Rum Fire White Overproof

I finally got my hands on this after having a number of aged Hampdens. I have loved all of them; even the ones I have spent $200 on and had to ship from the UK (Kill Devil). So worth it.

This is $30 and available locally (purchased in NYC). The nose is massive. Tons of funk, salt, bananas, pineapple, and other fruit. Actually shares a good bit of similarities with the aged ones that I have had (Kill Devil and Great House). Maybe oak is unnecessary?

On the palate, it is full flavored, but very different from the others I have had. The funk is there, but takes a backseat to lemon, licorice, pineapple, and kitchen/bathroom cleaners (think Pledge and Lysol). The flavors are, all together, pleasant, but the cleaner note is aggressive. Long, lemony, bitter and cleaner finish.

This is crazy stuff and definitely would be a love or hate depending on the person (nothing in between). You could probably say that about all Hampdens.

All told, I prefer the Great Houses and Kill Devils, but those are multiple times more expensive than this. Impossible to argue against this for $30.

From a flavor/complexity standpoint, this may be unbeatable in the price range. Price to quality is impressive. Shelf staple and will def try this in cocktails.

Rum: 7/10, extra point for the price point (massive bargain).

recommended by my liquor shop owner, he told me it was hard to get here in our country, waited for this rum 2 years, and yes a pot still over proof it s a rarity and have to be good ! not decided yet which cocktails to do with it but we will sure use it !

Tasted neat in a glencairn (water added for subsequent tastings)
Nose: from a distance, rotting bananas, yogurt, alcohol and sweet citrus
Mouth: this is not a sipping rum, obviously. Working past the burn of 63%ABV there's some citrus and earthy pungency. With water: more citrus, brine, earth and pineapple funk.
This is surely an incredible mixer and makes an aggressive daiquiri variant!

Kristallklar im Glas.
In der Nase nur wow! Schon beim eingiessen ins Glas füllt sich der ganze Raum mit funky Rum Duft. Diese Menge an Duftmolekülen bringen die Olfaktorischen Fähigkeiten an ihre Grenzen. Frisch zusammengeleimte und lackierte Ananas, Litschi und andere tropische Früchte werden mit kontinentalen Früchten wie Birnen, Trauben, etwas Zwetschgen und Kirschen zu einem Duftstrang zusammengeführt. Weitere Duftgruppen sind zu entdecken und zusammenzufügen.
Am Gaumen, oh ja die 63% Vol. zupfen schon zünftig an den Geschmacksknospen herum, die Aromen bringen sie dann zum explodieren. Früchte aller Art ergiessen sich im Mund, Aromen die absolut fremd sind bereiten eine Erfahrung wie aus einer anderen Welt. Freud und Leid bieten eine Gratwanderung der Extraklasse. Gräser; Kräuter, Gewürze, medizinische Pflanzen, Klebstoff, Bittermandel und und einen gewaltigen Schuss Funk.
Im Abgang langanhaltend und lecker. Früchte und Vanille bleiben nebst dem unbeschreiblichen Funk lange auf der Zunge liegen.
Eine gewaltige Ester Bombe, perfekt für einen Fruchtpusch oder zum pur geniessen. Für Freunde von funky High Ester Rum, Barkeeper, Wahnsinnige und Geniesser.

Crystal clear in the glass.
In the nose just wow! Already when pouring into the glass fills the whole room with funky rum scent. This amount of scent molecules bring the olfactory capabilities to their limits. Freshly glued together and lacquered pineapple, lychee and other tropical fruits are combined with continental fruits like pears, grapes, some plums and cherries to form a scent strand. Other groups of scents are to be discovered and joined together.
On the palate, oh yes the 63% by volume already tugs at the taste buds briskly, the flavors then make them explode. Fruits of all kinds pour into the mouth, flavors that are absolutely strange prepare an experience as if from another world. Joy and sorrow offer a tightrope walk of the extra class. Grasses; herbs, spices, medicinal plants, glue, bitter almond and and a huge shot of funk.
Lingering and delicious on the finish. Fruits and vanilla linger on the tongue for a long time along with the indescribable funk.
A massive ester bomb, perfect for a fruit punch or to enjoy neat. For friends of funky High Ester Rum, bartenders, maniacs and connoisseurs.

Definitely lives up to the name. Pretty much the funkiest stuff you can get your hands on where I live. You can smell this stuff from the next room!

Edit: Downgraded from 8 to 7 after trying it in some some Tiki recipes that call for a pot still overproof. The esters are just not quite right... Too much rubber and solvent, not enough ripe fruit.

Massive abv but this rum is enjoyable (neat too).
Despite its abv it’s fun and tasty at the nose.
It punches you in your mouth but it also surprises you with a well rounded spectrum of flavors (tropical fruits, chocolate, banana).
I wouldn’t start a night or any after dinner with Rum Fire neat but, considering the price range, it can fit in any spirit cabinet, even the one belonging to a neat rum guy.
It’s really good in cocktails cause it has the punch and it’s funky flavors can give your drinks something to suprise your friends/guests with.

You know them. Campari. Chartreuse. Ardbeg 10. Even a 1/4 oz will dominate your cocktail (in a good way if mixed correctly). This is the rum entry on that list. Try in an Almost Famous.

Great funky aroma and taste. Hot with alcohol, but so funky it's worth the burn.

I've been out of my bottle of W&N for a while now so I can't do a side by side, but I'm pretty sure this is in the same ballpark, maybe slightly less overpowering. It's not as good as Smith & Cross as far as Jamaican overproofs, but a solid entry nonetheless. I would be happy to use this any time, but I think I'll stick with S&C as my Jamaican overproof of choice.

Floral nose some feverecent spice as well, initial immediate burn with sweetness that turns into a short lived funk like hampden but not as flavorful. Bitter burn on finish with lingering peppery burn. Great for cocktail but if you like funk sip hampden.