Hampden 2007 10 Year Cask Strength Jamaican Rum - Kill Devil (Hunter Laing) TWB Exclusive

It feels fitting to review something called "Kill Devil" on Easter weekend. "Kill-devil" was an old term for rum dating back to the 1650s. This single cask, 10-year Kill Devil, sourced from Hampden Distillery in Jamaica, is a joint release from Hunter Laing’s Kill Devil Rum Range and The Whisky Barrel. Distilled in 2007, this Pot Still single cask produced 270 bottles at 62.5% ABV. Initially, the aroma has overripe papaya along with rubber and solvent notes. With time, brown sugar emerges, making the nose lean sweeter. This is a very potent pour that offers a journey of contrasting flavors: A sour, salty beginning gives way to brief hints of peated scotch smoke alongside sweet and spicy notes reminiscent of hot cross buns. My tongue tingles at the end, yet it feels drying. The aftertaste brings to mind the black rubber ground of a playground in the sun. Or paint thinner. While this rum earns points for uniqueness and flair, it's not to my personal preference neat. I experienced some flavor whiplash, though after allowing it to breathe and experimenting with a bit of water, my score improved during the tasting. I appreciate its smoky moment, which I'll interpret as a nod to its Scottish heritage. 6.75/10