Aroma visualization from community tastings
Distilia Hampden The Virtues Chastity by Robert Bauer C<>H 1983
Hampden lovers who prefer balance over brute force will feel at home here. A 42-year continental Hampden that drinks nowhere near its age: grilled pineapple, mango, banana and that gluey "Play-Doh" ester note, with surprisingly little wood. Several tasters call it a high-end easy sipper — intense and funky, yet elegant at just under 49%. The finish runs very long.
The community says- Balanced esters
- Tropical fruit
- Endless finish
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The look inside the bottle
How does Distilia Hampden The Virtues Chastity by Robert Bauer C<>H 1983 taste?
Aggregated from 70 community reviews.
Elegant, fruity old Hampden with tamed funk Near-universal love among funk fans: an old Hampden that stayed fruity and fresh rather than woody. A few rank the punchier RA 1983 slightly higher for its bigger ABV, but nobody calls this less than exceptional.
Experienced Hampden fans who want funk with elegance
Anyone expecting a heavy, wood-driven old rum
How the community classifies this rum. Each category takes you to similar rums.
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38 of 70 left detailed tasting impressions · Click an aroma to explore similar rums
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How is Distilia Hampden The Virtues Chastity by Robert Bauer C<>H 1983 rated?
RumX’s 0–10 scale is strict: 9.4 sits in the “Excellent” band. 100% of tasters rate it Good or better; only 0% rate it below average. See the full rating guide →
Community voices
What does the community say?
100% rate it 8 or higher. 17 selected write-ups from 70 community ratings. You can view the complete list in our app.
Review by DomM
Hampden at its best on the nose. Notwithstanding its exceptional age, there are lots of funk and esters alongside solvent notes not the nose. Yet we are looking at an excellent balance between funk and wood providing an intense and deep nose carried by a potpourri of tropical fruits and Hampden‘s grilled pineapples. Very buttery on the palate. Intense and complex. Lots of fruits with grilled pineapple on the forefront. You can definitely taste the exceptional age. The rum shows a very delicate balance of wood and high esterey Hampden goodness, while bitterness only shows up at the very end. Here again driven by wood but als the C<>H esters which are very well balanced in the profile yet in no way tamed even after so many years in the cask. Very, very nice! Side-by-side with the RA 1983 HGML: RA is overall very intense and comparatively more „brutal“, leaning more into esters and an adstringent mouth feel. Chastity is likewise intense and very recognizable high ester Hampden yet exceptionally well balanced and more complex than brutal. For now I cannot judged one better than the other but will put both on par at the very top of my Hampden scale. So the RA is no longer my most favorite Hampden, but one of two, I guess? :)
Review by Banana Joe
This rum is a true gentleman, charming you without being pushy. You gladly spend the whole evening with it and it never gets boring. And despite its advanced age, it has stayed young, so it fits me perfectly 😉. The just under 48% ABV makes it very pleasant to drink, the esters come through wonderfully without overwhelming you. The slight acidity in the finish harmonizes perfectly with the potpourri of tropical fruits. It has spent so much time in the barrel, so you should also give it time in the glass to reveal all the impressions it has gathered in more than 40 years. Thanks to Rob for letting me taste this rum. It was an honor.
Review by zabo
First of all, MANY THANKS to Rob for the sample in advance. Now a few words about the rum from me. My top pick from Hampden has always been the RA HGML 1983. In a direct comparison, I couldn't decide which I really like better. The RA is much more intense due to the higher ABV, as they say, the full bomb in the face. The purity, as Rob said, is more the wonderfully well-balanced one. I would call it (and I mean that 120% positively) a HIGHEND EASY SIPPER, one of a kind. After having had quite a bit in the glass now, I absolutely no longer hesitate to rate my points higher for such exceptional rums.
Review by Timo Groeger
Wow, was ein Brett, ich liebe Hampden ja eh, aber der hier, wow. Weltklasse Nase, kommt wirklich funky mit Ester und Lösungsmittel rüber, Banane und Ananas sind allerdings auch erkennbar, am Gaumen aber intensiver als in der Nase.
Review by SaibotZtar
First of all, "Many thanks Rob" As soon as I poured the sample into the glass, my eyes got wide with anticipation... a tropical fruity familiar smell spread 🤤🤤🤤 The nose is a full blast of HAMPDEN, lots of fruit (mango, pineapple, papaya, banana), wonderfully fermented, paired with quite a bit of funky esters. I hardly notice any woodiness... the age is more reflected in the ripeness of the fruit here (at least that's how I feel). Alcohol perfectly integrated. The first sip... mmh very balanced, also wonderfully how the fruit plays with the esters, top. After a bit of playing on the palate, a slight woody bitterness comes through (as often with older HD), which is not disturbing at all... quite the opposite, it perfectly rounds off the enjoyment. Alcohol also perfectly integrated here. A dream of a Hampden. 💥😍
Review by RumTaTa
I have high expectations for this rum and am curious if and how it can meet them. In the glass, very light for its age, but compared to other continental Hampden bottlings from 1990 or 1992, it's actually a shade darker. The legs on the glass behave unusually, forming isolated droplets at the top edge that then fray. Nose: stunningly concentrated! First: fully ripe pineapple brushed with honey on the grill under a cloche, and someone has just lifted the cloche. Palate: the initial impression is a bit thin, but that's deceptive: the rum seems to take a short run-up before throwing itself full force onto my taste buds. A nice medicinal/smoky note complements the Hampden essence. Finish: very harmonious on the palate, leaning towards dry, young wood, brine. Excellent old continental Hampden! The ABV just under 50% makes it accessible despite its intensity. Briefly compared to the 1993 RA, which is much more brutal and less balanced. This one has broad shoulders dressed in a tuxedo, wearing a velvet bow tie and top hat. Unfortunately priced very high, but the expectations are met!
