Washington DC, Welcomes Hampden Rums

 

An Evening With Hampden at The City 

Club of Washington

Founded in 1987, The City Club of Washington is located in the heart of the business and theater district. The City Club is where a diverse, dynamic and forward looking membership builds upon the heritage and principles of its Founding Board of Governors through business, social and community activities.

  Recently, The City Club of Washington, D.C. held its Annual Pink Tie Soiree Charity in October, which included a rum tasting featuring Hampden Estate's rums, Rum Fire and Hampden Gold...these premium rums, in various blends and cocktails, were introduced to a new, yet initiated group of club members and their guests, renowned for their knowledge of the rums of the world. The charity classic event also raised needed funding to support the early detection and treatment of breast cancer of which Ms. Shondia McFadden-Soberi, a cancer survivor was the featured guest speaker.

What the group experienced was more than just your typical spirits tasting – it was the introduction and exposure to the history of rums of Jamaica as well as an appreciation, as told through a narrative by Outram Hussey of Hampden Estate, that placed into context the history surrounding the reintroduction of one of Jamaica's oldest historic estates with its new modern technologies and ecological practices that not only have produced a new wonderfully rich rum, but also the contribution of new sustainable industry practices to the Parish of Trelawny, Jamaica . Hampden Estate is a subsidiary of Everglades Farms Ltd that operates the Long Pond Sugar Factory and have invested significantly in the rebuilding of the economic base of the region. Hampden rums represent a revival  in the longstanding traditions of rum making and represent the continuing of the culture of authentic pot rum fermentation and maturation.

Outram Hussey in conversation with a Rum Connoisseur

 

From Hampden Estate, this wonderful white overproof rum, Rum Fire, made from fermented sugarcane juice and molasses, is unique in flavor and style. Its hint of woodiness adds to the well balance, clean taste. Rum Fire’s aromatic flavor adds a “touch of zing” to a refreshing fruit drink or punch. The Hampden Distillery, as part of its sustainable practices, is the only distillery in Jamaica that recycle’s its Dunder, (a byproduct of the distillation process) back into the making of its rums. This along with other natural processes, is one of the reasons that Hampden Estates Rum Fire and Hampden Gold are international award winning premium rums! 

In short, an evening of history, the culture of rum, the taste of this new rum spirit, all in a lively upbeat Jamaican vibe!!!!

                                                                                                

Rum Fire Cocktails

This post is in response to a continued stream of requests for cocktail recipes and although Rum Fire  recipes can be found on a variety of sites I thought it necessary to post a few on the blog. I have also included recipes for Hampden Gold and will post others as soon as possible as they become available. In the interim, please feel free to email me (via Blog comments) any special cocktail you may come across featuring Hampden Rums.

 

 

  

In addition to the above recipes you may want to view the following  to see one of Rum Fire  Mixologist demonstrate the right way to create the very popular Rum Fire Daiquiri

The following "Reggae Rum Punch" was posted on the Drinks Enthusiast Blog by David Marsland. Dave was featured in this blog in 2012 after his visit to Hampden Distillery.

According to Dave, "Rum Fire don’t recommend to drink its spirit neat, but instead to mix with ingredients to really enjoy its full flavour. "

Reggae Rum Punch (1)

Glass -

Hurricane

Ingredients -

50 ml Rum Fire

50 ml Fresh Pineapple juice

50 ml Fresh orange juice

25 ml Fresh lime juice

12.5 ml Grenadine

Method -

Shake with plenty of ice and serve in a Hurricane glass. Garnish with a pineapple slice.

New Rum Tour opens at Hampden

Hampden Estate recently opened its newest attraction, "The Hampden Rum Tour". This is in fulfilling the desire of many to share the history and unique rum distilling processes with vacationers, guests and rum connoisseurs.

To retain the authentic feel of this tour product, the original carriage house was re-purposed into the new visitor center,  the bar and shelving were made from old wood remnants from the distillery and lighting fixtures and accessories re-purposed from old factory artifacts. This in keeping with Hampden's policy on recycling and environmental stewardship.


