HAMPDEN HLCF CLASSIC vs. illy FORTE ESPRESSO
This pairing is all about strength, contrast and control of passion.
It’s like we put in the ring David and Goliath, but in this particular case David is Goliath disguised as a cup of coffee with its intense aroma that goes into directly your mind and palate after just one sip. A Goliath is of course our “strongest” rum we had in test before few years, a rum that sparks its passion soon as the bottle is open. Even after two years the attitude remains the same.
First introduction of espresso…
The Coffee: illy Espresso Forte hits first with its dark roast intensity, a firm bitterness of cocoa and toasted almonds. Something made for strong and brave palates. For extreme espresso lovers, for somebody like the author of this text.
It sets the stage, grounding the palate.
Now it is time for the rum…
The Rum: Then comes Hampden HLCF Classic, a full-blown Jamaican funk parade with its esters. It opens: ripe banana, pineapple syrup, varnish, olives & smoke. It’s wild, unapologetic, and loud. This rum doesn’t try to please everyone.
In fact, it’s sometimes too intense for pure sipping. A few drops of water or a single ice cube can make all the difference, revealing layers of tropical sweetness beneath the funk.
Until the espresso pulls it back into focus.
Now… a sip of coffee, a few seconds of waiting and then a small pour of Hampden.
The rum’s heat softens into tropical sweetness, the espresso turns silkier and chocolate-forward.
Go back to the coffee and suddenly it tastes rounder, smoother, almost fruity.
Result:
A perfect dance between bitterness and funk, fire and cocoa.
Short story?
“Bitter first. Then funky. Then everything makes sense.”
