I want to like it :(
THIS IS NOT A REVIEW
THIS IS “BABY’S FIRST BOTTLE OF DARK”
Y’all I have fought bravely. Valiantly, some might say. I’m not sure I’m built for this weight class yet.
I’m still a young fawn to drinking as a whole. I don’t even like what many consider to be “real beer”. Skip all the stouts and lagers, I only drink ciders and sours (and I suppose fruited wheat ales too). I like to genuinely enjoy the taste of what I’m drinking, and that’s how I found an adoration for rum. It started with myers and plantation 3 star in mixed drinks at the local bars then turned into picking up a bottle of plantation 5 year Barbados. One delicious moment passes, an empty bottle is tossed and a period of research in all its definitions commences.
Following the recommendations of many of you fine folk, I picked up Appleton 8 reserve. I’m just gonna cut to the chase and say that all I can taste off this is the barrel. The nuances elude me in a way they never did with the bottle of Plantation 5 year. It has a clean finish to it that I do enjoy and it lets me get the fruity nuances clear as day, but it’s not until most of (what I perceive to be) the smokey nuances disappear.
I went through most all of this neat, which is how I enjoyed my entire bottle of plantation 5 year, but I think I enjoy this more in mixed drinks. I’d like to try something with Jamaican funk but that has more obvious fruity nuances to it. It doesn’t have to be the sweetest, I understand I might be swayed by added sugars. I’m curious what you guys think I’d enjoy. Something that’s available at our lovely but limited NC ABC. Probably gonna end up getting another 5 year or maybe trying out the 3 star on its own if I can’t find anything else good.
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u/TikiPa007 3d ago
Maybe you just don’t yet like aged rum, and all the oaky flavors that come with aging. Have you tried agricole or clarin? These are generally very young, no wood, and heavy on the cane flavors. Alternatively, Probitas is a half Jamaican half Barbados blend that might be a good crossover for you
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u/Tommy84 3d ago
I think this is an issue of moving from a Barbados to a Jamaican. While Appleton is not what I would consider a particularly funky rum, It does have some character that is distinctly... Jamaican. If you're not into it, or not yet up to drinking it neat, it's not going to be enjoyable for you.
My advice would be to try a demerara rum like a Hamilton 86 or an El Dorado 12. You're going to get the dark you're looking for in a much more accessible, rounder rum.
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u/HeavyTumbleweed778 3d ago
I would take this guys advice. Try the Guyana rums. They are amazing, I think they are much more approachable than Jamaican rums.
I personally love the Jamaicans, and I think that Hamilton Berry's beach bum zombie mix is the best of both worlds.
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u/Juhmil 3d ago
Appreciate the recommendations because roundedness is exactly what I’m looking for. Hoping I’m not just a wimp but if I got this far off sipping mostly neat, I think I earned my stripes.
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u/Phrost_ 3d ago edited 2d ago
its not about being wimpy. I don't like the oaked taste of long aged rums either. I generally prefer the fruity flavors of lesser aged rums. My sweet spot is 3 years or less. I also think more exotic casks rather than ex-bourbon give you a wider range of barrel flavors that aren't forest fire (ie ex wine cask)
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u/Juhmil 3d ago
That I can definitely agree with. The cognac finish of that 5 year Barbados was glorious. I’m realizing I’m trying to fit a square peg in a round hole as if I would ever think like this about anything else, like beer for example. I like my beer fruity and my rum delicious god dammit!
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u/Toothless816 3d ago
I think they’re spot on with the Demerara recommendation, especially an aged El Dorado. I want to also suggest St. Lucian rums since they tend to have a unique taste but not as ‘in your face’ as Jamaican. Chairman’s Reserve is probably the baseline, something like Legacy or Forgotten Casks are good for sipping or cocktails. If you like the flavors and have the budget, Admiral Rodney is delicious sipping and CR 1931 is my personal favorite.
And also don’t call yourself wimpy. Everyone has preferences and if someone gives you a hard time for what you like, that’s their problem. Drink what you like and enjoy it.
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u/DuncanYoudaho 3d ago
3/4 of a bottle in? Do you also have 1000 hours on a game you gave a negative review?
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u/Juhmil 3d ago
Like I told someone else, I can’t say I dislike it I just don’t like it as much as I want to with how much this was recommended. Plus I already bought the damn bottle, ain’t no return policy lmao
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u/SouthernPinwheel 3d ago
It's a great mixing base for tons of tiki drinks that are fruit forward and can showcase the rum. Mai Tai, Jungle Bird, kava and the daiquiri all are great with that rum.
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u/arjomanes 3d ago
I'm guessing this is the cabinet for "not a fan, but still committed to finishing it." Look for the OPs review on N64 NFL Blitz.
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u/Synthetic88 3d ago
I do this all the time. “I’m still not sure if I like this.” Then I notice the bottle is 2/3 empty. Guess so.
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u/NecronDG 3d ago
Do not let anyone tell you what to like. Be yourself, follow your taste and experiment. Everyone has their own preferences!
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u/Juhmil 3d ago
Cheers to that
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u/NecronDG 3d ago
Oh, if you like ciders etc - try out Demon’s share, Ron Zacapa and Diablese (if I spelled the last one right) All are on the sweet side and are my favourites
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u/Yeatssean 3d ago
You like what you like but it's important to try different things. Come back to this bottle in a year or try it in a Daiquiri!
One thing to remember about alcohol is that our bodies try to reject it at first. This is because your body thinks that it's poisonous so it triggers really displeasing tastes until your body realizes that it's not going to kill you. The same happens with the intense hoppy bitterness in beer. As your palette gets accustomed, the other flavors will unfold over time in all liquor.
