Appleton Estate Rare Casks 12-Year

After the huge disappointment that was the Diplomático, this is my second ever tasted rum, and I really liked it.

For starters, it actually smells like rum ("ester notes", banana, or, if you ever used the solvent ethyl acetate, somewhat like that).

The taste is very smooth, without being sugar-sweet and it leaves an oaky aftertaste with some pleasant sting and warmth. This one is definitely barrel aged and 12 years sound plausible. So, to my surprise, this one could also be considered an "easy sipper", but also has an interesting bouquet, if you smell closer.

Clean but also slightly spicy & hot
Theres smoothness …. Also flavor ..
not super whiskey like but similar .. notes of caramel vanilla etc

Did not like the way this rum tastes. Had a great aroma but disappoints in the glass mixed or on the rocks.

Nice one. Haven't drunk that many rums from this brand so I have nothing to compare it to

Nice body, molasses , smooth but not the best.. I need to try more.

Tasted at Laka Lono on 11/20/22. Deep dark gold. Aroma of coconut chocolate and hugu. The funk still remains in the flavor. Slightly thin but awesome honey and Jamaican funk.

Very nice rum, has that typical Jamaican flavour but not that funky. Hints of banana but also a little dry and oaky, touch of licorice candy. Good depth to it.

I don't normally go for anything above 40% but I thought I'd give this a try. It's good; it's what you expect from an Appleton product... but... trouble is I was kinda expecting more. If you're an Appleton enthusiast you'll love it, I'm sure, but for someone like me with a little experience who's trying to travel the world vicariously through rums I really yearned for this to bring more, especially for a 12-year aged product. The El Dorado 12, for example, delivers way more. But... this isn't a complaint at all; I'd buy it again.

Wow! I'd always wanted to try the 12-yr Rare Blend but it was never available in my area. THIS, however, more than makes up for the fact that I was never able to try that blend. Having thoroughly enjoyed both the Signature and the Reserve blends in cocktails, I had always wondered what the 12 year would bring to the table...

Smooth, baby, smooth. Maybe a little bit of burn on the back end, but at $40 per 750ml I'm not one to quibble about a bit of burn. A little ice or water cools that off easily and isn't always needed IMO. Not as funky as the other AEs I've tried, more subtle, but not lacking in character.

Exceptional drink for the price. I plan to always have a bottle in my cabinet.

Lovely rum with mild taste of vanilla. Good warmth to it and excellent as a sipping rum.