While Hampden has a long history, sherry casks are a new thing for the distillery. We’ve had some examples from The Colours of Rum and of course there was the official Hampden Pagos.
Today’s we’re looking at a single cask release exclusive to The Whisky Exchange. It’s a mid-range HLCF spirit and the cask comes from Bodegas Fundador.
Fundador is a well-known brand from the legendary Bodegas Domecq, but the company doesn’t make sherry wine any more, they are focusing on sherry brandy. For this of course they need sherry casks themselves, which they find within their own group. Fundador is part of the Philippine group Emperador which also owns Harveys, well known for its Bristol Cream sherry and some high-quality VORS wines.
Hampden 2023 HLCF (64,6%, OB for The Whisky Exchange 2025, Fundador sherry cask #A3, 764 btl.)
Nose: funky overripe pineapple and banana notes, in a very vivid way. Also pear. Really fruity, with all the expected Hampden notes. Think green olives and capers, varnishes and acetone, ink and salt. Then also new wellies, fresh grass and mild hints of glue. There’s a very light toffee note in the background, but other than that the sherry is anecdotal.
Mouth: less fruity now, but offering impeccable sharpness. Salty and tarry notes up front, with some acetone again. Then very ripe brown bananas, salted liquorice, almost ammonia, lime juice and more glue as well. Some grassy bitterness and grapefruit peel towards the end. More olives, Seville oranges, brine, clove oil and hints of peppermint. Very light toffee again.
Finish: long, resinous and salty, with plenty of herbaceous notes, oak char and bittersweet notes.
Don’t expect anything like Hampden Pagos for instance – the sherry stays in the background. Not a bad thing, mind you, the rich fruitiness and the sheer power is absolutely spectacular for a 2 year old rum. The only downside perhaps is the fact that the Fundador provenance doesn’t really set it apart. Exclusively available from The Whisky Exchange.