Review by crazyforgoodbooze
Good breakfast Rob! Thanks!😅 Jokes aside: really surprisingly fresh and lively for 42 years of aging! The typical Hampden esters are there, lots of overripe, almost sour pineapple + banana, some bacon fat, brown nut butter, and incense. The wood influence is relatively low and not too dominant for such an old Hampden. Instead, a pleasant light acidity (lime) and sweetness (honey) join in the finish. The alcohol is perfectly integrated and spot on. Nice one Rob! Overall, I still like the RA 1983 HGML from back then just a bit more. The few years less in the barrel and the 10% higher alcohol make the difference for me.
Review by Skyfly
A wonderful drop that you just can't get enough of! Even the nose is a blast – perfectly balanced tropical fruits, esters, and baked goods are extremely intense without being intrusive. The palate continues this, with light wood, leather, and a minimal spice note rounding out the whole package and fading gently in the finish. What’s really amazing is that the extremely long aging hasn’t made the rum woodier. Besides that, the intensity is just perfect despite the low ABV! This could definitely be my bottling of the year in terms of quality!
Review by Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰
#7091 25.07.2026 My good friend came over to pick up some bottles I sourced for him, so I decided to share some of my good samples as his wife was driving 😊 A very nice but also very expensive release. A well balanced rum with greaat alcohol integration. Fruity with glue, ester, herbs, mint and some caramel.
Review by Tom Buteneers
I figured when I was going to taste and rate this, I might as well put a couple of things next to it to compare it properly. What do you mean, decadent? 🤷♂️😅 At the beginning it’s C<>H gluey esters in your face. Amazing to get this intensity directly with such an old liquid. The other ones are more old woody elegance in comparison. With time it mellows, changes to tropical fruits, pineapple, crisp green apple and strawberry/raspbery, even reminiscent of the best HERR and grand arome expressions. The competition in this tasting evolves more towards pastry notes. It’s hard to speak in terms of “a winner” when it comes to these rums, because they’re all excellent. That being said, at this moment I’m most fan of The Virtues. The combination of the chemical fruity esters (HGML and C<>H, the most fruity ones),, wood and time creates magic in a glass. Simple as that. I do feel that the 9,5 average rating is justified. I won’t change it. One of the best Hampden expressions ever for me (so far). Shortlist best rums of 2026.
Review by mto75
I had been looking forward to the comparison for a long time: Rob's Virtues against the RA 83 HGML, for me one of the best (if not THE best) HD. It's amazing how similar the two are on the nose, considering the Virtues spent 6 years longer in the cask. On the palate, the Virtues feels almost a bit watery compared to the RA, which produces more mouthfeel with its significantly higher ABV. Still, the Virtues is undoubtedly top-shelf HD!
Review by Thomas Wille
First impression when opening - 42 years. No way. Young, lots of esters and a big range of fruits. On the palate, then completely different again - round, balanced, super relaxed 48.7% ABV that fits perfectly. A magnificent old rum!
Review by TheJackDrop
Impressive. I never would have guessed from the nose that this rum was so old. It still has so many aromas and so much pep! Tropical fruits, honey/butter caramel, esters, solvents, and a softer finish intertwined with leather notes... a sumptuous rum that time has polished without ever fully taming it. Another great juice from Lord Rob!
Review by Master P
The start is already a blast of the usual Hampden notes, just very fine and yet powerful. Great esters, fruit, and subtle sweetness. It glides down the palate, slightly oily, and the alcohol is almost perfectly integrated. Nice wood notes, honey, and a basket of fruit. The alcohol only becomes noticeable after some time in the finish. I give the 42Y a few points off because after a longer time in the glass (45-60 min) it loses many of its aromas and scents. But otherwise, awesome stuff with a pleasant acidity play.
Review by Julien Huitel 🇫🇷
What a joy to be able to taste and discover this Hampden so old! And what a discovery!! A nose rather fresh, fruity! A slightly strawberry side! You find a hint of Jamaican funk but with finesse! The palate is different from the nose! So disorienting but again delivers a nice surprise! With roasted notes! Roasted sesame! Toasted, popcorn. Very long length, endless! A side of black olive tapenade or even matured black olive and always this dominant roasted and toasted side that lingers for long, long minutes!!! A must have!
