Two rums bottled by The Colors of Rum in 2024, easy as that. We’re having a TDL 2009 (at all times setting excessive expectations) and a really, very younger Hampden 2023 (very similar to these sherry and madeira casks).
T.D.L. 14 yo 2009 (64,9%, The Colors of Rum ‘Up Spirits Membership’ 2024, bourbon cask #106, 259 btl.)
Nostril: sandalwood, oak polish, refined olive oil with hints of mango chutney within the background. Then cooling mint and whiffs of eucalyptus, extra citrus and orange cake. Pink grapefruit and bitter peach. A slight caramel / mud / wooden word too, which reminds us of Caroni.
Mouth: a variety of varnish, with the identical minty notes, menthol and eucalyptus. A beneficiant sprint of olive brine as properly. Now the everyday tropical fruitiness is noticeable (mango, pink grapefruit, gentle ardour fruit) but it surely’s maybe somewhat extra subdued than another sibling casks. The esters are fairly loud right here, with a sure woody word and an alcoholic edge that makes it barely rustic. Very lovely nonetheless.
End: fairly lengthy and estery, but it surely doesn’t maintain as much as the remainder when it comes to complexity. Nonetheless loads of mint and menthol with youngish wooden.
Reminder: most of those TDLs are excellent, however solely particular casks present these exceptionally shiny, tropical fruits. Precisely why some bottlers received’t disclose their cask numbers lately. However once more, excellent rum. ‘Ask for availability’ says the web site of The Colors of Rum.
Hampden 9m 2023 HLCF (64,4%, The Colors of Rum for Rum Love Pageant 2024, new American oak cask #47, 142 btl.)
Nostril: heady and bitter. Loads of esters with a dry trace of varnish and chiffon leather-based that goes alongside. Hints of recent plastics and brake mud. A whiff of acetone and glue, inexperienced olives, unripe pears. Then somewhat citrus, dried herbs and a few pickled gherkins.
Mouth: briney and lemony, with extra acetone, unripe pineapple and glue. Then hints of clove and camphor, in addition to liquorice. A bit on the sharp facet, however properly to the purpose, with a variety of the attribute Hampden markers, even at such a younger age.
End: medium to lengthy, with extra olives, salty liquorice and pickle juice.
They’ve carried out quite a lot of very younger Hampdens up to now few months and this one is solely excellent. Examine Colors of Rum. Rating: 87/100
