Hamilton West Indies 1670 Blend

While I love Demerara, the blend with the Jamaican overpowers the smooth light oaked flavour for a vegetative funk and acetone. It may be a good way for a distiller to get rid of some of its overstock, but the final product is diminished. Works great as a complex mixer but would not want to drink this straight. Other Hamilton blends are better. Reminds me of a smokey Havana Club 7 year.

Nice balance with funky finish. Great neat. No ruff edged with just enough wood spice.

Aroma - peach cobbler followed by apple crisp and lime peel

Taste - sour apple followed by bitter sugar and a leather finish.

I try to attend Ed Hamilton’s weekly Zoom call when I can. Someone else was drinking this neat so I thought I would give it a try. More heat on the nose than on the palate. A bit of spice and some coffee notes. Can’t beat the value for this or most Hamilton rums.

Tasted at Laka Lono on 3/12/23. Pours garnet dark has a very spicy aroma. Big grassy flavor with apples. Lots of pie spice. Fantastic woodiness. Coffee notes. Finishes with some sweetness yet it is not a sweet rum at all. Real good. UPDATE 9-1-24. Sample thanks to Admiral Sue. Same delish flavor. All the taste is midpoint. Incredible.

From Josh's private collection, gathered on a trip to Minnesota.
Amber color
Grassy nose
Flavor reminds me of pumpkin pie without the pumpkin ?? I do not understand how there is a cinnamon and clove flavor here, but there is.
It tastes like a spiced apple pecan concoction baked in a buttery crust
Edit: tasted September 1 2024, thank you Olsens
Aroma: rubber cement and nutmeg
Flavor: tastes like December
Notes: this rum yearns for a fireplace indoors with a snowstorm outdoors ❤️

The Hamilton’s that I have tried have had the strong Jamaican molasses flavor that, several years ago, I did not enjoy. Times change and so have I. This was a little strong straight, but when mixed, the flavors really have come out in a nice way.

For the price point this is a great value. Huge personality in this bottle makes this one of my favorites for such an affordable rum

The Ministry simply does not disappoint. In a world with many offerings similar items, ideas and flavors cross lines. Nuances become important. There is a brightness in the 1670 blend. I have no idea what a 1670 blend tasted like but this 2020 blend sits fine with me! Although I'm not completely sure what it excels at if anything. Still yet it works perfectly fine in mixed drinks and can actually be a nice little shift in recipes calling for a Jamaican rum. I also like to sip it neat as a sort of slider in the repertoire.

A mix of Guyanese and Jamaican (Worthy Park?), neither style shines, but you get some of the best of both worlds. No surprises, just what you'd hope for based on the bill.

This is probably just the Navy Strength proofed down. The Navy Strength gives you more punch, of course; but this gives you more esthers, some smoke, and a lingering aftertaste masked by the Navy Strength's burn. Both are great in their own way, and it's an interesting look at how carefully adding water (I was lucky enough to hear Ed Hamilton speak about the slow process) can transform something.