Tried Appelton 12 yr for the 1st time...WOW!!!

[bluewave6]

After reading about the praises of Appelton Extra further down the board I decided to pick up a bottle when I was at one of local haunts. The jacked the price up since the last time I was there so I debated about picking it but then noticed that it was the older "pre-Extra" blend that had the 12 yr on the label so I dropped down $30 bucks for the bottle and picked up a few other favorites while I was at it (Plantation Trinidad 91' and Barbancourt White).

I have alsways fely the VX was a good buy for the taste, but this 12 yr is awesome. This is now one of my favorites. They had about a case left of the 12yr on the shelf so I think I may go back and stock up on it .

[RobertBurr]

The Appleton Extra is marked with a 12, but the blend is actually 12 to 18 year old rums. There's a lot to like. It's gaining new fans everyday.

The Appleton and El Dorado rums are fine products that are not overpriced.
I find a lot of people are confused by the Appleton variations, since the bottles are so similar. El Dorado, also to some extent.

Appleton V/X (5-10) good baseline rum, cheap
Appleton Reserve (8-12) a fine blend for a good price
Appleton Extra (12-18) rich and satisfying, not too expensive
Appleton 21 (21 plus) expensive, hard to find, luxury

El Dorado 5 - good baseline rum, cheap
El Dorado 12 - fine sipping rum, good price
El Dorado 15 - world standard, good price
El Dorado 21 - expensive, hard to find, luxury

[RumBarPhilly]

No mention to the ED 25 year old? Id love to try that one...

[Tiare]

Me too..i said to myself that today i want a Mai Tai with the El D15 and i think its about time now.......all this rum talk....(goes to Make a Mai Tai)

[Capn Jimbo]

My dear Sue Sea and I decided to taste a few with the notion of touching on the basic styles of rum..

1. ED 15, very nice of course.
2. Ron Matusalem Gran Reserve, which seemed like a good cigar rum.
3. Barbancourt Five Star, light and grassy
4. Mount Gay Cane, buttery with a nice finish
5. MGXO, our reference standard that never disappoints

And finally...

6. Appleton Extra.

Now I must say I bought the Extra just to fill the Jamaican category. On my first and earlier tasting I felt it really had a wallop, but as with other rums knew that some accomodation is in order. It's like going from a sweetie like 1919 to MGXO, a shock to the system.

This tasting was different and by the time we got to the Extra we were ready. Now we know what is meant by the aromatic Jamaican style. And it was absolutely heavenly. We could have nosed the Extra the rest of the evening and gone to bed happy.

But drank it anyway, lol. One little note, does anyone get a tad more of a hangover with Extra?

[Count Silvio]

Originally Posted by Capn Jimbo

But drank it anyway, lol. One little note, does anyone get a tad more of a hangover with Extra?

I wish I could afford to drink myself to hangover with such quality hooch.

[Mr Fjeld]

bluewave6, I'm also one who recently (last week ) was won over by the Appleton Estate Extra!!! It's nothing less than fantastic! My only problem is that I can't find it where I live and it's still illegal to privately import alcohol so I was wondering if you or anyone else has tried the "Plantation Jamaica 8 Years Old Reserve Rum" - which is sold in my whereabouts? (I hope I'm not hijacking this thread? )

[bluewave6]

I prefer the Appelton 12 yr to the Plantation 8 yr. I find the Appelton has a fuller body and a longer finish, though I really enjoy the Plantation 8yr as well. I my favorite list it falls between the VX and the 12 yr.

[Hank Koestner]

My preference would also be the Appleton 12, but the Plantation Jamaica is one of my favorites of the Plantation rums. If the price is right, I think you will enjoy the Jamaican Plantation.

[Mr Fjeld]

Thanks Bluewave and Hank - I'll have to put it on my "purchase list"