Appleton Rums

[saltgrassbear]

Greetings fellow rum lovers,

I have been enjoying rum for some years, but have not tasted some of the names listed on the forum. I mainly drink Appletons. Am I missing out on the more exotic labels. Is there a lot of difference. It seems like the taste test champs are rums I've never heard of.

Thanks
SGB

[Count Silvio]

More exotic labels?

There are so many good rums being produced so I would say you are definitely missing out if you drink Appletons most of the time. I have not yet tasted Appleton myself but I would imagine that the difference between Appleton and some other rums are enormous.

[Scottes]

Yes, you're missing out. The Appletons are very fine rums - there's no doubting the quality - but they are just one type out of many, many types of rum.

[Dood]

Yes, you're missing out. The Appletons are very fine rums - there's no doubting the quality - but they are just one type out of many, many types of rum.

QFE.

When I got "in" to rums, it was Appleton that I started with.

Well, actually it was Admiral Rodney out of St. Lucia that piqued my interest, but it was Appleton that really brought me into the fold.

Appleton makes some excellent rums, and I often recommend it to people who ask me for a good "starter rum" after I've spent an hour or so brainwashing - err - educating them about the virtue of the Demon.

As good as Appleton is, branching out is a necessity. There are so many different KINDS of rum out there. Each country seems to have its own rum traditions. Jamaican is different than Barbadian is different than Hatian is different than Dominican is different than Guatemalen and so on. Then there are just the subtle and not-so-subtle differences within each manufacturer's line. I'm sure that, with Appleton, you've noticed strong and subtle differences between the V/X, the 12yo, the Reserve, the 21yo...it seems like variety, but it pales in comparison to what is actually out there.

When I started with rum, I had a bottle of Rodney and 2 bottles of Appleton. I now have 3 bottles of Appleton, and 13 other rums from all over the world (no, wait...14...got a bottle of Bundaberg last night as a gift).

So, are you missing out? The only answer to that question is an emphatic YES.

With Appleton rums, you've only taken your first step into a larger world. ;)

[Hank Koestner]

This is what makes rum so much fun :p - The many variations based on geography, type of distillation, the type of still, the blending and the aging, among other things. The robust pot still Appleton rums and other Jamaican rums are wonderful,:) with thier own unique taste. These rums will always have a place on my shelf, along with the numerous offerings from other places.

[saltgrassbear]

Yep, I was missing out, but not anymore. Like I said, it's like a treasure hunt. Trying to locate certain makers. So far I've tried Appleton Reserve, Pyrat XO Reserve, and Ron Zacapa 23. I have a bottle of El Dorado 15 waiting to be opened and am looking forward to the experience. Plans in the future to include, Appleton Extra, Mount Gay Extro Old, El Dorado 12.

Any other suggestions?

SGB

[RumBarPhilly]

Thats a nice start to your collection. Some good additions would be the Angostura 1919 or the 1824, Santa Teresa 1796, Ron del Barrilito 3 Star, Cruzan Black Strap, or Zaya.

[saltgrassbear]

Thanks for the tips. I have seen some of those you suggested in the store I purchase from. Will definately give them a try.

SGB