 The tour was designed to create an authentic product where visitors can be educated in the art of rum making, smell, taste and drink unique blends in surroundings that are centuries old. A gift shop is also available for all things rum, unique accessories and memorabilia.

This unique visitor experience includes bird watching along the roadway to the distillery and viewing of Ducks, exotic Peacocks, Guinea Fowls and others. This make the trip not only educational but historical and delightful. The tour has been well received for its top class reception and tour experience, see Trip Advisor.  For further information visitors can also go to Hampden Rum Tour to read more and to make arrangements for that special tour experience. Remember to get your stock of Rum Fire and Hampden Gold while on tour for that special occasion.

NEWS FLASH !!

Hampden Estate Rum Fire wins Silver at 2014 Berlin International Spirit Competition
Hampden Estate wins BISC Jamaican Distillery of the Year

BERLIN SPIRITS COMPETITION ANNOUNCES 2014 WINNERS
In Its First Year, the BISC Competition Sets Unparalleled Standards and Uncovers the World’s Best Spirits.  Berlin, Germany (March 2014) – The 1st Annual Berlin International Spirits Competition was held on March 2^nd in the heart of Berlin to evaluate and judge the world’s best spirits.  Close to 200 Spirits from over 20 countries were   submitted to be critiqued by a hand-selected panel of A-List and key TRADE ONLY judges – spirits buyers, spirits retail storeowners, restaurant/bar proprietors, spirits distributors and importers and World Class Cocktail Finalists – those that have the unique ability to make a direct impact on sales.  Unlike other competitions less than 35% of those who submitted won a medal.


COMPETITION OVERVIEW:
Founded by Adam Levy, aka the “Alcohol Professor”, The Berlin International Spirits Competition (“BISC”) is the first major international spirits competition in Europe with trade-only judges from top to bottom. Judges are buyers from top spirits retail stores, restaurant & bar owner, spirits distributors & importers and World Class Cocktail Mixologists Finalists. This guarantees that each spirit judged is evaluated by those who make real impact on product sales. Each product submitted is tested against other brands blindly according to its product category as well as its pricing category. Spirits are rated on a set of criteria including appearance, aroma, taste, mouthfeel and finish.
Award levels are Double Gold, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Double Gold award winners are re-tasted by all panelists to establish which brands are eligible to receive a ‘Best of Category’ endorsement in their pricing category.

BISC prides itself in the fact that it does not award medals to all of its product submissions. Only 35% of submissions receive medals as opposed to other international beer competition that give away 85%+ medals, diminishing the importance and significance of being honored.

The BISC is part of the New York International Beverage Competition that also includes the New York International Wine Competition, New York International Beer Competition and the New York International Spirits Competition. Its sister competitions is the Melbourne International Wine Competition and Melbourne International Spirits Competition.

Hampden Estate Wins Double Gold !!!

LIGHTNING RELEASE

2014 RumXP International Tasting Competition Winners Announced: More than 130 of the world’s finest rums take part in competition at Miami Rum Renaissance Festival

Hampden Estste accepts with much appreciation the two Gold Medals received at this most prestigious tasting competition. Rum connoisseurs and those wanting that special cocktail are discovering the quality, aroma and smoothness of Hampden Estate Rums. As rum makers around the world, both old and new will tell you, this is a very competitive business. Here at Hampden, we remain small by choice, we protect the environment, we provide jobs for many in a region that gives new hope to families and support financially many schools in the region. Recently, lands were released to the Sugar Transformation Unit of the Jamaica Government for the construction of new homes for families as a part of the acquisition agreement with the GOJ. These awards are well received by the staff and management of Hampden and allows us to continue a 250 year tradition of giving back to our community and in adopting best practice principles toward the realization of a greener planet. Herein we have relisted all winners in the competition to say...Congratulations to all, much success and as we say here in Jamaica...Walk Good.
 

