Appleton Estate Rare Blend 12-Year

This one is in my top 5 of sippers and as the other 4 cost twice its price, I give it a full score with clean conscience.
A good cigar is also a nice way to experience it.

In their 'Estate Blend', which is more interesting than great, I found some qualities that needed more research so here I am, with a glass of their 12yo 'Rare Blend'. It is not typical Jamaican in the sense that it is relative low on esters; it is much closer to St. Lucia's 'Chairmans Reserve' or Mount Gay's XO as far as pot still influence goes.
I am halfway my second bottle and it still surprises me but I can tell for sure this rum has gotten it's own altar overhere.

It is a dark blend with murky flavours and a little rough around the edges. Apart from the usual suspects (vanilla, oak, fudge and various fruity flavors) it has dark tobacco, smokey and leathery notes and a very pleasant oaky kind of finish. The strange thing is that for me its closest competitor is Mount Gay's XO which is also a darker, murkier kind of rum. The 'Rare Blend' is slightly rougher and darker and , at least for me, delivers more. So I accept the lower price, the simpler screwcap and simply accept that this affordable rum is in truth a stunning expression of a not that easy rum. It needs a bit of an acquired taste but if you are into dry rums and you like a bit of roughness in your rum this is a must try! A keeper for sure!

This a truly great sipping rum. I only drink it neat, no ice. The smoky-sweet, yet manly aroma will make you love it.

Notes of ripe banana and some vanilla on the nose. Smells sweeter than it tastes on the palate (which I so not mean as criticism). Nice taste with some some tobacco-ish overtones, has some alcoholic burn stronger than, say, an El Dorado or a Diplo.

I bought a bottle of this for my birthday as i saw it in Tesco on sale for £30 so thought i would give it a shot without knowing much about it. I normally enjoy any rum anyway so didn't mind the risk of a blind buy. The flavour in the initial mouthful is fairly good but the finish when you swallow is quite incredible! I am not an expert in notes and flavours etc so i do not know what this is but damn, does it taste good! It is not that sweet and has a nice dry oaky taste and is practically a glass of heaven when a single ice cube is added. I have tried about 20 rums now and at the time of writing, this remains in my top 3 due to that fantastic finish. I definitely want to try some of that Joy anniversary blend!!

No Sugar added; great nose/taste, very fruity - that's rum for me. Price is awesome for this Jamaican Perfection. Cool Man ;)

It’s together with Chairman’s Reserve and the 5 year old English Harbour my best every day rums by moment.
Th balance is good, it’s fruity and spicy and you can taste the barrel.
Picture: My Appleton shelf.

Not bad, smooth, but not as much depth as my favourite El dorados

The funk is there, but 12 years have taken the edge off and left a very smooth, well-rounded versatile product. It's not often I reach for a funky rum, they are generally not my favorite, but this is the one I go for and it does everything well. SUPERIOR mixer.

sugar test- 0

A really nice find as it is rich and complex and well balanced. Glorious colour too.