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It's a very good run in the rocks and with soda I bought it very cheap and was suspicious but now it's a must have in my bar
Posted
3 years ago
Good, cheap funk. Smoother than the Signature Blend but still a mixer IMO.
Posted
over 3 years ago
Would always opt for the 12 year first, this rum is OK but I think this middle of the road why bother. It does mix well with coke but thatโs about it for me.
Posted
over 3 years ago
very simple but too sharp burn.
Worth a try... but not a second time.
Posted
over 3 years ago
This rum is just ok. Nothing specially good or bad.
Posted
over 3 years ago
I really like the smell of this rum - toffee banana, nutmeg, burnt sugarcane.
Taste is also pleasant with moderately sweet vibes and some light pepper on the background. Downside is that the taste is a bit thin for me and finish is quite short. Given the fact that Appleton probably tried to push this both for mixing and sipping market in my mind they have actually succeeded. Itโs a good example that both works well on its on neat and mixed with sodas and other things. I love the fact that it adds some oaky body to cuba libres and it actually tastes real good.
Definitely canโt go higher than a 7 because of the excessive filtering and blending but 6 feels too low for this rum.
Posted
over 3 years ago
Decent rum for the price, mix with lime simple syrup and cola
Made Dons own grog with this. Made for a nice night on the porch.
Posted
almost 4 years ago
I enjoy the Signature Blend for mixing. Yes this one is better but considering this isn't a sipper and for the price I can't really say this is worth the upgrade. It's still a solid rum.
Posted
almost 4 years ago
A step up from their regular label, great for rum & coke or Piรฑa Colada.
×
Midway between Signature Blend and Rare Blend 12 Year
8
/10
out of 10
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.