Habitation Velier Hampden Spirits in the sky HGML 2017

First impression: chemicals and solvents, a bit rough around the edges. Improves as it sits in the glass. Alcohol integration not that bad, but delivers quite a punch. Edit: compared to RX328 & RX16253 Most remarkable nose with some smokiness (is that bacon?). Esters are far more present on the palate and a little burn. Very nice. Bottlekill 15/04/24 The oxidation made it a bit more mellow. Very lovely fruity esters. Alcohol still present, but much less compared to the first tasting. Bumped it up with 0,3 points, because I find it excellent at this moment.

Eine Nase, die gleichzeitig explosiv und ausgewogen ist. Butter, fermentierte Früchte, verbranntes Karamell und ein leichter Essigstich. Ziemlich wenig Funk außer in der allerersten Nase, die absolut explosiv ist. Die Ester sind hier sehr flüchtig und dieser Rum wird deutlich milder, wenn man mit dem Trinken des Glases wartet. Der Mund ist komplex, aber nicht ganz klar. Neben der Essigsäure, die in der Nase zu spüren ist, nehmen die fermentierten Seiten diesem trotz allem sehr interessanten und angenehmen Rum etwas von seiner Attraktivität. Der Abgang ist lang und ausgewogen.

Intense and fibrant on the nose. Rather young and rough until it sits for quite some time in the glas. Does not hide its ester content at all , but develops a nice rich HGML fruitiness over time. I also get a rich sensation of BBQ/Chipotle spices on the nose, which is surprising but gives an interesting twist in my mind. Very nice and fruity on the palate. Some roasted notes and quite a bit sweetness. Very good. Not quite on par with the HV 2010 HGML, but not too far off. Also ahead of the 2010 12y single cask imo.

Another excellent HGML bottling... I like this Mark... buttery sour on the nose with marzipan and esters. The palate is funky intense and full of power... this is how a Hampden should be. The finish is just as intense and long

#4765 07.07.2024 Entspannen Sie sich zu Hause mit ein paar Proben. Geruch Leichtes Holz, Ananas, Orange, überreif, leicht blumig, Gewürz, leichte Kräuter, leichter Anis. Geschmack Rund, ausgewogen, leichtes Holz, Ananas, Banane, überreife Früchte, leichte Oliven, leichtes Salz, leichter Teer, leichte Lakritze. Abgang Lang und warm, leichtes Holz, fruchtig, leichte Ananas, leichte Orange, Gewürze. Im leeren Glas sind leichte Schokoladen-, Röst- und leichte Pflanzennoten zu erkennen.

Two attributes stand out on the nose: overripe pineapple and a smell like rancid butter. Behind that I find lemon balm, barrel influence and a little iodine. It's already off to a great start! The palate is then really wild: the barrel is clearly noticeable, overripe pineapple anyway, sweet notes of marzipan, yoghurt towards the finish, then slightly bitter and slightly salty, iodine and a medicinal note also reappears. In my opinion, the alcohol provides just the right boost. The salty note accompanies me far into the long finish and evokes an association with green olives. Unfortunately, I have nothing more of the Hampden Great House 2020 to compare. I remember the GH 2020 as being very similar, but this one is much more intense and multi-faceted. This Hampden is not for beginners and delivers a youthful, wild ride through the distillery's wide spectrum of flavors, excellent!

Really intense and spicy. Candy bacon, taggiasche olives, brioche with salted cucumber butter. Very thick, heavy, intense. Not too extreme or too demanding but still challenging and exciting. Surprisingly great bottling!

Lots of typical Hampden aromas, which would be promising if it weren't for the very present acidity, which is already above the rest of the profile on the nose. This acidity remains dominant on the palate, which in my opinion significantly unbalances the overall profile.

Tasted against the top dog HV 2010 HGML On the nose, the Spirits is clearly more acidic and the HV has a great pineapple-marzipan sweetness. On the other hand, the Spirits in the Sky scores with a meaty/grilled note that comes out of the background after a while, which you would otherwise expect from an LP. Great bottling, but doesn't quite match the feel good factor of the HV ...

Im direkten Vergleich mit dem deutlich jüngeren HGML von TWJ für TastToe ist die Nase hier deutlich fruchtiger, reifer, mit mehr Fasseinfluss. Auch am Gaumen ist er einfach erwachsener, runder, mit mehr würzigen Aromen und Fruchtnoten.

Wow, was ein ungewöhnlicher Hampden. Zwar kann man auch hier die typischen Aromen wahrnehmeny es gesellt sich aber auch ein rauchig fleischiges Aroma dazu. Das habe ich bei einem Hampden so noch nie gehabt. Klasse Fassauswahl von The Nectar

Great young single cask that shows why Hampden is at the top of the list. Alcohol perfectly integrated.

Richtig guter Hampden! Etwas adstringierend, aber richtig gut!

An excellent Hampden HGML. Great nose, just as you would expect from a rum with such a high ester content. Really outstanding palate, one of the most interesting Hampden released in 2023. I regret not buying a bottle....

What can I say, except that for its age it is excellent, with all the usual markers of the great Hampden ! Butter, fruit and esters are all there !!! What a treat, I love this Mark 😍😍 Let it rest and breathe in the glass so that it matures ♥️ Big favorite ❤️