Velier Hampden Pagos Sherry (Batch 2) 2023

Hampden is the reference point for Jamaican high ester funk, built on wild fermentation, dunder, muck pits and double retort pot stills at its Trelawny estate. This Pagos release pairs that estate character with sherry wood, bottled by Velier, the additive free house behind the Pure Single Rum movement, at 52 percent with no added sugar.

The sherry cask is the second batch of this expression and is judged to sit in better balance with the rum than before, letting the Hampden markers stay in the foreground. The nose is ester, tropical fruit, sherry and pineapple, the palate brings tropical fruit, ester and a sherry led richness with wood, and the finish carries ester, sherry, pineapple and sour cherry. Ripe ester funk meets dark fruit and nuts in a way that stays characterful without turning heavy. A rewarding pour for drinkers who already enjoy Hampden and want to see how it behaves in sherry wood.