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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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piratejabez ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ | 322 ratings
Posted over 7 years ago

ORIGINAL REVIEW (6+): It's not at all offensive, but there's just not much there of what makes a confident Jamaican mixing rum. Not enough funk (too blended), and just a little too much bite. So, there's little draw. It seems as though Appleton is really aiming for mass-market appeal with their lower-end (but not inconsiderably priced) offerings, which is a shame.

Personally I prefer to purchase bottles I enjoy more on their own (as well as mix with), which are easy enough to find around this price-point. I think the Reserve Blend really a fine choice for Tiki drinks, but I expected a little more. Perhaps the 12-year is for me (which I'd really like to try soon), but I hesitate to mix with anything that costs north of $30.

It's very possible I passed judgment too quickly on this bottle, without giving it time breathe [edit: that's exactly what happened]. Or that my expectations for this as a sipper are unreasonable. I'll come back to it when I can and see if my perceptions have changed :).

Despite my disappoint, I'd still happily recommend this venerable brand's offering for use as a go-to Jamaican mixer, especially if you're tempted to opt for the Signature Blend, which I am not looking forward to trying anytime soon. I give the Reserve Blend a 6-plus.

UPDATE (7+): After revisiting this rum, my opinion of it changed completely. I was served the last of a bottle, so it was plenty oxidized. There were no offensive high notes, and the rum was very smooth compared to my first tasting. The pot-still characteristics seemed more present, and I would be more than happy to mix or sip this again!

UPDATE (8-): This is good, reliable rum. Is it perfect? No. Could it use more funk? Yes. More strength? Absolutely. But it does strike a nice balance between the Signature and Rare, and (arguably) is better than both because of that. It's equally good (for me, anyway) as a mixer as well as a sipper, and I enjoy revisiting it when I can.

A note on pricing: Sometimes I see this bottle for sale only a dollar or two below the Rare Blend/ 12yo. This strikes me as very strange. Most people are happy to pay the small difference for a more rounded sipper, so maybe those pricing it this way are just trying to move more Rares. Occasionally I've seen it offered at around $10 less than the RB, which makes much more sense. The Signature is a value rum you shouldn't pay more than like $18 for. The RB is like $35. The Reserve SHOULD be in the $26 range. (2018 USD)

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

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

Mark 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 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 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 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 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 ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ | 5 ratings
Posted over 3 years ago

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

Paul B ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ | 472 ratings
Posted 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

Name: Reserve Blend
Type: Appleton Estate
Raw Material: Unknown
Process: Unknown
Distillation: Unknown
Women leading Rum: No

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