Jono Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I was watching a travel program on Jamaica and they profiled both Appleton Rum and Blue Mountain coffee operations. Appleton uses some old copper pot stills....claimed to be of unique design...and the master blender is a woman who indicated only two people have the recipe. Interesting to see her tasting various barrel samples and combining them into her perfect profile.The coffee operation was similar....great lengths to find the best beans..then batch tasting for the best.The most popular version of rum in Jamaica is "over-proofed" rum...about 133 proof or similar...a lot of drunk Jamaicans were viewed in the rum bars...add in some ganja....look out! Too bad they really cannot afford their coffee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cigarnv Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I have always found Appleton to be a decent rum but overall a pedestrian pour among other much better offerings. As for the Jamaica Blue Mountain it really is not worth the $$$, IMO, and 95% of what you see offered for sale is anything but JBM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Posted May 28, 2008 Author Share Posted May 28, 2008 A rum review site:http://www.rumreviews.com/?rr=reviewsThey give the Appleton Estate VX and Estate Extra high marks.I am not really a rum drinker other than in mixed drinks....we are going to Jamaica in June...maybe if I get the chance to try some high quality rum straight I can report back.Another site: http://www.rndrumreviews.com/RnDRumReviews/Rum.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Posted May 28, 2008 Author Share Posted May 28, 2008 Some highly reviewed premium rums...a sampling..there are more:Appleton 21, Angostura 1824, Botran Solera 1893, Mt. Gay Tricentennial...highest rating, El Dorado Special Reserve 21, Zacapa Centenario...etc.http://www.rndrumreviews.com/RnDRumReviews/Premium_Rums_Aged_15_years_or_more.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vange Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I own an Appleton 21 its one of my favs. So good. WAY less sweet than the popular Ron Zacapa 23, but for twice the price and more rare. A good balance of complex flavors and some sweetness to remind us its still rum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowdery Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 I have met Joy Spence, the master blender at Appleton, a couple of times. Just a very cool lady. Remembering that Jamaica was a British colony and is still closely linked with the UK, it is interesting how much about the way Appleton makes its rum is similar to the way blended scotch whiskey is made.Joy also knows coffee. Prior to Appleton, she had a similar job at Tia Maria. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesbassdad Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 I know even less about rum than about bourbon.When I read Colin Powell's book, the one thing that stuck with me was the fact that Appleton rum is a feature of all the Powell family gatherings.I took that as a high (ha!) recommendation and bought a bottle of Appleton Estate. I drank most of the bottle neat and found it pleasant and undemanding. Later I tried the Estate VX. By that time I had lost most of my recall of the earlier bottling. They tasted the same to me.Considering what $40 will buy from the bourbon shelves, I doubt that I'll buy more Appleton rum. However, I'll be happy to drink it any time it's served to me as a guest.Yours truly,Dave Morefield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frodo Posted May 30, 2008 Share Posted May 30, 2008 I have met Joy Spence, the master blender at Appleton, a couple of times. Just a very cool lady. Remembering that Jamaica was a British colony and is still closely linked with the UK, it is interesting how much about the way Appleton makes its rum is similar to the way blended scotch whiskey is made.Interesting. What I don't like about Appleton is the molasses flavour in the taste - I've found this in the VX, Extra, and 12yr old bottlings. I assume this taste comes through because of some pot still use from the distillery (and molasses is the raw ingredient all rums not Rum Agrigole - which is made from sugar cane in former French colonies).I prefer not to taste the molasses and thus prefer Dominican rums and the 2 Venesualen rums I've tried. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredthecat Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 rastafari don't drink actually Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVB Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 I have the Appleton 21 and really enjoy it. The only one I think is better is the Ron Zacapa 23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Posted June 9, 2008 Author Share Posted June 9, 2008 I will look for that one in Jamaica...maybe the duty-free shop will have a decent price.Whoaa! Binny's list the 750 ml at $139....I think I will revise my choice.http://www.binnys.com/search/spiritsearch.cfm?advs=2&ptid=2&ast=33&asc=40&astxt=The VX is $19.99 for 750 ml....the Extra $33.99. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVB Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 Shopper's Vinyard in Jersey has it on sale for $79 at the moment. You need to buy at least 3 things from them to make the shipping worthwhile though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomH Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 If you are going to Jamaica, definitely check the Jamaica Farewell duty free store at the airport. It was $55 there a couple of years ago.TomI will look for that one in Jamaica...maybe the duty-free shop will have a decent price.Whoaa! Binny's list the 750 ml at $139....I think I will revise my choice.http://www.binnys.com/search/spiritsearch.cfm?advs=2&ptid=2&ast=33&asc=40&astxt=The VX is $19.99 for 750 ml....the Extra $33.99. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Posted June 9, 2008 Author Share Posted June 9, 2008 Thanks guys! I have not been a rum sipper but this trip will allow me to try it out....and hopefully pick up a nice bottle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Posted June 27, 2008 Author Share Posted June 27, 2008 Thanks guys! I have not been a rum sipper but this trip will allow me to try it out....and hopefully pick up a nice bottle.Ok, I checked out prices...the 21 yr old was going for $110....sorry, did not pick-up...still too much for me for rum. I did buy the Appleton 12 yr old 750 ml for $17...(picked up a smaller 375 ml VX bottle for $9 at the hotel gift shop..could have bought it for $6 at the Duty Free.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Posted June 27, 2008 Author Share Posted June 27, 2008 I saw this item:http://www.refinedvices.com/Appleton-Estate-to-launch-very-rare-30-year-old-rumAppleton to launch a 30 year old rumby Count Silvio on Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:21 pm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Posted June 29, 2008 Author Share Posted June 29, 2008 Sipping the 12 yr old Appleton Extra.....Poured into a Glencairn glass.....looks like bourbon...amber color.Nose...initially...strong alcohol...but after a minute or two...more of a caramel scent..not really molasses...may reflect the time in oak?Taste...smooth on the tongue, no burn...pleasant....some oak and nut flavors...Almost like a bourbon in some respects...a nice sipping Rum is something new for me....For rum site reviews:http://www.spiritsreview.com/reviews-rum-appleton-extra.htmlhttp://www.bilgemunky.com/reviews/rum/appletonextra.phpI think the $17 duty price was excellent.....Binny's $33.99...should have bought two.Funny...the molasses is there....just late....a delayed taste on the tongue.....a lingering taste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickert Posted November 24, 2008 Share Posted November 24, 2008 I had the appleton v/x last night as part of a larger rum tasting. I liked it, but I could not get over a very distinct flavor in it. To me, there were clearly peat overtones. It many ways it reminded me of sweet scotch. Am I loosing my mind, or could there possibly be peat flavors in this pour?By the way, the Flor de Cana 7yo stole the show for me. It was very whiskey-esque Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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