Appleton Estate 12-Year

Really enjoyed this and wished I’d bought two bottles when it was on sale on amazon. Smells like it is going to be quite funky but wasn’t

I’ve been enjoying the Appleton’s Reserve for quite awhile and I didn’t expect this to be much different.

The 12 is MUCH better than the reserve! Now I really like to start with the 12 and then switch down to the reserve after 1 or 2. It is a seamless step down and a great way to enhance an evening.

Now I’m really keen to try some of the older more expensive Appleton’s.

I've tasted the signature blend and the reserve blend. This one is their best so far. I really enjoyed the smoothness and taste. Great with a single ice cube.

The finish of this rum is a little bit smoky, similar for me, like scotch whiskeys, the smell of the drink, a bit unnatural to me, reminds me of glue, but if I drink more of it, it's not bad at all!

I love this Rum. It is full of molasses and very smooth. An incredibly rich nose. Great neat, or mixed. I especially like it on the rocks with a splash of seltzer and some lime juice. One other advantage - It comes in a Liter bottle! And the price is very reasonable per ml compared to "less expensive" rums that come in 700 ml.

Well, I have to say, I was hoping to enjoy this much more than I have thus far. That said, this is my first real experience with a Jamaican-style rum, so there’s that.

The aroma? Smells like pure magic marker to me- which for this relative newcomer to Jamaican rums is enough to make me recoil and rethink whether I really want to swallow what’s in the glass - especially neat. I’m not 100% sure if that’s the infamous “hogo” I hear so much about, but if so, hogo is a “no go” for my palate. It certainly does bring that funk.

The taste? Not as unpleasant as I would expect given the noxious smell wafting out of the glass, but still not great either. Hard to put my finger on (or tongue on, if you will) but the pot-still flavor imparts a very specific character onto this rum that, while decently complex, isn’t all together desirable either. It’s fine, neither too hot nor too spicy,... just a bit too... well, a bit too odd for me to truly appreciate. Sure, I could get used to it and maybe over time I might even come to appreciate it, in the same way one could get used to drinking RC cola and find some redeeming quality in it... but why?

I will say this, the bottle is a nice shape and mine came in a very fine looking tin housing that i find attractive in the collection. Also, I really do genuinely appreciate the fact that this is yet another distinct style of rum that adds to the overall diversity of the spirit.

So, not a sipper for me, but I will try it in some cocktails soon to see if the funk becomes something my mouth can dance to or not. For now, I’m staying out of funky town and I’m not taking anyone else there either.

I strongly advise you to do what Chaing Kai-Shek used to do when Mao got on his nerves: open a bottle, lean back and Taiwan on.

This is great rum. better than that horse wee-wee Bacardi turns out, especially if you're an actual adult who doesn't drink spiced rum with the bros at the local frat.

And cheap too, an important thing for an old skinflint like me. It's $17.65 US at the Duty Free shop at the Ivy Lea (1000 Islands) Bridge. You can bring in as much as you want as long as you don't go nuts and back a truck up to the loading dock. The American Customs guys will generally let you go with up to 3-4 liters, but even then duty is only $2.80 a bottle. Don't try to lie to them, though because that's another thing entirely.

Nice color. If it tastes like it looks that would be great. It doesn't. I don't know what it is about Jamaican rums, they have this cloying. Maybe I'll always be a beginner, reading the other reviews. I can't get past the taste. I gave it away.

Purchased this duty free to sip in the Cook Islands.
Worth every cent, not too sweet.

This was my first foray into Appleton Estate. This rum reminded me of a bourbon due to the oak. Overall, a nice, warm flavor and less sweet.