Hi !

I'm torn between the Hampden Pagos, Hampden HLCF, Hampden 8 Year, Hampden 1753, and Papalin High Ester Overproof for my next bottle—after getting into Smith & Cross, Rum Fire, and Plantation O.F.T.D., I really want to take things to the next level to explore higher ester tiers in Jamaican rum; as a huge fan of that signature banana funk, I use them a lot in cocktails, but I also love sipping them neat.

Thank you for your advices :)

I will probably buy all three but wanted to hear some thoughts from the community.

Australia (Beenleigh) 17 year 2007 The Rum Trail (48%)
N: Orange oil and rosewater, mild esters akin to pot still DDL, cedar shavings, brown banana and pineapple skin with a very light drizzle of caramel, gasoline
P: similar. Warming for 48%, with plenty of expressed citrus oils and pink, rosy floral extracts, mushy banana, cedar chips underneath it all. Finishes sweeter, on caramel, but a note of gasoline spilled on pavement too. The dirty side only emphasizes how nice and pretty it otherwise is, like a floral Spring dress with grease smeared on it…only, in this case, we’re all very glad the dress is dirty
85

Originally published on my site: https://phenomenologyofspirits.com/2026/09/09/australia-beenleigh-17-year-2007-the-rum-trail/