Appleton Estate Reserve

Don't bother trying it on it's own. As a mix in a blended drink on the beach it is great.

This is a pretty good drink. No added sugar and so it's got a bit of a burn and it's not super smooth but it's good rum. Probably too many rums used that it doesn't have it's own special flavour it's like when you mix all the soda flavours together at burger king in the self serve.

I like that this rum is aged in ex-Jack Daniels barrels, my other obsession! Not one to be enjoyed straight up as the burn and harshness is too strong. Molasses, orange rind, spice, pepper and caramel are the predominant flavors. The flavors tend to be off for me leaving me to take a step up to the rare-blend 12 year to sip neat.

A step above the vx but not in the same league as the Appletons aged selection. Doesn't quite hit the mark on the rocks as the aroma doesn't wow and it's just not smooth enough. As a mixer though it works well to give you a nice taste of Jamaica.

A slight improvement on the other Appleton I tried. Not great by any means, but a decent enough rum for mixing with a nice taste. Not good enough to drink straight in my opinion.

It's tolerable as a neat drink or over ice but it's not really enjoyable to me. Tried it as a mixer and it works great there. I would stick to this for mixing and buy the 12 year as a neat drink.

Nothing much to enjoy here. Typical Jamaica which I cant find to like.

Solid sipper. Not harsh. Nice finish. Molasses nose.

Just kidding! Had this a couple years ago, thought it would be better

I purchased this rum, along with the 12 year, to compare both to the Appleton Estate 12 year Rare Blend and what I saw was surprising. Now in no way did this rum match up the the rare blend, but the reserve was dramatically better than Appleton's stranded 12 year rum. This rum priced at $19.99 at my liquor store, and is cheaper than both the 12 year ($27.99) and the rare blend ($34.99). When first entering the mouth, this rum dances with undertones of sweet vanilla and others that I couldn't pick up on. The overpowering flavor of whiskey kicking you in the face makes and makes you want more. I was able to pick up on the whiskey flavor being slightly similar to Jack Daniels and was surprised to learn that I was right. However, I guess this happened mainly because it's my favorite whiskey and I think I just wanted it to be Jack Daniels. However, this flavor of the whiskey overpowers the flavors of this rum, and if I wanted to drink whiskey that kinda tastes like Jack Daniels, I would have just gotten Jack Daniels. Great for what you are paying and can be sipped, but I think this one belongs in mixed drinks.