Review #: 392
Description: Appleton Hearts Collection 1999
Spirit: Rum
Background: One of staples of Jamaican Rum, Appleton puts out high quality rum throughout the pricing spectrum. On the higher end are their Hearts Collection, consisting of all pot still, cask strength, pure funky rum. This release consists of a 1999, 1995, and 1994 vintages. As I am tasting through all three, it is my birthday so I figured to break out something special. Aged in ex-bourbon and this one clocks in at 855 g/100 LAA of total conegers.
Distillery – Appleton
Bottler – Appleton
Brand – Appleton
Selection – N/A
ABV – 63%
Age – 21 Years
Nose – Mocha, raisin, dark cherry, embers, brown sugar, spicy tobacco and oak. Slight industrial funk but really not that aggressive.
Taste – Creme brulee, cooked banana, papaya, brown sugar syrup, brown bread
Finish – Maple syrup, ginger snap cookie, tobacco-y funk, dark chocolate, oak comes in at the end a bit dry but not overwhelming and a nice warmth lingers
Score: 8
Would I buy a bottle? $225ish is expensive, but this is super tasty. I don’t think you would be disappointed if you paid retail for it.
Thoughts: Aged Jamaican can be a bit iffy for me. Some of the Hampden older stock I can find super savory that twists my expectation and can at first come off a bit weird. This, though, has some solid sweetness and fruitiness and the funk is well complemented and offers layers of complexity. This is a delicious rum.