Two rums bottled by The Colours of Rum in 2024, simple as that. We’re having a TDL 2009 (always setting high expectations) and a very, very young Hampden 2023 (much like these sherry and madeira casks).
T.D.L. 14 yo 2009 (64,9%, The Colours of Rum ‘Up Spirits Club’ 2024, bourbon cask #106, 259 btl.)
Nose: sandalwood, oak polish, subtle olive oil with hints of mango chutney in the background. Then cooling mint and whiffs of eucalyptus, more citrus and orange cake. Pink grapefruit and sour peach. A slight caramel / mud / wood note too, which reminds us of Caroni.
Mouth: a lot of varnish, with the same minty notes, menthol and eucalyptus. A generous dash of olive brine as well. Now the typical tropical fruitiness is noticeable (mango, pink grapefruit, light passion fruit) but it’s perhaps a little more subdued than some other sibling casks. The esters are quite loud here, with a certain woody note and an alcoholic edge that makes it slightly rustic. Very beautiful nonetheless.
Finish: quite long and estery, but it doesn’t hold up to the rest in terms of complexity. Still plenty of mint and menthol with youngish wood.
Reminder: most of these TDLs are very good, but only specific casks show these exceptionally bright, tropical fruits. Exactly why some bottlers won’t disclose their cask numbers these days. But again, very good rum. ‘Ask for availability’ says the website of The Colours of Rum.
Hampden 9m 2023 HLCF (64,4%, The Colours of Rum for Rum Love Festival 2024, new American oak cask #47, 142 btl.)
Nose: heady and sour. Plenty of esters with a dry hint of varnish and chiffon leather that goes along. Hints of new plastics and brake dust. A whiff of acetone and glue, green olives, unripe pears. Then a little citrus, dried herbs and some pickled gherkins.
Mouth: briney and lemony, with more acetone, unripe pineapple and glue. Then hints of clove and camphor, as well as liquorice. A bit on the sharp side, but nicely to the point, with a lot of the characteristic Hampden markers, even at such a young age.
Finish: medium to long, with more olives, salty liquorice and pickle juice.
They’ve done a number of very young Hampdens in the past few months and this one is simply very good. Check Colours of Rum. Score: 87/100