Appleton Estate 21 Year Limited Edition

A different flavor profile than I am used to for a rum, instead is what i can only classify as a classic deconstructed apple pie. First impressions is a sweet notes of sauteed in butter apples at the point where they begin to brown on the edges and still have that fragrant apple taste. The med point is a bit of a surprise expecting a more alcoholic bite but no it smoothes right out into the spice part of the apple pie analogy. With clover, cinnamon, allspice, and the surprising caraway seed as the undertone flavor of it all. A very dinamic rum and definitely worth a dram pour.

Miss the tobacco character like the 12yr

Nose- nose has a pungent yeastiness about it. No doubt from the higher esther's that Jamaican rum is known for. There is initially that stewed fruit aroma, a good bit of smokiness, and then something wonderfully floral. Reminds me of spring time flowers. Hibiscus maybe? Palate- thinner than what I was expecting. I love the chewy richness of the Appleton 15 Black River Casks, but this does not seem as rich. It is perhaps a bit more lively, layered, and more exploratory. Not to say that this is bad, it was just unexpected, as I had pegged this bottle to be more of Appleton 15 punched up a notch. Brown sugar, caramel, and rich vanilla bean give way to some nice coffee notes on the palate. I also get some of those hibiscus flavors along with green banana and some ripe pineapple This is a wonderful sipping rum that I grow more fond of with every sip. There is tremendous taste quality inside this bottle. Finish- finish is long and oaky. It borders on being a bit too tannic and dry. Reminds me more of older bourbon/whiskey than it does of rum. Where older rum usually has a musty, funkiness to it, this is not barrel funky, but rather a bit woody. I would have liked some more of those sugars like molasses, and brown sugar than wood at the end. Not a total let down, but perhaps where I find my biggest flaw with it. Overall- Appleton 21 Nassau Casks Limited is of course a delicious rum. It is a quality bottle worthy of any accolade that might come its way. It is not what one might expect from a 21 year old rum (yeasty, funky, fruity, rich, sugary). Instead it is more what one might expect from a 21 yr old whiskey- oaky, a bit tannic, but without richness. I like the bottle and hope as I explore it I find more to it as it opens. Comparatively though, I think the 15yr Black River Casks hit more of what I was looking for. I was hoping this to be like Appleton Joy (perhaps one of the best spirits I have ever had the pleasure to sample). It was not that. Considering the price tag, for now I will go with the 15 yr version.

Este 21 años de Appleton es espectacular, lo mejor que probé. Entrada potente, el alcohol se percibe fuerte pero tanto en boca como retrogusto, los sabores de caramelo, café, vainilla, frutos secos están ahi pero la estructura es poderosa. Final largo....estupendo. Tomar solo, de hecho ni siquiera diría que se le añada hielo, mejor tomarlo con un vaso con agua al lado.