Appleton Reserve

Bought a bottle and tasted this rum in Nerja, Spain. It’s a blend of many distillates, both from column and pot still, aged for a minimum of 8 years. Overall a rum that surprised me in all aspects in a good way. The nose is delicious, fruity, spicy and woody with scents of orange, baking spices and oak. At the palate it’s balanced, smooth, full bodied, sweet, fruity and spicy with flavors of honey, orange, pineapple, apricot, pepper and vanilla. The finish is very smooth and longer than expected.

Its good for it’s price. Too bourbon-forward for my preferences. Would not buy a bottle. Spices and wood are dominant, very little amount of solvents shining through the barrel notes. It does not have as many estery notes as Appleton signature, at the same time it is not as balanced and complex as Appleton 12. Get an Appleton Signature or Appleton 12

All my Tastings and Scores are purely based on “Rums under £50”. I rarely look at Rums over £50 for my YouTube.

A retaste for me and I still stick to my initial score and statement 😊 I have to say that this one is best used in a mixer.

Very good rum, but not nearly as funky as other jamaican rums

The nose is really nice and fruity, especially right after pouring, when the esters are strongest. Pineapple and banana. The palate is quite different, very spicy and lots of molasses. Pretty good but not quite outstanding

The smell is typical Jamaican, pineapple, banana, lots of fruit, light caramel notes, for me a very round bouquet overall. The taste continues the whole thing, lots of banana and pineapple, cramamell and vanilla, light ester notes, very round and mild taste, fun. The finish is in the medium range with light wood notes, fruity and mild. For me, a very good mixer, e.g. in Mai Tai, but can be enjoyed very well on its own.

Taking few points down but still great rum. ,,A,, as Appleton. I thought that there would be a huge difference or leap between 8 & 12 year version. But no. The only difference is price and a slightly more prominent smell as well as taste in this 8 year version which is more rougher, but in a good way. 12 is more subtle and smoother while keeping the same taste and smell. Other than that, I cannot tell the difference. However, I will compare them against each other directly and revisit the rating but boy I love Appleton Estate.

Value for money a great all rounder neat and mixed

Better in a drink, slightly worse on its own

The next Appleton Estate. In my opinion, again very solid and suitable for beginners. The fruity taste and smell dominate here again, but not too artificial. Therefore quite tasty

Very solid Appleton. Round and top PLV.

Pretty nice sipper, but the alcohol could be integrated more smoothly. You get a good value for the price though.

Top rum, especially for the price! Nice and fruity on the nose, with more spicy notes on the palate. I like the finish, first strong and dry, later pleasantly sweet. It's good on its own and also works well in cocktails. Those who like wood are better off with the 12, those who like it a little sweeter and fruitier should go for the 8. For me, it depends on my mood which one I prefer.

Can be drunk neat, but as a mixer, whether Mai Tai or Rum Cola, a very good choice with a very good price-performance ratio.