For a rather small island, Singapore has a pretty reliable roster of top notch bars - heck, 11 of the Asia's Top 50 Best Bars call the little red dot its home, the most of any other country in the region - and so you can expect a steady supply of bars to join those ranks every year. That is all to say, if you were going to open a bar, Singapore's definitely a top contender for making a name for yourself. But be warned, it's tough out there.

And yet, even in this highly competitive arena, it is possible to stand out - one such bar, located along the peripheries of the central business district, is definitely making a splash right out of the gate. Call her Madame.

A rum collection to stun even the most hardcore of rum lovers - even Hampden had to repost a photo of this shelf. And if rum isn't you thing, check out that Bourbon collection. I'm told more is to follow with whiskies and wines of similar brass and stature joining the fray.

Founded by rum aficionados Nicholas J. and Aude M., the duo sport an enviable track record of experience in the fine spirits scene, having worked with some of the most influential venues. They're well known and well loved by the community and so as expected, the anticipation is on. These folks know what they're doing.

Don't believe me?

To commemorate their opening, Jamaica's most popular rum distillery, Hampden, has even bottled a single bottle for the event (personally blended by La Maison & Velier's Export Manager, Daniele Biondi - who also happens to be incredibly charming and an all around rum geek and resident Mr Smiles). To emphasise, it's not a single cask, it's a single bottle - that's the real 1-of-1 deal right there. 

And just to further tease the multitudes of Hampden lovers out there - this is a 100% ex-Sherry Cask matured blend of LROK 2020, LFCH 2021 and <>H 2021 marks and respective vintages. Folks in attendance for the pre-opening have dubbed it the singular Hampden Pagos 2.5, following in a line of Sherry cask aged Hampden rums which Velier chief Luca Gargano has touted as the next evolution for the Jamaican superstar. It's bottled at a satisfyingly beefy 56.7% ABV - so really, there's not much you can say other than to acknowledge the single bottling's stellar credentials. 

So without further ado, let's see what the Madame has to offer. Let's go!

Rum Review: Hampden 'Madame' 100% Ex-Sherry Cask Single Bottle; LROK 2020, LFCH 2021, <>H 2021 Blended Together; For The Pre-Opening Event Madame Singapore, 56.7% ABV

Tasting Notes

Colour: Honey

Aroma: Immediately wafts of green bananas, sliced black olives just taken from the brine, and at the same time the classic Hampden funk finds itself layered atop a bed of rich honey. There's a couple of dabs of tar. It's funky yet rich, feels whole and at the same time layered - a real full stack bouquet - it's neither fiery nor high toned, it's giving olive tapenade with a side of thick honey. With time that initial veil peels away to open up to more on pineapple chunks soaked in pineapple cordial, along with more tinned fruit syrup of lychees and peaches. Finally it balances out to some of that earlier green bananas and lacquered wood. 

Taste: Lots of honey, maltose candy, all very rich, and only slightly honeyed sweet, but quite quickly it turns towards an incredibly focused and refined stream of umami savouriness of dried mushrooms, bonito flakes, led by this concentrated Sherry sweetness. Good structure, really cohesive, vibrant, and taut. The black olive tapenade and overripe bananas stage a comeback. It's an intense mix of sweetness, umami and savouriness. It's also got this really fresh quality about it that's very delightful. It's not sharp, nor fiery, but with a good intensity that's bold and very expressive. Into the finish there's a hit of fresh lychees on the vine as well.

Finish: How surprising! Here we're getting milk coffee with shavings of cacao husk and some hazelnut ganache crunch. It's rich and earthy, and at the same time almost gritty, the way you think about dark chocolate shavings. More of that fresh sherry sweetness and umami savouriness, so energetic it just goes on forever! Ever so slight on the rancio, before the classic Hampden funk begins to re-emerge with green bananas and black olives, and drops of tar. Finally somemore earthiness in the form of tobacco leaves, dried brown leaves and autumnal forest floors. Finishes cleanly, with not much in the way of dryness.

My Thoughts

A very intriguing Hampden blend to say the least - it's tugging on flavour profiles that I've found not in Hampden but from some well-aged Demerara's and also more modern Trinidadian stock - I've not yet come across a Hampden rum that's giving milk coffee earthiness and tinned tropical fruits! 

And at the same time there's so much complexity and all very well-integrated and fresh I should say. It's got good structure and detail - you could easily spot the Hampden funk where the green bananas and black olives are concerned, and then of course the character of the Sherry cask which brought about the fresh sweetness and savoury umaminess.

It was harmonious and entertaining, and very impressively delivered at just the right level of intensity and balance that allows it to be expressive yet without the overly high toned acetone notes that was rather popular for awhile. Here the funk is prominent but well-applied, showing a good amount of restraint where it's flavourful and indicative of its provenance but at the same time does not become unapproachable or overly funky. It's also given a good amount of richness of honey to back it up.

This was a really impressive blend to say the least - very enjoyable, everything came together very well, balanced with no component overpowering, entertaining, layered, flavourful, and somehow for a rum that we're all so versed with, somehow finding a way to surprise in the best way with flavours we have yet to see from Hampden.

Oh and congratulations on the launch Madame - it's been a long time coming, and we wish you all the very best! 

Finding Madame

Address: 69 Tras Street, Singapore 079005

Instagram: @barmadame_sg

Kanpai!

@111hotpot