LIGHTNING RELEASES: MIAMI (4/29/2014) – The RumXP International Rum Expert Tasting Panel, one of the most respected collection of experts in the spirits world, and the Miami Rum Renaissance Festival, the world’s largest gathering of rum producers and enthusiasts, are pleased to announce results of the 2014 RumXP International Tasting Competition held at the Festival in Miami April 22 to 25.

Twelve members of the International Rum Expert Panel and 12 guest judges participated in six tasting sessions of 17 categories of rums, with 133 of the finest rums in the world presented for evaluation this year. 



RumXP judges were sequestered in a tasting room for three days on blind tasting trials. All rums were grouped and judged in categories according to their style.


2014 RumXP Best in Class and Gold Medal winners include:


· Agricole Rhum: Best In Class – St. Barth Chic; Gold – St. Barth Cool
· White Rum: Best In Class – Ocumare Platino; Gold – Skottlander, Gold – Tanduay Silver
· Premium White Rum: Best In Class – Diplomatico Blanco; Gold – The Real McCoy 3, Gold – Plantation 3 Star
· Gold Rum: Best In Class – Diplomatico Añejo; Gold – Hampden Estate Gold, Gold – Koloa Gold
· Aged Rum: Best In Class – Plantation Original Dark; Gold – Pussers, Gold – Appleton VX
· Aged Rum, 4-8 years: Best In Class – Plantation 5; Gold – El Dorado 8, Gold – Abuelo 7
· Aged Rum, 9-12 years: Best In Class – Abuelo 12; Gold – Real McCoy 12, Gold – Medellin 12
· Aged Rum, 13-18 years: Best In Class – Pussers 15; Gold – El Dorado 15, Gold – Flor de Caña 18
· Aged Rum, 19-21 years: Best In Class – El Dorado 21, Gold – Centenario 20
· Premium Aged Rum: Best In Class – Don Q Gran Añejo; Gold – Ocumare Añejo Especial Golden Reserve, Gold –     Plantation 20th Anniversary
· Super Premium Rum: Best In Class – Mount Gay 1703; Gold – Ron Barcelo Imperial Premium 30th Anniversary; Gold – Centenario 25
· Special Cask: Best In Class – Plantation Guyana 2005; Gold – Plantation Jamaica 2001, Gold – Plantation Trinidad 1999
· Dark Rum: Best In Class – Lost Spirits Navy Style Rum; Gold – Koloa Dark, Gold – Goslings Black Seal
· Flavored Rum: Best In Class – Koloa Coconut; Gold – Admiral Nelson Vanilla, Gold – Blue Chair Bay Coconut
· Spiced Rum: Best In Class – Bayou Spiced; Gold – Blue Chair Coconut Spiced, Gold – Blackheart
· Overproof Rum: Best In Class – Plantation Overproof Original Dark; Gold – Rum Fire, Gold – Lost Spirits Navy Style Rum · Ultra Premium Reserve: Best In Class – Brugal Papa Andres


Read More: http://www.wireservice.co/2014/04/2014-rumxp-international-tasting-competition-winners-announced-more-than-130-of-the-worlds-finest-rums-take-part-in-competition-at-miami-rum-renaissance-festival/

Rum Fire Velvet Wins German ISW Gold Award.

The European market  Rum Fire introduction, re-branded as  Rum Fire Velvet  was awarded a Gold Medal at the 2013 International Spirits Competition (Internationaler Spirituosen Wettbewerb) in Germany.  

Once again, the expert panel of judges have been impressed by this superbly finished and surprisingly smooth white overproof rum.  

Rum Fire White Overproof Rum also continues to add to it's collections of awards and accolades. Rum Fire scored another Gold Medal- this time at the 2013 Miami Rum Renaissance Festival.  

Marketing Director, Christelle Harris, says 'We at Hampden Estate are proud to add these two new gold medals to our existing collection".