Appleton Estate Reserve Blend

There's not a lot of complexity here but the Reserve is much more flavorful and a bit more smooth than the Signature Blend. It's priced right about where it should be. Makes great cocktails and can be sipped too. Great bar stocker.

Seems there is more column distillate, or light pot-still distillate than I would have hoped. Its light, which kinda bums me out. No eruptions of over-ripe banana and pineapple... It can be too much for some people, but I love that heaviness and funk - It's what makes the Jamaican style so unique and sought after. When it starts getting light, it loses what makes it special.
Still has that pungent smell, so I get a lot of pleasure out of that. Honestly, I would skip this and go for the 12yr.

nothing to say more, great price, great taste, no sugar added....I like it even for sipping. I think this is the best price/value rum at all.

Like all Appleton's of this price range the strong tastes only works with pouring this in with a sweet mix to tone down the harsh bite. Then the flavour is satisfying but your best bang for the buck in this price range is still V/X.

I guess I just don't get Appleton's. They have a pretty good reputation and seem to command a bit of a premium. I've only tried two but they did not live up to expectations. A friend had this when we visited and he knew I liked rum. This one was definitely OK for my taste but just OK. The taste was not may favorite and it felt a little harsh.There are a number of better rums for less money. I don't see me buying any Appleton rums, but I certainly will drink it when offered. I drink rum on the rocks, never mixed.

Now that Appleton has downsized and discontinued the V/X, White, and Special Gold, there are only three rums below the $35 per bottle price tag. The Signature Blend is the entry level mixer, which I will not try. Then there is this one blended from 20 select aged rums with an average age of 6 years, followed by the Rare Blend 12 Year. I had the latter one a month or so ago and developed a love/hate relationship with it because of too much hogo Jamaican funk. This one has the hogo funk subdued quite a bit, which is alright with me. The aroma has the most hogo, but on the palate is perfectly smooth with natural sweetness from the wood and molasses with no added sugar. There is no bitterness going down the pipe. I miss the old V/X, which is a step up from their Signature Blend. I am so glad to be able to continue buying Appleton instead of giving up on them. This bottle was $27 and a better buy than the $33 Rare Blend 12 Year in the fancy box. It is also a very versatile mixer, making great Mai Tais and Goombay Smashes.

Update August 29, 2019: I have tried several Jamaican rums like this to come up with the perfect Mai Tai. This one wins for me. Using the wrong Jamaican rum in a Mai Tai will screw it up faster than anything. Well, not quite as bad as using too much orange liqueur!

Update May 31, 2020: I saw this one in a new bottle while stocking up on old favorites. There was a big number 8 designating the number of years on the front. It also said Reserve Blend. My original review was for the 6 year Reserve Blend. Does this new bottle and aging warrant another review? Not really. However, it is even better from what I remember. For only $25 US, this is a damn fine sipping dry rum with the hogo funk minimized. It is also not the same 8 year rum as what is shipped off to Europe. Appleton always keeps us confused.

Update September 24, 2023: I did a side by side taste test with the Myers Single Barrel Select that I ranked too high. I actually like this one better, so now I have no choice except to move this 8 Year Appleton up to my rating of 8. Both are now rated as an 8 for me, but subtle differences in tastes have this one ranked slightly higher than the Myer's rum. This one is also becoming harder to find.

Great value, nice taste. not spicy like 12year rare blend.

Bought this just to try before reading any reviews. For the price I was hoping for a decent sipping rum but as already mentioned it is a bit harsh neat. Tried it with ginger ale but didn’t taste very nice. Not tried with cola yet but will edit the review if that changes any opinions. Would be best used in cocktails as that would cut the harsh taste. Smells nice just to strong for me

Tasting notes talk about intense orange which I did not get. Its a dryer version of the Signature with less burn. I would use as a mixer but the Signature is fine for that. Ok Rum that I would not knock back if offered ,but I can do better for the price

I tasted this along side with the discontinued Appleton Reserve, and I felt this was a nice improvement. This has a little more spice, and a little more flavor than that does.

This is a LOT closer to the Appleton 12, thought that one still takes the nod in a side by side comparison.

Smells and tastes of oak, hazelnut, nutmeg, vanilla, and molasses.

Although the 12 is better, I rate them both a 7!