Velier Hampden Pagos Sherry 2023 2023 52%

"I prefer the Pagos 2023 over the last years edition! This has more „Hampden“ power and the Sherry barrel is integrated much better (due the change of the barrels… maybe?) and the sherry stays more in the background like a faithful campanion and fit perfect with the Hampden flavours. Grilled pineapple meets sour cherries overwhelmed by esters 🤤🥃 The alcohol is very present, i would say typical for a young Hampden."

"Significantly better than its predecessor. Less barrel influence and simply more Hampden. I quite like it. The typical HD markers (annas, papaya mango) are relatively well received here. Despite the reduced alcohol content, it is not optimally integrated. Quite solid in the fast Mai Tai, although not a highlight."

"Edit again: Tried it again today as CubaLibre, where it doesn't work at all because of the sherry note. Here it comes into its own once again. Therefore corrected downwards Franconian Tasting Gang Tasted again. Definitely tastes better to me than its predecessor. The sherry influence is much less here, which makes it more pleasant for me to drink. From the first impression, less sherry influence than its predecessor. With the 52% a super easy sipper at a good price. But I will taste it again in more detail at my leisure."

"I preferred this second release much more! The sherry finish is much more present than in the first release and makes everything much more balanced and more intense as flavors! The complexity and persistence are greater than the first release!"

"Hampden Pagos is aged 100% exclusively in sherry olorosofade. Fits well in my taste 😋"

"From memory, more esters come through here compared to the first Pagos. Overall a nice sipper again. I don't find the sherry finish too dominant here, but it is of course noticeable. Certainly very suitable for introducing beginners to Hampden. Or for enjoyment in between. If it always has to be Hampden 😁🥃"

"The nose is rather unsettling and kind of metallic with overripe fruits and some vinegar. Some spices, vanilla and dried fruits are also there but the sourness I don’t really like. That said I was surprised by the sweet and complex body, ester mixed with dried fruits and different spices and caramel. The finish is quite balanced and makes up for the initial impression. Overall I like it even a bit more than the first release. // After some in an open bottle the initial sourness is almost vanished and you will find dried fruits, fruity esters, rum baking aroma, butter and some wood. Overall still a really nice drop."

"More subtle sherry influence than the predecessor. Really fun!"

"Wow, chez hampden on a clairement que du bon, et ce Pagos Sherry en est la preuve ! Des esters évidemment mais bien dosés, clairement bcp d’ananas bien mur, un peu de bois, quelques fruits rouges, bref; que du plaisir !"

"Addendum: A Hampden tasting, with Great House 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, plus the New Beginnings and both versions of the Pagos. The first Pagos is already sweeter and heavier on the nose, the 23 Pagos seems fresher. Overall, I like the 23 Pagos a little better, the sherry finish is more subtle."

"Well, Hampden meets sherry. That's what the label promises and that's exactly what it delivers - no more, no less. I'm not the biggest fan of sherry, but the combination works quite well here. Beyond that, however, it lacks a bit of complexity for more points."