Appleton Estate Rare Casks 12-Year

One of the first I tried as sip and I like it.
Dry one. I figure out I like that more than sweet one.
Not for cocktails.

This rum is barely drinkable and should only be served at a drunk fest. It tastes like pure gasoline and is only half a step above Barardi bottom shelf white rum. Save it for the high shcool kids. I'll drink the grown up rum.

This may be my absolute favorite rum. Jamaican, but not too funky. I taste the funk, but the funk is in the background complimenting the smooth, long finish. Everything is balanced from the nose to the finish. This stuff slays in tiki coctail recipes calling for aged blended column still, but they make a delicious 8 year rum you could be forgiven for putting in the cocktails; while you go ahead and keep this one back for a neat pour or a jumbo cube in a double old fashioned glass.

Aroma - sweet raisin followed by pineapple, mild funky banana, and fresh lime.

Taste - raisin followed by plum, toffee, banana bread, and barrel spices.

This rum is awesome! It has very nice flavors that play beautifully with each other and a mellow amount of Jamaican funk. If one was introducing a friend into Jamaican rums, this one would be a great start for a couple of reasons. The funk is quite mellow compared to some Jamaican rums, the cost isn't too terrible at $36 to $46, and it is very easy to acquire. This rum has also made one of the best tasting grogs that I've ever had so that definitely helps! Overall, this is a very solid rum for many uses and a great recommendation from me, but like all things, I just wish it didn't cost as much.

Pot and column rum blend, signed by Joy Spence. Minimum 12 year aged in American oak. Obviously Jamaican. 86 proof. Used to be called Rare Blend 12 Year.

This was my first Jamaican rum, and while it isn't typical of the other funky Jamaican rums, that's why I like it. Its different enough to give it its own place on my bar, but not over the top with funk like something like Smith & Cross, which I didn't like. This may sound a bit weird, but to me it has a little of that woody flavor like in Doorly's 12yr, but you wouldn't mistake it for that because of the other flavors in the mix. Its dry, has just a touch of funk to make it interesting, and priced in the low $40s its a great value as well.

Wow! Great flavor! Deep notes of spice, sweetness, and some light fruit. Smooth finish with a hint of burn. Definitely one I’ll keep around.

This is the only Jamaican rum in our collection and it doesn’t match our sweet smooth palate. We keep it so others can try that Jamaican funk.

If you like a fair amount of Jamaican hogo but without excessive eau de roadkill and badly rotted fruit, this is a good one...it's about as funky as my personal tastes can handle. It's interesting without being overwhelming. It still takes some getting used to if you're accustomed to rums from Barbados and Central America as it's a whole 'nother taste, but it grows on you. Be forewarned though, it ain't exactly tame if you've been into mellower and less flavorful rums....

I feel like this rum should be the standard to which all aged Jamaican rums are rated. If you’ve thought about getting or are reading this because you’re curious and considering it, then just get it, especially if it’s actually in stock because before you know it it will be gone for months