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Appleton Estate Reserve Blend rum

Appleton Estate Reserve Blend

Jamaica | Aged

6.0/10
79 ratings
Tasty, but not quite great
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79 Appleton Estate Reserve Blend Ratings

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Drew Dyer (BASIC) ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง | 16 ratings
Posted 7 years ago

Simply ok, I would not buy again as better value rums are out their

Mark (BASIC) ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ | 59 ratings
Posted 7 years ago

This appeared to be a high-end rum from Appleton, although it's age is unclear - Regardless, I was expecting a very good rum. The bottle itself is quite nice, and the colour a rich amber. The rum has a decent smell, a little oaky and sweet. This rum is too harsh for me to drink straight, although it has a typical Jamaican "dryness" and depth to it. OK for the price, but not a top shelf rum - Good with a nice sweet cola (I had it with Coke Life) though.

Seedguy (BASIC) ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ | 3 ratings
Posted 7 years ago

Not the greatest, but it'll do in a pinch. Better for mixes than sipping.

Robert (BASIC) ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ | 23 ratings
Posted over 7 years ago

Was hoping for a sipper, but definitely a little harsh for that, for the price wasnt excited.

sizzletron (BASIC) ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ | 1 rating
Posted over 7 years ago

I love this. I'm drinking with mix, namely cola, and the bottom end on this is rich. Lots of round molasses and sugars on the bottom. Vanilla, caramel, titch of orange peel and spice. I started my rum journey on the Signature Blend, which is 4 years. I was enamored by that for the oakiness and the molasses. This is THAT with a sweeter, thicker mouthfeel and more oak in the finish. It is your friend. I cook with molasses a lot and am able to appreciate it's bitter finish and dark round profile. Molasses and smoky oak are why I drink this brand. The extra of both and the added sweetness make this my favorite so far. I plan on trying the 12 year. Most reviews indicate that rum is best at 12 years. And I plan on trying the El Dorado 12 year.. It has a lot of close fans.

Let's hear it for my first booze review.

Earl Elliott (BASIC) ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ | 236 ratings
Posted over 8 years ago

Sugar: 0 gpl. Got a bottle of this as a present and quickly opened it as I thought it was something special. Must have been the new label or I had consumed too much rum already. It's okay as a mixer. It seems that Appleton is taking whatever they have left over from various barrels and calling it a reserve blend. There are some trace elements of tastes found in the higher priced Appleton's but it's my opinion that Appleton is aiming for the Bacardi section of the market with the price of this rum. It's still better than Bacardi, but the bar has been lowered. It's a fair to decent mixing rum. Spend the extra and get the Appleton 12 year old.

Docsarvis (PREMIUM) ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ | 463 ratings
Posted over 3 years ago

Not bad, but zero complexity. Balance is lacking. Thin with a short finish. Bite is a little rough. Definitely could have used more time in the barrel. It has some nice vanilla and dark fruit notes. Hints of oak and coffee. But overall, not up to this distilleryโ€™s standards.

Jimechsbu99 (BASIC) ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ | 5 ratings
Posted over 3 years ago

This is the rum of all inclusive resorts, reminds me of Jamaica !

Paul B (BASIC) ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ | 472 ratings
Posted almost 6 years ago

Now that Appleton has downsized and discontinued the V/X, White, and Special Gold, there are only three rums below the $35 per bottle price tag. The Signature Blend is the entry level mixer, which I will not try. Then there is this one blended from 20 select aged rums with an average age of 6 years, followed by the Rare Blend 12 Year. I had the latter one a month or so ago and developed a love/hate relationship with it because of too much hogo Jamaican funk. This one has the hogo funk subdued quite a bit, which is alright with me. The aroma has the most hogo, but on the palate is perfectly smooth with natural sweetness from the wood and molasses with no added sugar. There is no bitterness going down the pipe. I miss the old V/X, which is a step up from their Signature Blend. I am so glad to be able to continue buying Appleton instead of giving up on them. This bottle was $27 and a better buy than the $33 Rare Blend 12 Year in the fancy box. It is also a very versatile mixer, making great Mai Tais and Goombay Smashes.

Update August 29, 2019: I have tried several Jamaican rums like this to come up with the perfect Mai Tai. This one wins for me. Using the wrong Jamaican rum in a Mai Tai will screw it up faster than anything. Well, not quite as bad as using too much orange liqueur!

Update May 31, 2020: I saw this one in a new bottle while stocking up on old favorites. There was a big number 8 designating the number of years on the front. It also said Reserve Blend. My original review was for the 6 year Reserve Blend. Does this new bottle and aging warrant another review? Not really. However, it is even better from what I remember. For only $25 US, this is a damn fine sipping dry rum with the hogo funk minimized. It is also not the same 8 year rum as what is shipped off to Europe. Appleton always keeps us confused.

Update September 24, 2023: I did a side by side taste test with the Myers Single Barrel Select that I ranked too high. I actually like this one better, so now I have no choice except to move this 8 Year Appleton up to my rating of 8. Both are now rated as an 8 for me, but subtle differences in tastes have this one ranked slightly higher than the Myer's rum. This one is also becoming harder to find.

Falcon91Wolvrn03 (PREMIUM) ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ | 563 ratings
Posted 6 years ago

I tasted this along side with the discontinued Appleton Reserve, and I felt this was a nice improvement. This has a little more spice, and a little more flavor than that does.

This is a LOT closer to the Appleton 12, thought that one still takes the nod in a side by side comparison.

Smells and tastes of oak, hazelnut, nutmeg, vanilla, and molasses.

Although the 12 is better, I rate them both a 7!




Brand Details

Company: Appleton Estate
Name: Reserve Blend
Type: Aged
Raw Material: Unknown
Process: Unknown
Distillation: Unknown

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