Review by Righrum
Just triead at Rhum Fest (thanks Rob for sharing), more detailed notes will follow but also at the first sip I can tell this is a timeless Spirit. Old and refined, yet vibrant and lively. Hampden is there with both his soul. The funky fruit and the almost smoky high esters. The nose moves between fruit (pinapple) and the esters that are high in count but not out of balance. The palate is elegant with a slight acidity that calls for another sip, and keeps evolving going from a basket of ripe tropical fruits, to old leather and then to pastry. Simply an amazing, again!
Review by Alex Kunath
Right after pouring, a cloud of sweet, fruity, ester-rich aromas immediately rises to the nose. On the palate, I'm overwhelmed by how fresh and fruity this rum is despite its age. The alcohol is perfectly integrated. It feels like I'm drinking a refreshing lemonade. Simply pure enjoyment! Hats off to Robert and the team at Distilia who managed to unearth this treasure!
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Expert reviews
3 critics scored it, averaging 9.4/10. Reviews from RumX's blog partners, independent experts who have tasted, evaluated, and described this rum..
Expert review by Zucker und Zeste
Read full review →When I look back at the previous releases in the series, what stands out to me most is that the "Chastity" is the release with the least wood influence. At first, that felt like a break in the red thread of the line. But the more I think about it, the more it actually fits perfectly with "Chastity." Sure, a Highester Hampden is still a Highester Hampden. But after 42 years, the world looks different here too. The acidity is somewhat tamed, the fruits are even riper, the edges smoothed off. The distillate noticeably calmer. The ABV more relaxed. This development is probably the real message of the "Chastity": it shows not only what Jamaican rum can be, but also what happens to it when you give it time. This rum isn’t shy, but much more relaxed.
Expert review by Barrel Aged Thoughts
Read full review →In one word? Opulent! A truly exceptional rum, even for Hampden standards. My Hampden benchmarks so far have all come from the brutal corner: TRC 1990, RA 1989, Nobilis 1993. Very high ester content and well over 60% ABV. Clearly aged, but not yet rounded. The Chastity Hampden 1983 stands out quite noticeably, except for the ester content, and these rums really aren’t suitable for comparison. And yet these rums are exactly the league in which the new Hampden plays, which is why I also cross-tasted the TRC, for example: because I wanted a face-to-face with my benchmark. For me, the 26-year-old TRC Hampden 1990 remains at the very top, but the preference is minimal. Both complement each other more than they compete. Because as much as I love the brutal side of a TRC, for example, it also means you rarely pour yourself such a rum in the end. And that’s where the relaxed easy sippin’ comes in with the Virtues, which also invites you to take bigger sips. The only real downside is the price, which is really steep! Not that it’s not justified, especially when you look at the stocks of old rums at Main, which are increasingly tending towards no longer existing. What we’re experiencing here are the last remnants of a time that probably will never come back, the final act of old, long-aged Old School Hampden, and the brokers know that. And yet €1050 is just a seriously big chunk of money that first has to come out of your wallet. But if that’s the case, you get to enjoy a truly outstanding drop!
Expert review by The Dunder Hut
With the first smell you will get an immediate impressionof an old, continentally aged Hampden in all of its glory. Mango, Pineapple, Banana, all of the tropical fruits on the verge of becoming the similar named Haribo aroma. The esters certainly are there and give the nose an amount of warmth that is tamed by the cask and thus not becoming alcoholic. Weirdly there is this note of Petroleum, although this note (TDN) is not completely unheard of, it’s more akin to Riesling and thus gives this whiff of white wine into the mix. Surely a strong reason for Rob’s selection. Drinking it repeats most of the nose: Mango and pineapple and young, dry wood notes. The tropical fruits is now accompanied by a lacto-ferment note, that adds to a tropical, milk based dessert. The palate closes with a reasonable astringency and a sensation of a fiercely dry mouth whereupon the tropical fruits decided to dance their elegant steps down your tongue. The whole experience closes with some wood-bitterness that could easily just be bone-dry tannins at this point. Thus comes the note of Petroleum back to you and reminds you of the departure of an extreme Riesling. An echo of the fruits still lingers. This is surely an exceptional pick from Rob, which was to be expected. From the 1983 batch this might be the leader of an excellent pack. These long aged continental Hampdens are rightly so their own category and this particular dram is a nice greeting from a world whose spirits now are saying their farewells to us.
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Market value
Avg. community purchase price 1034 €
What members paid for this bottle, self-reported. Not a market value — the purchases are over three years old at the median and unverified.
Details about Distilia Hampden The Virtues Chastity by Robert Bauer C<>H 1983
A Pot Still Rum from Jamaica, bottled by Distilia, at 48,7%.
Community purchases
41 bottles logged by 30 collectors.
A collector's bottle.
9% opened, 2 emptied and repurchased.
What does Distilia Hampden The Virtues Chastity by Robert Bauer C<>H 1983 cost?
Community paid 998–1,050 €.
Current best price: 1300.00 € – above the typical community range.
What members actually paid for their bottles. A typical range, not the current shop price. Full price & collection history in RX+ →
+6 purchases in the last 3 months.
Added to collections, last 12 months — dark bars are the last 3.
41 purchased · 70 tasted · 61 wishlist · as of
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