![]() ![]() ![]() Also referred to as “stillage”, he explained that after distilling rum, there are some remnants left over in the pot and that is dunder. But what exactly is dunder? I asked Vivian who was very proud of it and saw it as very important in his rum’s production. Of course, one of the most unique aspects of Jamaican rum production is dunder. Set within the Queen of Spain Valley, the Hampden Estate spans approximately 3,500 acres and can trace rum production back to 1753. It is beautiful! The area is quiet and secluded with acres and acres of pastures, cane fields and stunning views. The first thing you notice about Hampden is the location. A warm handshake and quick chat later and we were told to drive back to the entrance where Vivian would personally give us a tour. Wisdom.” About five minutes later, Vivian arrived at the gates with a huge welcoming smile. I asked the security guard if Vivian Wisdom was working today and was told to wait while he called “Mr. ![]() The locked gate at the entrance to Hampden We approached the guard and were told “no tours today, tours are only on Tuesday and Friday.” A collective family sigh followed, surely not a wasted journey. Upon arrival, things did not seem right! The gates were shut, there were no signs of life, other than a security guard over at the staff entrance. Our taxi driver, Winston, drove us through the parish of Trelawny along some seriously bad roads to Hampden. Following a trip to Dunn’s Falls in the morning, I called Vivian and left a voicemail confirming we were on our way. Once I arrived in Jamaica, I made contact with Vivian who in true laid-back Jamaican fashion said to me “no problem man, come any time.” I took him at his word and planned a Monday afternoon visit. This fortuitous encounter lead to my Hampden distillery experience being so amazing…Here is what happened! It was a chance meeting – I was espousing the virtues of Hampden rums and mentioning my intention to visit Hampden during my forthcoming visit to Jamaica to a fellow Rum University student, and was approached by an, at-the-time, anonymous Vivian who I think was impressed with my promotion of his rums and love of all things Hampden. I met Hampden’s distillery manager, Vivian Wisdom at RumFest 2016. Having twice visited Appleton on previous visits to Jamaica, I wanted to go somewhere new and being a fan of Hampden’s awesome rums, the logical choice was to go to pot-still-heaven, Hampden Distillery in Trelawny, which is around a 45 minute or so drive from where we were staying in Rose Hall, near Montego Bay. So, when I was away in Jamaica in December 2016, it was a given that I would be making a rum pilgrimage to a distillery. Maturation in white oak barrels for more than a decade allows for a premium rum with a smooth and rich finish.Anyone who knows me or reads my rum reviews knows that my two favourite places for rum are Jamaica and Barbados. This pre-aging blending process is a living testament to the artistry of the Master Blender, and the knowledge passed down through each Master Blender generations before. Facundo Eximo is the only one of the four Facundo rums that is blended before aging – a process which relies on the Master Blender to expertly tailor the flavor and aroma balance before Nature’s contribution through at least ten years of aging. Facundo Eximo 10 Year Old Premium Rum features a blend of medium-to-full-bodied dark rums aged in fine oak barrels. "Eximo" means "to free" in Latin, referring to how the Facundo Rum Collection frees rum from preconceived notions and transcends the rum category. A round, full-bodied texture with a long, rich finish. ![]() Expect an exceedingly smooth taste, with deep notes of vanilla, cocoa and a hint of smoke. On the nose, Facundo Eximo 10 Year Old Premium Rum is characterized by notes of toffee, caramel and walnut. ![]()
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