Appleton Estate 12 Year Rare Casks

I had heard nothing but great things about this rum, so I finally gave it a try. My verdict: it's fine. On the nose, I picked up smoked oak and molasses, along with a flavor I couldn't quite place at first. Someone suggested orange peel, and smoked orange peel is exactly right. As for the taste, including the finish, it wasn't nearly as complex as I expected. The dominant note is the same burnt oak that comes through in the aroma. Again, it's fine. For the price, you could do a lot worse—and only slightly better.

Same rum as Apeton 12 year Rare Blend, in a new new design bottle. Still the best Jamaican rum at the price point, and quite possibly the BOAT Jamaican rum.

A rich, Jamaican Rum by Master Distiller Joy Spence aged in oak for a minimum of 12 years before being bottled at 43% ABV. It has an aromatic birth with notes of cane sugar, wood, tropical & dried fruits, nuts, herbs & spices; while a rich life added notes of creamy brown sugar, vanilla, molasses, banana & orange zest; that led to a long brown sugar death with a touch of oak, walnuts, hazelnut, nutmeg, coffee & dark chocolate.

A bit harsh neat, better with ice.