Objective Notes
Extremely Smooth (on the RnD scale of Harsh-Smooth-Very Smooth-Extremely Smooth)

Appleton 21 year old displays itself as a deep amber brown, as you’d expect from so much time in oak. The aroma is as fine as a well aged rum should be: Appleton’s 21 year old entices with clean and subtle caramel, oak, and hints of orange paraffin, with absolutely no attack on the nose. A sleek body delivers wonderfully harmonious flavors beginning with oaken vanilla, crisp caramel and butterscotch, and less pronounced walnut. Appleton 21 year old finishes warm, medium-long, and clean, with an added splash of spice – altogether complementing the rich tasting experience.

Anecdotal Notes
Appleton 21 year old is made from rums aged a minimum of 21 years, blended, then married once more in casks for at least another year. Only 12,000 bottles are made in any year, and each bottled is numbered and includes a descriptive pamphlet about Appleton and their rich heritage of producing rum since 1749. The 21 year old rum is the product of Master Blender Joy Spence, who carries well the distinction of being both chemist and artist.

As proud of this rum as they must be, Apppleton Appleton doesn’t flaunt it with overpriced packaging. About the only noticeable difference the 21 year old shows from their other bottles is the blue and silver label, and a humble “21” sticker. Even their usual screw cap is used. All the better, since there’s no time wasted looking at the stuff, you get right to the tasting – and what a reward it is. Enticing aromas followed by smooth, mature flavors, and a noble finish replace the harsh edges of some of their younger products. The taste is pure rum; with only time, talent, and oak to enhance it.

Appleton divides its product portfolio into two main styles.  Best known are the minimum aged rums, examples of which include the  12 Year Old Extra, 21 Year Old (reviewed here) and 30 Year Old, which are characterized by oaken barrel flavors, fruit, nuts and spice.  Every drop of rum used in the minimum aged products is aged at least as long as the label declares. Their other main style is blended rum, which includes V/X, Reserve, Master Blenders’ Legacy and Exclusive.  Appleton’s blended rums are sourced from as many as 15-20 various stocks, and are characterized by softer vanilla and caramel flavors.  Master Blenders’ Legacy is somewhat of a rule breaker, combining some of the 30 year old aged rum with younger blends.

Taster’s Opinion
Dave - It may take Appleton 21 years of aging and blending to create a truly exceptional rum, but its well worth the wait. Appleton 21 year old is an exceptional rum, full of well-balanced, classic flavors. It belongs in any serious rum aficiando’s cabinet.

Taster's Rating (10 is best): Dave - 9.5 flasks

Most recently reviewed by: Dave in December, 2007 in RnD’s South Tasting Room, USA.

*750ml unless otherwise stated.