HAMPDEN LROK 2010 10 YEARS OLD 62,2% VELIER - BLACK BILLED STREAMERTAIL SINGLE CASK #502 | WHISKY ANTIQUE

The Hampden LROK 2010 10 Years Old 62.2% Velier - Black Billed Streamertail Single Cask #502 offers a rare and unique opportunity to experience the rich and deep flavors characteristic of premium Jamaican rum. This exceptional release combines the historical prowess of Hampden, one of Jamaica's oldest and most respected distilleries, with the expertise of Velier, an independent bottler renowned for its handpicked selection of spirits.

Hampden Distillery has been synonymous with high-quality rum production since its establishment in the mid-18th century. Located in the Trelawny Parish, an area once dominated by sugar estates and now known for its strong rum-making heritage, Hampden continues to be celebrated for maintaining traditional production methods. This includes the exclusive use of wild, natural fermentation and distillation in copper pot stills, which ensures a product rich in aromatic esters and distinctive flavors.

The LROK (Light Rum Owen Kelly) mark signifies a specific ester range in the production of Hampden rums, offering a lighter, yet distinctly flavorful profile compared to their heavier counterparts. These rums are renowned for their intense fruitiness and complexity, which are enhanced by the tropical aging process.

Velier, the independent bottler for this remarkable single cask, is famed for its meticulous curation of spirits. Founded in 1947 by Casimiro Chaix in Genoa, Italy, Velier has garnered a stellar reputation under the later leadership of Luca Gargano, whose passion for authenticity and quality has seen the company rise to prominence in the spirits community. Known for bottling unadulterated, high proof, and non-chill-filtered spirits, Velier aims to present rum in its most authentic form, as this Hampden bottling proudly demonstrates.

The rum in question is distilled from molasses, crafted using a pot still, and it has matured for 10 years entirely in the tropical climate of Jamaica. Tropical aging accelerates the interaction between the wood and the spirit, intensifying the maturation process and imparting deep, bold flavors that are the hallmark of Hampden's rums. This particular cask, number 502, yielded only 244 bottles, making it a highly sought-after collector's item.

Bottled at an impressive cask strength of 62.2%, the intensity of the rum’s flavors and aromas is unparalleled, offering a robust palate of tropical fruits, spice, and the distinctive funk well-known to aficionados of Jamaican rum. Moreover, the potency of the alcohol is deftly balanced with the complexity and depth of the flavors that develop through its decade-long maturation in the unforgiving Caribbean heat.

The label features an illustration of the Black-billed Streamertail, also known as the 'Scissors Tail Hummingbird', which is native to Jamaica and represents the uniqueness and natural beauty of the island. This ties back to both the conservation ethos and the celebration of Jamaican heritage that Hampden promotes through its rums.

This release is not just a drink; it's a journey through the history and culture of Jamaican rum making. Perfect for collectors and enthusiasts alike, the Hampden LROK 2010 10 Years Old from cask #502 is a testament to the rich, flavorful, and powerful spirit that the island is known for. It invites connoisseurs to savor a moment of excellence that captures the quintessence of Hampden’s celebrated rum-making tradition.