Down Island Spirits Jamaica HD 2022 Rum

This bold Jamaican rum shines when sipped neat or with a large ice cube to unlock its complex flavors, though it also excels in spirit-forward cocktails that let its funky character take center stage; enjoy it year-round, but especially on balmy evenings alongside spicy jerk chicken or grilled tropical fruits.

Nose: It bursts with Trelawny’s unmistakable funk—overripe bananas, juicy pineapples, nail polish, and warm allspice. Layers of black tea, toasted almonds, and marzipan mingle with a hint of dusty old furniture, while stone fruits, raw cacao nibs and stemmed ginger rise through. Subtle herbal tones drift in, accented by a faint whiff of diesel for that classic edge.

Palate: The palate is bold and unapologetic. Stone fruits lead the way, joined by banana bread and allspice. Ripe plums, crisp green apples, and assorted tree nuts follow, carried on a rich, oily mouthfeel. Green tea and a whisper of Green Chartreuse weave in alongside citrus peel and a touch of tobacco. Bitter cacao and tangy sour cherries reemerge, tying the profile together.

Finish: The finish lingers beautifully, leaving traces of tropical fruit, green wood, and a lasting echo of Trelawny’s wild character.

Down Island Spirits Jamaica HD 2022 Rum is crafted at Hampden Estate using a traditional double retort pot still, which helps concentrate the flavorful esters during distillation. The rum then undergoes a unique aging process, resting in ex-Bourbon casks in Florida rather than Jamaica, allowing it to develop a distinctive flavor profile influenced by the different climate.

• The "HD" in Jamaica HD 2022 stands for "High Dunder," referring to the fermentation method that uses leftover stillage from previous distillations. This technique, unique to Jamaican rum production, creates a more complex and flavorful spirit.
• Despite being only 3 years old, this rum's flavor profile rivals that of much older spirits due to Florida's hot and humid climate, which accelerates the aging process and creates a more mature taste in a shorter time frame.
• The HLCF marque used for this rum indicates a specific ester range of 500-700 g/hLAA (grams per hectoliter of absolute alcohol), placing it in the "medium ester" category. This level of esters contributes to the rum's fruity and funky character without overwhelming the palate.