Appleton Estate Reserve 8-Year

Ça goute la république, comme tous les autres Appleton. Un peu moins boisé que le 12 ans. Un peu épicé et poivré

A medium colour similar to the 12 year with a sweet nose. The taste is the same with that Appleton Jamacian funk, that is not really my thing. A good finish , with some burn. Best in a mixed drink. $38 CDN @ LCBO

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.

Ok rum especially for a Jamaican. Still a bit gasoline-ish with a lack of robust flavour. Ive had much worse though.

I rate this the same as the 12 Year Rare Casks but the two are different and have different strengths. Whereas the 12 is excellent on its own or in a simple cocktail (think Rum Old Fashioned), Appleton 8 Year is one of the most versatile rums around. It's awesome in Mai Tai, in a Rum Manhattan, a Rum Old Fashioned, a Jungle Bird and even works well neat or on the rocks. Appleton 8 has a little less oak influence (spice, tobacco) than the 12 but a bit more mango and banana. Bonus, it's affordable so you should never be without it on your bar.

The nose is really rather like that of a Spanish style - toffee, dried dark fruits (plum) and a hint of vanilla and coconut. The taste does show some Jamaican character though, with a hint of funk to go a long with the rather thin and otherwise sweet, mellow notes. Not bad, but a similar thing is better done by the Havana 7 years in my opinion. Unless you come from whisky and desire that pot still burn and funk, that is.

Not one of my go to rums but I would drink it again if it was on a great sale. Decent rum for range but prefer Mt Gay.

Not enjoyable straight up, but not offensive. Better choices in the 7 & 8 year blends

Above average rum for the average/ untrained palette (mine).

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!