Velier Hampden Pagos Sherry (Batch 2) 2023

Review by Galli33

Most helpful positive review

Galli33

Jun 2026490 reviewsItaly

8.4/10

I prefer the Pagos 2023 over the last years edition!! This has more „Hampden“ power and the Sherry barrel is integrated much better (due the change of the barrels… maybe?) and the sherry stays more in the background like a faithful campanion and fit perfect with the Hampden flavours. Grilled pineapple meets sour cherries overwhelmed by esters 🤤🥃 The alcohol is very present, i would say typical for a young Hampden.

Review by Djehey

Most helpful mixed review

Djehey

Dec 2024411 reviewsFrance

7.9/10

Un rhum que j' ai acheté à moitié prix. Néanmoins il ne me plaît que moyennement. En effet la partie ester ne me paraît pas bien maîtrisé. On ressent un côté alcool médical et fermenté que je trouve pas très agréable.

Review by zabo

zabo

Feb 20251,529 reviewsGermany

8.1/10

Edit: I've now tasted all three Velier Hampden Pagos from 2022, 2023 and 2024 in parallel. The differences are then rather negligible and for me the conclusion remains that they are all very sherry-heavy, one more and the other less. Basically solid, but also interchangeable. Another edit: Tried it again today as CubaLibre, where it doesn't work at all because of the sherry note. Here it comes into its own once again. Therefore corrected downwards Franconian Tasting Gang Tasted again. Definitely tastes better to me than its predecessor. The sherry influence is much less here, which makes it more pleasant for me to drink. From the first impression, less sherry influence than its predecessor. With the 52% a super easy sipper at a good price. But I will taste it again in more detail at my leisure.

Review by SaibotZtar

SaibotZtar

Feb 2024527 reviewsGermany

8.2/10

Significantly better than its predecessor. Less barrel influence and simply more Hampden. I quite like it. The typical HD markers (annas, papaya mango) are relatively well received here. Despite the reduced alcohol content, it is not optimally integrated. Quite solid in the fast Mai Tai, although not a highlight.

Review by DomM

DomM

Dec 2024916 reviewsGermany

8.2/10

Less Sherry-Heavy than the 2022 version on the nose. I assume here Hampden leaned more towards Olorosso versus PX for the older version - just my guess, however. Same impression on the palate. HLCF profile is still present while the sherry influence is quite strong.

Review by LukaŽiga

LukaŽiga

Feb 2026798 reviewsGermany

8.9/10

8,8:On the nose, the 52% gives it a sort of firm and easy elegance that isn’t out to wreak havoc on your sinuse. It is funky all the way and the initial aromas are of a musky, winey, almost tawny old port. It’s chock full of baking spices like cinnamon, cloves, a touch of nutmeg; it channels a soft line of olive oil and saline, before blooming into all sorts of additional stuff that shows off the funk: pineapples, mangoes, oranges and apples that are too ripe, plus florals, acetones and even some crushed hazelnuts and pistachios. There’s a lot to unpack here for anyone who takes their time with it. 9:On the palate is somewhat less forward. It’s lightly floral, and provides tastes of a patchouli air freshener and laundry detergent, cinnamon and cloves again, creamed rice, funky and fruity, with an on and off bite that’s fun to experience. Then comes out intense marzipan!There’s somewhat more nuttiness here, but also more tart fruits: passion fruit, cherries, mangoes, strawberries and some yoghurt. I like the sense of dusty spices that hung around, and while not overly sweet, the rum does have a sugary, liqueur-y background to it that works well with the caramel, vanilla and bananas you end up with. 9:The finish is pretty fine too – solid, long, not obnoxious – it doesn’t flaunt a bunch of esters, just quietly dials everything down so that instead of getting one thing after another, it’s like one thing after another is subtracted, until all you’re left with is some flambeed bananas, oranges, nuts, unsweetened chocolate and wine. Edit:23.8.25, 7.11.25, 13.2.26

Review by Giorgio Garotti

Giorgio Garotti

Oct 2024184 reviewsItaly

9.0/10

I preferred this second release much more! The sherry finish is much more present than in the first release and makes everything much more balanced and more intense as flavors! The complexity and persistence are greater than the first release!

Review by Leo Krüper

Leo Krüper

May 2024888 reviewsGermany

8.4/10

Still a little too much sherry for a Hampden for me. But a nice relaxed sipper with a good PLV. Significantly less sherry influence in the second tasting. Great summer rum.