complexity. Expect base notes of banana, pineapple, and sugar cane.
Hampden doesn't usually opt for long maturations, and so it doesn't here either. Just three years of tropical maturation in ex-bourbon casks, diluted with spring water, gives this Rum the perfect balance. The very fruity notes are enhanced by vanilla and spice. Not too brusque for newcomers, but distinct enough to please connoisseurs as well.
Hamden Great House Distillery Edition
The name "Great House" refers to the iconic building on the packaging. These rums are matured in the cellars of the Hampden Estate's Great House, a building that has served almost continuously for aging Rum since 1779. These versions are known for their pleasant character with just the right amount of funk. This 2024 version is a blend of several brands from three different years, distilled using the renowned Double Retort Pot still. The aging is 100% tropical and in ex-Bourbon casks. Bottling takes place at 57% ABV, also known as Navy Strength.
Great House versions of Hampden have become true collector's items, but as with any Rum, we recommend opening a bottle. These Rums are too good not to enjoy.
Hamden Pagos
Hampden Pagos is an annual Rum from Hampden Estate. The batch 3 edition has an HLCF mark of 374.1g/HLPA. What makes Pagos unique is that this Rum is matured exclusively in high-quality 500-liter sherry casks from Bodegas Fundador Sherry. This gives this Rum a unique fruity and slightly spicy profile that lingers.
Warehouse#1 Overproof Rum John Crow Edition DOK
This independent bottling contains a DOK marque Rum, named after Dermot Owen Kelly-Lawson, who became the owner of Hampden Estate in 1827. DOK is the highest in the series in terms of ester count, at 1500-1600 gr/HLPA, and is therefore not an easy Rum to drink if you are not experienced with high ester levels.
This Warehouse #1 DOK has therefore been nicknamed "John Crow." John Crow is Jamaican Patois for vulture, and to drink this Rum, you need a stomach like a vulture. Since it is unaged, you get a very good idea of how these Rums taste before they are aged.
Hampden 8 Marks 1 year
This is a must-have for anyone who truly wants to get to know Hampden Estate Rum.
This set contains eight 20cl bottles containing the eight different Marques. Each Marque has been aged for one year in Bourbon barrels, making it easy to compare the different flavors. This set offers a unique insight into how esters influence flavor evolution and how fermentation makes all the difference.
The set also includes extensive documentation to help you on your exploration.
Conclusion
For many people, the world of Jamaica Rum, and especially its high-ester versions, is a gray area. They've heard of it, but haven't tried it yet. Those who are currently exploring higher ester levels can sometimes be confronted with the reality: high-ester Rum isn't the most accessible. However, it's a style that allows for enormous variety and, above all, offers a very personal experience. If you're looking to take your first steps into this world, it's best to seek proper guidance. A gentle approach with the right Rums will allow you to fully experience this wonderful world and discover even more unique Rums. Hampden Estate is a brand that lends itself perfectly to this.
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