Hampden Pagos - 100% ex-sherry cask
pagos is the marriage between a unique and rich rum and the best sherry cask with a congeners content of 1.603 gr/hlpa of which 394 gr/hlpa are esters.
bottled 2022 - 52%

whiskyfun: 88
rumratings: 8,8/10

Hampden Estate 'Pagos' (52%, OB for LMDW and Velier, Jamaica, sherry, 2022)
Pot stills, NAS, butts, PX and oloroso, where else did we spot that already? Doesn't the world of 'aged' (sometimes barely) spirits get globalised? And what's the proper price for NAS? Colour: deep gold. Nose: Hampden, at least this one, is much more acetic (not ascetic) and varnishy than WP. Huge brine, glues, nail polish remover, olives and capers. I wouldn't swear poor PX does come through, but that's good news in my book. With water: new magazines and books, touch of juniper and caraway, green walnuts, nocino… Mouth (neat): high and heavy, with a lot of acetone, even a feeling of ammonia, liquorice, grass extract (more and more chefs are using that), salty cough syrup, eucalyptus… Frankly, I'd have said Yarmouth. With water: superb salty and varnishy development, all with green walnuts that keep it really tight and dry. Finish: very long, salty, with sardines, anchovies and olives. Comments: I find it absolutely excellent, but the WPs were rather more complex (especially the Picnic). Now, there isn't only complexity in life, naturally. Very good Hampden.
SGP:464 - 88 points.