Velier Hampden Pure Single Jamaican Rum LROK 2010

This is a single-distillery Hampden from Velier, carrying the LROK marque, one of the lighter codes in the Trelawny house's range and built on long fermentation and double-retort pot stills. Distilled in 2010 and aged eleven years, it qualifies as Pure Single Jamaican Rum, made entirely on pot stills at one distillery, with no sugar or colouring added in the Velier manner.

LROK sits toward the more restrained end of Hampden's ester spectrum, so the funk here is fruity rather than ferocious, ripe tropical fruit, pineapple and the signature glue-and-varnish lift over brown sugar, vanilla and spicy oak. Bottled at a reduced 47% rather than full proof, it is softer and more approachable than the cask strength Hampdens, an easy sipper or characterful mixer that still wears its origin clearly. A good way into the distillery for drinkers who want maturity and fruit without overwhelming intensity.