Appleton 12 years old and worthy park single cask ..now I injoyed both but thought worthy park was a bit bland ..and Appleton just didn't wow me I enjoyed it but I didn't understand what all fuss was about .. because people say it's best u can buy in that price range and it's unbeatable..but honestly I thought it was overrated..I think mount gay xo is better but obviously it's my opinion.so a guy told me I should give up on Jamaican rum
but I want to try Hampden..so my question is ..is it worth me trying new Jamaican rum maybe i should revisit Appleton 12 since it was years ago I had it
Hampden offers far more complexity, and the funk is pretty restrained.
If you can find a bottle, Plantation Clarendon 15 year is great value, and offers again mild funk with richness and a nice rounded flavour.
If you really want to amp up the funk, I agree with the others above and would suggedt Smith & Cross. It's pretty challenging neat, but really brings out the full on Jamaican experience.
Les, Initially I disliked Appleton 12 yr. Revisited it 1 year later and got used to it. Have since tried various Jamaican rums, Hampden has yet not to Wow me. Don't hesitate to try Hampden rums, you will thoroughly enjoy it IMO.
I have add Hampden to my list but am going to get Smith and cross next think at the time I stated on doorlys xo and liked it then when mount gay xo and loved it then had Appleton 12
but definitely going to try Hampden this year some time
Smith & Cross is fantastic! I'd also recommend trying the Worthy Park 109. Plenty of flavor, not overly funky. I think it is a great sipper, but works really nicely in Tiki calling for a dark Jamaican, at least the ones I've tried anyway. Hampden Estate for sure. I do like the Appleton Estate as well. Never judge on your first tasting/experience. I've had a lot of stuff that did not appeal on 1st try, but I always give a bottle several chances. And you don't need to go back to one right away. Do others in between whatever you're trying, go back in a month or two.
Les 80, checked out your cabinet and what you've rated highly, but based on your top rums you're probably going to be blown away by some of the lower abv foursquares (not Jamaican but saw it missing in your ratings and would bet you'd score it highly). Also noticed st. Lucia rums rated highly for you I love st lucia rums and see chairmans reserve forgotten cask missing for you. Finally Jamaican rum I like the Hampden Estate The Younger LROK 5-Year has this hint of banana that makes it unique, love worthy park if it was too bland try the one aged in port barrels, and for appleton the best one I've tried (for the price because I was lucky to taste the 50year on someone else's dime) is Appleton Joy. happy sipping
Jamaica has a whole corner of typical flavor profiles that are produced only in Jamaica. To be able to say something about Jamaica, one must know at least the most important distilleries and their marks.Of course, the rum is worth trying.
younger lock on my list same with Hampden 8 years old the reason I not had the forgotten cask yet
is I read the fat man pirate review and he said worth just spending a bit more money on there other line ups so I been in no rush to try ..as for foursquare I really enjoyed the rums I had by them so far.. sixty six on my list doorlys 12 and 14 I just found a Jamaican rum by an independent bottler only 20 odd so going try that next since it's cheap
Has anyone ever had or seen C.J. Wray Dry Rum? I came across a unopened bottle last month. I tried to do some research on it and seems it was discontinued in late 2000's.
For Jamaica entry perfect flight is the ovevproof flight of rum
Wray and nephew (liked with Appleton estates )
Rum bar ovenproof (worthy park)
Rum fire (Hampden)
The reason I say start with this flight as all 3 are very different variations of Jamaican rum and can then guide which flavours you want to accompany the funk ..
I know its in an upscale price range but if you have a special occasion Appleton 21 is a superb rum. I likely rated it a 9. Then things like 30 & Joy are the next level but come at a price. The Appleton 15 Black RiverCask is a notch above 12, not sure if its worth the extra $10-$15 bottle. I find most Jamaican rums a bit too much funky for me.
been looking at the 15 got a few Jamaican rums on my list once I had a few more I will know if Jamaican a style I like.... my favourite rums so far are st Lucia I never had a bad rum yet from st lucia to-date
I would second the Smith and Cross which really brings the funk IMO, and recommend trying the Appleton 12 again as it's been reformulated within the past year or so from the Rare Blend to the Rare Cask edition (as I understand it) with many reviewers on this site preferring it to the previous formulation.
Jamaican rum