We're now about to enter the third edition of Hampden's Sherry experiment - full tropical ageing in Sherry casks - and so far we've already seen some interesting results.

In the first edition that debuted in 2022, we saw the mixed use of PX and Oloroso Sherry, however Velier had mentioned the desire to focus more on Oloroso Sherry as opposed to PX Sherry.

We've thus seen that with Hampden's use of Oloroso Sherry casks from Andalucia, Spain's Bodegas Fundador - and it seems that Hampden will continue on ensuite with this direction - the 2024 Pagos Third Edition appears to following the same use of Oloroso Sherry casks from Bodegas Fundador.

The key difference therefore (potentially with more age, however this has not been explicitly stated) can be confirmed with the difference in ester count, with the 2023 Pagos Second Edition clocking in at 2,304.2 gr/hlpa of congeners with 467.9 gr/hlpa of which being esters. With what looks to be the 2024 Hampden Pagos Third Edition, we're seeing 1,726.6 gr/hlpa of congeners of which 374.1 gr/hlpa are esters. Everything else seems to have remained constant, with even the same 500-liter Sherry butts used - and thus the main difference here might well be to do with the additional 1 year of ageing.

The Hampden Pagos name is taken to refer to the "Cru" classification in Jerez, Spain, where Sherry is popularly produced.

It was elaborated that through Velier’s role as distributor of Lustau’s Sherry (Bodegas Lustau is one of the most well-known Sherry producers), Velier chief Luca Gargano, was able to secure 40 Sherry casks (PX and Oloroso). 20 of these casks went into producing the first iteration of the Hampden Pagos, while the other half went into maturing the Haitian Clairins.

The hope here was to combine the intense Sherry flavours with the equally intense funky Hampden flavours - known for its overripe bananas, olive brine and rancio notes. All this under the intense tropical climate would hopefully produce something remarkable.

With the Hampden Pagos 2024 Third Edition, we're getting the same proof of 52% ABV.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team