Above: Hampden Estate in Trelawny

FOR YEARS, Trelawny’s Hampden Estate had produced a high-ester, bulk rum sought after by clients across the globe — but mostly in Europe.

A few years ago, following a takeover by Jamaica’s Hussey family, the 300-year-old Hampden Estate decided to get into the bottled rum game.

The result was Rum Fire: a pot-still, powerhouse overproof rum called Rum Fire, launched exclusively for the Jamaican market in 2011.

Today, Rum Fire has developed a cult following in Jamaica, and has slowly expanded its reach beyond the country.

For the uninitiated, though, Rum Fire’s raw power may be a shock.

But most rum aficionados will tell you that nearly all Jamaican rums — whether they’re the traditional 80 proof like Appleton or 126 proof like J Wray & Nephew Overproof, have a little extra strength, a little added brashness beyond the stated proof.

And the excellent Rum Fire is true to that heritage — at 126 proof, it’s serious — but it’s also surprisingly smooth, with floral, fruity and nutty notes.

If you can get your hands on a bottle, it’s definitely worth adding to your collection.

And you’ll have to try it neat to enjoy what is a truly unique rum experience.

— CJ