Quarter Deck - Hampden 12 Year Old Jamaican Rum 2009 50.8% 70cl is a vibrant and flavorful expression from the renowned Hampden Estate in Jamaica. Aged for 12 years, this rum offers a bold and complex profile, showcasing the unique characteristics of traditional Jamaican rum-making. The nose bursts with tropical fruit aromas, including ripe bananas, mangoes, and pineapple, complemented by a touch of earthy molasses and spicy oak. On the palate, it delivers rich flavors of caramel, dark sugar, and dried fruit, with a distinctive funky edge typical of Hampden rums, balanced by a mild smokiness. The finish is long and warming, with a sweet spice and a touch of dark fruit lingering on the tongue. This rum is an exceptional choice for those who enjoy full-bodied, flavorful rums with a strong, authentic Jamaican character.

Tasting Profile

• Nose: Wood polish, tomato juice, nduja sausage, ginger, and parsley
• Palate: Salty meat, charred oak, pine needles, white pepper, and oregano
• Finish: Rich and spicy with lingering esters and a touch of funk

Production Details

• Distillation method: Distilled in pot stills
• Cask type(s):
  • Aged in oak casks (likely ex-bourbon, typical for Hampden)
• Special processes:
  • Distilled in 2009 at Hampden Distillery, bottled in 2022
  • Aged 12 years in a single cask, yielding 335 bottles
  • Bottled at cask strength (50.8% ABV), no artificial colors or flavors
  • Crafted from molasses with natural fermentation

Perfect For

• Rum aficionados craving high-ester Jamaican funk
• Sipping neat to explore its bold, pungent character
• Pairing with spicy jerk chicken or dark chocolate
• Gifting as a rare single cask from a legendary distillery
• Diving into the wild side of rum with DOK-style esters

Expert Notes

• Selected by Duncan Taylor for their Quarter Deck single cask series
• Hampden’s DOK mark delivers intense esters (1300-1600 g/hLAA)
• Aged entirely in Jamaica’s tropical climate for accelerated maturation
• Showcases the distillery’s signature long fermentation and dunder use
• A funky, robust rum that balances fruit, spice, and wood

Customer Reviews

• “Funky and bold—pure Hampden magic!” – Tom R. ★★★★★
• “Spicy with a wild edge; not for the faint-hearted.” – Lena K. ★★★★☆
• “Rich and complex—great intro to DOK!” – Sam P. ★★★★☆

Interesting Facts

• Hampden, founded in 1753, is a pioneer of high-ester Jamaican rum
• DOK mark is among the highest ester counts, used for flavor intensity
• Quarter Deck series highlights Duncan Taylor’s rare rum picks
• Only 335 bottles from this cask, a true limited edition
• Bottled by Scotland’s Duncan Taylor from Jamaica’s last Hampden stocks

Serving Suggestions

• Sip neat to embrace its full cask-strength power
• Add a drop of water to tame the funk and lift fruit notes
• Pair with roasted nuts, smoked meats, or pineapple upside-down cake
• Serve in a Glencairn glass to capture its wild aromas
• Try in a funky Daiquiri for a bold cocktail twist

Distillery

• Hampden Distillery, established in 1753, sits in Trelawny, Jamaica
• Known for long ferments, dunder, and muck pits since the 18th century
• Bought by the Hussey family in 2009, reviving its rum legacy
• Produces heavy, high-ester rums with pot still tradition
• Bottled by Duncan Taylor, a Scottish indie preserving rare spirits