It's been over a year since Velier's chief Luca Gargano unveiled big plans to integrate the use of Sherry casks with Hampden's intensely funky spirit - this culminated in the Hampden Pagos range. So we best be prepared for more where that came from!

That said, we're now seeing a new 3 Year Old HLCF mark single cask expression that has been aged in a Lustau Oloroso Sherry cask, specially bottled for Whisky Live Paris 2023.

The new Hampden expression features an ester count of 400-600 g/hLPA.

Official Tasting Notes

Aroma

Ethereal yet heady. Rubber, cane sugar, grilled walnut and rancio notes take over the nose. Allowed to breathe, fragrances of polished wood, beeswax and camphor add an empyreumatic touch. Cocoa powder and nutmeg gradually cover the aroma palette.

Taste

Powerful, lively. The attack is characterized by persistent flavours of gum arabic, diesel and ripe fruits. The exotic mid-palate (pineapple, banana, kaffir lime) also evokes balms and ointment. The end of the palate is creamy, syrupy and rooty (gentian).

Finish

Long, concentrated. A summary of the nose and palate, the finish reveals notes of Corinthian raisins, date and grilled chestnut bestowed by the Oloroso’s influence. Flavours of hot cane sugar and hydrocarbon take us bounding to the island of Jamaica. Outstanding!

The new Whisky Live Paris 2023 Hampden HLCF 3 Year Old Lustau Single Cask is bottled at 63.5% ABV, with a total of 642 bottles released.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team