Appleton Estate Black River Casks 15-Year

Nose: Ripe bananas, molasses, vanilla, and dried apricots
Taste: really oaky ,more smooth and complex version of the Appleton 12 year(rare cask), definitely a good sipper but not balanced enough to be great. There’s a bitterness or harshness at the back end that I don’t like. This rum is better suited as a mixer or bargain sipper. I personally prefer the 21 year.

I paid $60USD and this price point seems fair for what you get. I would say that this rum is the middle sibling of the 21 year and 12 year rare cask. Cheers🥃

While I don’t enjoy this as much as some other rums, it is one of my favorite Jamaican rums. The initial scents I got more banana, vanilla, and some sweetness. The first sip was more oak than anything.

As I was doing dishes while sipping this, it was left on the counter for about 15 minutes before I came back to it. At that point I had some odd scents, akin to soft, warm bread and apples. The taste at that point reminded me of overripe bananas or fried bananas.

And while the thought of it may give some people a slight heart attack, I bet it would make an excellent El Presidente.

A bit more complex in middle phase ( +3% is helping), but the difference is distinguishable only in direct comparison. If you want to save, buy 12y (new bottling) or buy 21y that is even more smooth, complex and ballanced.

Since I had never heard of Black River in Jamaica, I just had to look it up. It is on the southwest coast of Jamaica about 20 miles south of the Appleton Estate. Back when I visited Jamaica in 1988 and 1996, this part of Jamaica saw no tourism at all. This has obviously changed as there are now safari boats guiding tourists through these mangrove swamps. I gather that some very special wood from this area goes into making the casks that aged this rum.

If you are expecting a heavy black char in this rum, you won't find it at all. It is a very good dry rum with the usual no sugar being added, but I still prefer their 8 Year Reserve Blend as my favorite from this island. So glad that I happened upon this one this afternoon while stocking up on K&S 18 Year before they are all gone.

This is definitely a tasty rum, but the difference between the Appleton 15-year and 12-year is too marginal to be worth the extra $30.

Chuť 15 je zase o level výš než 12. Výraznější drevitost a Plnejsi chuť. Chutná všem a za ty peníze je úplně super. Dost podobný 21.

Nice upscale packaging wood and gold metal cap. Beautiful golden brown hues, looks great in my glass. Nice warm banana bread scent, slight funk on first note followed by mild cinnamon and spice with a very long mildly warm finish. Plenty of depth and flavors 43% strength better than 40%. I will likely by this again. Great value. Solid 8-8.5 but not a 9 like 21.

There's the light at the end of tunnel. Thanks Appleton for something new, exciting!

The diff between this and 12yo rare case is not huge, but noticable. Similar profile, but better balanced, more smooth. Still authentically funky. It's not smoky and not dry like their other 15yo. A bit weird on nose and not infinity aftertaste - minus 1 point.

Anyway, just the pleasure to consume )