Appleton Estate Reserve 8-Year

Smooth and tasty. I really enjoy it neat. At first sip it is lush, full of flavour and fulfilling. The aftertaste is a little flat though.

using it for "good" friends instead of the VX in mixes

Dark Colour, very strong spicy taste, very strong aroma. A Rum that demands your attention !!

Initial hit is a bit WTF but then it mellows out and sweetens up into a long lingering smooth mouthful of tasty rum. 7.5 but at £26 a bottle on offer in Waitrose, I'm giving and 8 and going back for more!

Nice flavour easy to drink on ice. One of my favourite Appleton rhum.

A litte bit smoother than the V/X but still with that Jamaican feel.

Great Jamaican quality. Not so good as 12 years old, but still good.

This is my second bottle, first was Rare Blend 12, and I like it a lot. Maybe not that exotic or mature taste, but it is smooth, delicious and easy to drink.
In side by side comparison with Diplomatico Kettle Batch I prefer Appleton.

We did a vertical tasting of the Appleton range from the standard all the way to the 21, and this was the standout rum. A big jump up from the bottom of the range, but only a few dollars more. If you like heavy Jamaican funk, the 12 year may be more your style, but this 8 year is definitely the best value Appleton offer. The 15 would be the most similar step up from this one.

Best of Appleton rum I tasted ... yet. Better than the V/X