appleton jamaica rum
Caribbean

Rum Journal: A Marvelous New Rum From Jamaica

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - July 30, 2021 - 2:31 pm

If you’re at a bar in Jamaica, it’s the rum for rum lovers, the one to sip if you’re looking for something special. 

In just about every corner of Jamaica, Appleton 12 is almost always the best rum you’ll find on the shelf, the one to ask for, the one you know will guarantee a delicious evening. 

As one of the Caribbean’s rum-making powerhouses, Jamaica doesn’t lack for wonderful expressions, from the esteemed Appleton 21 and 30 to lovely expressions from smaller-production brands like Moneymusk and Hampden. 

But the latter are particularly hard to find on the island — making Appleton 12 the universal standard for a fine sipper. 

Plainly, you won’t often find any island’s best rum in every bar — what you want, then, is the best rum you can find with regularity.

There’s an Appleton 12 on just about every island in the Caribbean — like Mount Gay XO in Barbados or English Harbour 10 in Antigua, Ron del Barrilito Three Star in Puerto Rico or Angostura 1919 in Trinidad, the ones that marry ubiquity with extreme quality. 

They’re the ones you know you’ll find and that you know will be good. 

And even if you’re abroad, it’s the same — Appleton 12 (and sometimes 21) is the one you’ll consistently find on the shelves of most fine spirits shops in the US. 

jamaica rum 2

But now Appleton has added a new expression, and it’s something dramatic. 

It’s called Appleton 15 Year Black River Casks, and it’s, well, marvelous. 

The rum, a blend of column and pot still rums, all of which have been aged for at least 15 years, is more than just the next level up from the 12. It’s a whole new paradigm. 

So what’s it like? 

Appleton 15 has an aroma of oak, leather, spice and dark chocolate, with a hint of prune. 

The flavor profile is marked by brown sugar, black currant; caramel; tropical fruit; almond and pepper. 

It’s almost surprisingly fruity, with some of the signature Jamaican funk but not as much as you’d think. The finish is exquisite, concluding with a warm glow. 

It’s a luxurious, velvety, wonderful rum. It takes the quality of the 12 and brings it to another stratosphere, more elegant and better balanced. 

It’s a Joy Spence masterwork. 

And it just might be my new favorite Jamaican rum. 

Let’s just hope we can find it on the shelf. 

Rum Journal Review: 96 Points

— Alexander Britell

Popular Posts antigua long bay

25 Perfect Caribbean Beaches to Add to Your Summer Bucket List

There’s nothing like a Caribbean beach in summer. The crowds thin out, the winds relax, and the islands start breathing in a different way. The beaches you thought you knew feel new again— stretches of sand once packed with winter […]


The 15 Best Hotels in Trinidad and Tobago, From Hidden Eco-Retreats to Luxury Towers

trinidad and tobago hotels where to stay

From Port of Spain to Tobago’s quiet coasts, these are the places to check in now No two Caribbean islands are quite like Trinidad and Tobago—and no two hotels here feel the same. This is a destination of contrast: Carnival […]


Jamaica Just Got an Upgraded US Travel Advisory: “A Great Step Forward” 

seven mile beach white sand

Last year’s US Travel Advisory led to a slowdown in tourist arrivals to Jamaica. But in what’s hoped to be a major shift, the US State Department just upgraded Jamaica’s rating.  Jamaica’s travel advisory has improved from Level 3 to […]


Related Posts atlantis claudios

This Greenpoint, New York Hotspot Just Opened at Atlantis Paradise Island

One of the most highly anticipated culinary openings in the Caribbean this year is now open. Claudio’s Bahamas, the first international outpost of the iconic Claudio’s restaurant in Greenport, New York, has debuted at The Coral, bringing a century-old East […]


US Virgin Islands Tourism Is Trending, With More Flights, Hotels and Cruise Arrivals

beach in the us virgin islands

At the halfway point of 2025, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism is reporting strong gains across airlift, cruise arrivals, accommodations, cultural events, and global brand visibility. With continued momentum and sustained interest from travelers and industry partners alike, […]


One of The Most Beautiful Places in The Bahamas Is a Pristine Island You’ve Never Heard of 

sandbar on an island in the bahamas

There’s pristine, and then there’s Acklins. This remote island in The Bahamas is one of the most beautiful places in the region — and one that remains far off the map of travelers, with stunning flats, beaches and world-class bonefishing. […]