As we mentioned back in our review of Appleton Estate Signature Blend, Appleton Estate Reserve Blend is our preference. The cost differential in Ohio was minimal as of last year, with only a two dollar split between these two rums. There’s very little reason at that price to say no to swapping up. So what makes the reserve blend so much better?
Appleton Estate Reserve Blend
Sight: An orange and caramel hue
Smell: The nose starts off with a waft of warm wood, vanilla, and touches of caramelized sugar. As it persists, some of the spices of the wood begin too emerge against an increasingly ripe menagerie of fruits, ranging from bananas to dates to hints of tropical citrus. The back notes of caramel underlay these like an overripening, and there’s little funk.
Sip: It starts off slightly sweet, but quickly dries with the influence of the spices and oak notes. The aging is apparent here, with a spiced brown sugar sugar that laces with touches of orange, toasted coconut, and banana. A hint of funky ester hides around the edges, and light burn occurs throughout.
Savor: The finish is smooth, yet presently tannic as it finishes. There’s a dryness to the ending, evaporating the sweetness, but leaving a hint of caramelized fruit behind that lingers lightly with that trademark Jamaican funk.
Appleton Estate Reserve Blend is a more oaked, and spicy version of it’s younger sibling. The result is a more funky and complex rum, although not so much so that you’d break the bank. Interestingly, both of them have some sharp edges, but the overall flavors they bring to the party (especially for mixing) over come any harsh notes. It’s worth noting that it brings a little more funk to the party, and that may also dissuade you one way or the other. While you could enjoy this on it’s own, it’s also not exactly entertaining, even though it is palatable.
In Cocktails
Appleton Estate Reserve Blend is beautiful in cocktails, contributing the character of sweetness without actually adding sweetness. The result is notes of caramel, tropical fruits, and warm spices. It becomes especially apparent in a daiquiri, where the lime sets off the sweeter elements, and then the simple accentuates them. For these reason, we find the reserve blend works fantastic in rum cocktails and crafting new Tiki ideas.
Appleton Estate Reserve Blend Overall
There’s really very little to complain about from a cocktail making standpoint for either the Appleton Estate Reserve Blend or the Appleton Estate Signature Blend. If the price difference is less than $5, it’s really a matter of preference. Stretching beyond $5, you’re probably seeing quickly diminishing returns for the added complexity.
As you may also notice, there has been a packaging flow through change. As a result, we’ve squirrelled away a couple extra bottles, and will be comparing to the new 8 soon!
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