Hampden is THE Rum Tour to take these days. Appleton is a good tour, but for the masses. Hampden is a very personal tour. I am thrilled at the quality of the tour and the quality of the rum.
It had been 20 plus years since I had toured Hampden. Before Government took it over, the Hussy family from Kingston had bought the plantation in 2011 and started restoring the rum business... and what a restoration they did.
Located, a few miles south of Falmouth in the middle of the Queen of Spain Valley, just the drive into the plantation is worth the effort. The last approach to the great house and factory is on this track between gigantic King Palms.
Fabulous!
This 150-year-old copper pot-still is on display in the car park. They are still making rum the old-fashioned way with copper.
If you look closely, you will notice that the peacock population loves it.
The peahens and peacocks who weren't sitting on the still, were not far away and greeted us as we passed by.
The tour begins in a building dating from the 1750s with a nice rum punch and a little familiarization of Jamaica, our location in it and the origins of Hampden Plantation itself. The rum punch is good and the information interesting.
After the orientation, we set off to see the factory.
It is still a working factory so hard hats are worn. Be sure to wear real shoes with covered toes, too.
Once inside the compound, all of the different factors that go into making this golden drink are explained in detail.
We see the working pot stills and the ageing barrels, ask questions as needed and generally get the idea of what it takes to make you a glass of rum. You will never feel the same about drinking rum again. We acquired a new respect for the libation and started looking forward to the chance to taste it later.
This 17th century building is where they allow the rum to gain its esters. An important factor in the process to make it more flavourful.
There are dozens of vats there, each holding about a 1000 gallons of potential rum.
After the factory tour, we had jerk chicken, or pork for lunch on the veranda of their beautiful great house.
The food was good and the ambience spectacular.
Back where we started and glad that they fed us first, it is time for the rum tasting.
Mr. Grant is in charge of this phase of the tour. He served us the Hampden Estate Gold Rum first, which is their light rum. Very tasty.....
Mr. Grant is in charge of this phase of the tour. He served us the Hampden Estate Gold Rum first, which is their light rum. Very tasty.....
Next we tried the Rum Fire overproof rum.
To illustrate how very pure their rum is, Mr. Grant set fire to a small amount and it burned off clean.
We each had a brandy snifter of both varieties. We sniffed, tasted and tried in several different ways, straight, with ice, with Ting, etc. There was at least one that each of us loved.
He spent well over an hour answering all of our questions. A very personal tour. NOT the kind that herds you though asap.... we were cherished.
To illustrate how very pure their rum is, Mr. Grant set fire to a small amount and it burned off clean.
We each had a brandy snifter of both varieties. We sniffed, tasted and tried in several different ways, straight, with ice, with Ting, etc. There was at least one that each of us loved.
He spent well over an hour answering all of our questions. A very personal tour. NOT the kind that herds you though asap.... we were cherished.
It was hard to leave this lovely plantation. We stopped to see sugar cane and pineapple growing. Any excuse to linger was good.
Tours are done Monday through Friday at either 10 or 11AM.
Contact us for more information and reservations at: [email protected]
Prices are quoted per person and include entry fees.
You can pay 50% deposit with the other 50%
due the day of the tour in cash, or full payment
on credit card now. We do not take credit cards
on the day of the tour.
Please send me an email right after you book telling me where you are staying, or what ship you are on and the date you wish to reserve. I will send you a receipt and pick up instructions.