Review #: 394
Description: Appleton Hearts Collection 1994
Spirit: Rum
Background: The oldest of the releases, but middle ground for total congeners at 1184 g/100 LAA and a little less proof. 26 years in ex-bourbon, but also a high cost, is it worth it over the other two options?
Distillery – Appleton
Bottler – Appleton
Brand – Appleton
Selection – N/A
ABV – 60%
Age – 26 Years
Nose – The bourbon barrel shows itself upfront, some bright fruit with cherry and raspberry, cinnamon bun, a little bit of industrial funk but well controlled and not in your face
Taste – Thick and syrupy, strawberry, molasses, chocolate sauce
Finish – A bit toasty, heavy baking spices, embers, subtle oak, the tang of some fermented stone fruit shines through too (like a fruity sour beer)
Score: 8
Would I buy a bottle? I think the premium over the 99 is a bit too much (though they are definitely different)
Thoughts: I felt like this actually had a bit more upfront character compared to the 99, which took a little bit longer to develop. This felt more like the goldilocks with the balance of bright fruit and rich oak influence. The biggest factor that comes in is the price as these are a lot if you can find them at MSRP. It’s damn tasty though, and throughout the 3 bottlings, Appleton shows some excellent ability to balance flavors even with long, tropical aging.