Velier Hampden Pagos Sherry (Batch 2) 2023

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.

Edit: I've now tasted all three Velier Hampden Pagos from 2022, 2023 and 2024 in parallel. The differences are then rather negligible and for me the conclusion remains that they are all very sherry-heavy, one more and the other less. Basically solid, but also interchangeable. Another edit: 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.

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.

Less Sherry-Heavy than the 2022 version on the nose. I assume here Hampden leaned more towards Olorosso versus PX for the older version - just my guess, however. Same impression on the palate. HLCF profile is still present while the sherry influence is quite strong.

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!

Still a little too much sherry for a Hampden for me. But a nice relaxed sipper with a good PLV. Significantly less sherry influence in the second tasting. Great summer rum.

8,8:On the nose, the 52% gives it a sort of firm and easy elegance that isn’t out to wreak havoc on your sinuse. It is funky all the way and the initial aromas are of a musky, winey, almost tawny old port. It’s chock full of baking spices like cinnamon, cloves, a touch of nutmeg; it channels a soft line of olive oil and saline, before blooming into all sorts of additional stuff that shows off the funk: pineapples, mangoes, oranges and apples that are too ripe, plus florals, acetones and even some crushed hazelnuts and pistachios. There’s a lot to unpack here for anyone who takes their time with it. 9:On the palate is somewhat less forward. It’s lightly floral, and provides tastes of a patchouli air freshener and laundry detergent, cinnamon and cloves again, creamed rice, funky and fruity, with an on and off bite that’s fun to experience. Then comes out intense marzipan!There’s somewhat more nuttiness here, but also more tart fruits: passion fruit, cherries, mangoes, strawberries and some yoghurt. I like the sense of dusty spices that hung around, and while not overly sweet, the rum does have a sugary, liqueur-y background to it that works well with the caramel, vanilla and bananas you end up with. 9:The finish is pretty fine too – solid, long, not obnoxious – it doesn’t flaunt a bunch of esters, just quietly dials everything down so that instead of getting one thing after another, it’s like one thing after another is subtracted, until all you’re left with is some flambeed bananas, oranges, nuts, unsweetened chocolate and wine. Edit:23.8.25

#4403 21.10.2023 Whisky Live 2023 Almost forgot this one 😊

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

It is also confirmed here.... Sherry finish and I won't be friends. The rum is pleasing and round, but for me personally it's too sherry-heavy and the actual rum feeling is lost too much

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 😁🥃

This little shit seduces with a multi-faceted bouquet of dried fruit, honey, vanilla and fine spices. Fresh, sherry-plum nuances unfold on the palate, ending in a round, creamy finish!!! Pleasant!

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.

Slightly less sherry influence than the predecessor, thus more room for the rum - very nice drinking rum.

More subtle sherry influence than the predecessor. Really fun!