Appleton Estate 21 Years Old Rum, 70 cl

Product Information

It seems like the baking spices flavor is part of the distillery’s DNA. It’s nice that despite the short fermentation and long time in casks, one can still taste it. The 12-year-old can show rum newbies what most of Jamaican rum will be like, while the 21-year-old seems like it caters more to single malt drinkers. On the nose: A wonderful concert of nutty, fruity and sweet wine-y scents. I get toffee, latte, coffee, muscovado sugar, figs, lavender, plums, chocolate raisins, raisin rum cake, oranges, hints of berries, baking spices and hints of PX sherry.

As a direct comparison to the 12 the 21 does have more complexity. It is sweeter and less dry. It has an extra layer of complexity and a few more notes than the 12. Unlike many I do not feel the 21 is over oaked or too old. It really isn’t its a beautifully balanced and skilfully blended rum. Although a drier rum than I am accustomed to, the Appleton Estate 21-Year rum has a sweetness to it that becomes most apparent, albeit subtly, when the burn fades. That long finish has flavors that make you want to take another sip...then another...then another...All in all, though, the biggest takeaway for me in this tasting is my new appreciation for the mid-tier 8 Year Old Reserve—if what Appleton wanted to do in this revamp was get attention on the newest blend, then they’ve done a good job of it. Here’s hoping I can find it for close to MSRP going forward. To be honest, one of the triggers that made me write this piece is news of Appleton rebranding. As an informed drinker, I’m often wary of a brand’s restyling; it commonly means the quality of the product is going down, while the grandeur of the marketing goes up. If that turns out true in this case, the opinion of Appleton presented here may soon change. Tasted the rum has quite a lot of sweetness for an unsweetened rum especially up front. Again nice brown sugar and toffee notes with a nice creamy nuttiness underneath. Nice tropical notes of sweet fruits a little orange zest and some nice notes of tropical fruit The oak is present heavily on the finish but it is nice and doesn’t become to dry or taste over oaked. It’s burns slightly on the finish which is very long and satisfying. Nice notes of oak and tobacco a hint of tar and smoke. Appleton Estate 21 is bottled at 43% ABV – for those wanting Cask or Higher Strength – its unlikely you will get this from a commercial bottler. Sorry. Still this Copper Pot Distilled Jamaican Rum so it should still have plenty bite even at 43% ABV. It is a blend of pot and column distilled rums.

Many people will try Appleton Estate 21 as a extra special treat as they like the more easily affordable 12 Year Old. For many this bottle will represent a Christmas or Birthday present.Records the default button state of the corresponding category & the status of CCPA. It works only in coordination with the primary cookie. Up to now a vertical taste testing of the Appleton range (including the soon to be renamed Special) has revealed a definite increase in quality with each expression. I have noted that some find the 21 too “oaky”– a deficiency which I have also seen aimed at the 12. The criticism of the 12 I find frankly ridiculous as it one of the best value rums on the market. A true example of a great sipping rum. Still people are entitled to their opinions, though some should keep them only for close family and friends. I admit that I am drawn more to the sweeter rums but there is something about this particular rum that just makes my taste buds smile and do a little jig. Makes my tongue feel weird but jig buds, jig. They dig it! The consumer palate has become much more sophisticated. Appleton Estate’s range boasts some complex and elegant expressions, which inspire us to both educate and entertain on a higher level. This relaunch gives us the opportunity to illustrate Jamaica’s rich history and geography, as we reinvent our most iconic international brand to connect deeper with our existing consumers and appeal to new markets across the globe.”