Ever since its inaugural release in 2019, the Hampden Great House has been a highly anticipated annual release. It perennially features a select blend of different marks and vintages, which is decided upon for each year's release.

For the 2023 edition, it is stated that its "flavour and aroma palette is particularly mineral and demonstrates the same intensely empyreumatic character as the 2022 edition, which was for its part much more medicinal".

| Full Review: Hampden Great House 2023

Official Tasting Notes

Colour

Deep Golden Yellow

Aroma

Both refined and heady. The first nose reveals incredibly distinguished aromas of cane flower, cane sugar and vanilla. The oxidative aroma palette then offers notes of hydrocarbon, bourbon vanilla and exotic fruits (pineapple, banana).

Taste

Rich, powerful. Lively notes of camphor and vetiver precede flavours of clove that gradually envelop the taste buds. The unctuous mid-palate is deliciously vanilla, lemony, honeyed (acacia) and liquorice (stick).

Finish

Long, minimalist. Hot cane sugar pours across the palate. The rich after-taste is milky (coconut, almond) and subtly aniseedy. Ginger, Mirabelle plum and aromatic plants (wild thyme, sage) draw out the tasting.

While the blend is not yet known for the Hampden Great House 2023 Edition, what is known is that it is bottled at 57% ABV.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team