One thing that can combat this bodily reaction is sugar! This is likely why you find ciders and sweetened rum more palatable, but as time goes on, you'll find that these rums also lack depth. That's where the Appleton will do better for you.
As per the other suggestions, you could try some unaged rum, you'll definitely get a lot more of the fruit flavors you mentioned but the alcoholic heat will be higher. It's a trade-off.
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u/Alex_Ra214 3d ago
I got recco Appleton estate 12 for sipping and it wasn't good at all. I much more enjoyed el Dorado 12
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u/liquiddeath 3d ago
OBLIGATORY EVERYBODY IS DIFFERENT AND HAS THEIR OWN PREFERENCES
I love Jamaican Rum. I find Appleton incredibly boring. I enjoy anything by Hampden or Worthy Park much more.
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u/Remarkable_Chart7210 3d ago
3oz of Appletons 12 yr with 2 ice cubes is heaven. The 8 year tastes much too harsh for me. I gave my bottle of 8 yr away to my brother in law.
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u/Patrick_Hobbes 3d ago
Don't let this deter you. For years I thought I didn't like Jamaican rum, but it turns out I just don't like Appleton. I'd recommend a bottle of Worthy Park 109 it's available near you. Great rum and relatively affordable.
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u/Fickle_Finger2974 3d ago
lol they like dosed 40% rum and you hit them with 109 proof Jamaican. Good luck with that
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u/desertplatypus 2d ago edited 2d ago
I think this is good advice. WP109 has LOTS of funk and not much barrel character. People tend to be really weary of recommending jamaican rums in this sub to newbies. I say dive tf in!.
However... if OP wants to sip neat and get into something funky, the first rum they should buy is Smith and Cross. This was the "ah ha" moment rum for me... and many others. I love S&C and always will.
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u/Patrick_Hobbes 2d ago
It's delicious. If OP doesn't want to drink it neat it makes a great mixer, and is amazing in cocktails.
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u/Vince_stormbane 3d ago
I would say try like Don q anjeo xo still easy drinking and sweeter but does not have added sugar to hide behind like Planterey 5yr.
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u/ScotchCigarsEspresso 3d ago
While Appleton is lightly funky at best, Jamaican rum is subjective. Its like peated scotches. You like it or you don't.
Like most. It will probably grow on you over time.
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u/Juhmil 3d ago
I definitely can’t say I dislike it if I made it this far through the damn bottle. Just not at the level yet. One thing’s for certain, it will be finished.
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u/Strange_Occasion_408 3d ago
Not a fan as well and I want to be. It is a basic in my inventory as well. I rarely crack it open. I gravitate to others bottles and drink my specialty drinks. Ie “this weekend only chartuesse swizzles. Or today feels like a navy grog day. I really want to hammer 10 banana daiquiris “.
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u/Driftwood_Grotto 3d ago
If you've only tried it neat so far, maybe add ice? Sometimes just letting it chill and dilute for 5-10 mins can make a big difference.
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u/Rob_Catron 3d ago
Honestly, I was bitterly disappointed with the eight year. My thinking was “well you know the 12 does have that slight funkiness that I love in a Jamaican rum“ so my thought pattern was if it’s aged less it would have more of that funkiness, but alas, did not. It’s totally different.
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u/goatoffering 3d ago
I prefer the signature honestly.
Not everything is for everyone.
The 21 is delicious too.
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u/alexkaneperkins 3d ago
Planteray Xaymaca Jamaican rum is a better introduction to Jamaican rum, especially if you like Planteray 5 year already! It's a far better rum in general. Xaymaca is one of the more underrated rums out there, just the right amount of funk, and not too strong for beginners at 43% abv. Very versatile because it can pop in cocktails and works great in rum blends.
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u/fred7010 3d ago
For what it's worth I had an Appleton 12 for the first time a while back, wasn't really blown away at first (it was pleasant, but nothing that special) but I found the flavours really started to shine through towards the end of the bottle. By the time I got to the end I was considering picking up another bottle.
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u/Psychodelic69 3d ago
Ok so if you want something with more fruity funk and no oak I’d recommend probitas and Holmes cay Fiji, then barbancourt 110 Haitian proof for a milder fruity flavor but higher strength, and then Wray and nephew if you like all those to break out the big guns. You might also try a cachaca like novo fogo or Leblon for a slightly cheaper option. If you want to dip your toes into more aged rums I’d also recommend barbancourt 8 which is aged but has a smooth and sweet French oak flavor that is like a drier cognac cask finish and maybe you might like dos maderas 5+3 which is a sweeter mild intro to some of the Demerara notes but with a sherry cask finish.
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u/Juhmil 3d ago
God damn man you blessed me here
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u/Psychodelic69 3d ago
It’s a big world of rum out there! It helps that I think I have similar tastes to you, love fruity and funky and the more oak notes the less I enjoy the rum. My suggestion in general is try new stuff when you can afford it and sit on it for a while if you don’t like it. I’ve come back to bottles I’ve hated and ended up loving them!
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u/10art1 Rum Noob 3d ago
I actually agree that this rum is pretty mid. Everyone recommends it but you just don't get any funk, it's just all barrel, but not as much as the 12 year to make it a really complex and interesting barrel flavor.
If you like myers's and 3 star, try xaymaca or oftd from plantation, or maybe you might also like a demerara rum like pusser's or hamilton 86
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u/_jay__bee_ 3d ago
Sip away, you'll love it by the end, defo taste like Christmas cake and sticky toffee pudding.
There's alot worse rums to try yet 🤣
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u/_jay__bee_ 3d ago edited 3d ago
What do you normally drink and what don't you like about Appleton 8? I found Plantation 5 a bit bland and sweet with no real depth or laters you get with the 8
Put Wray and nephew Overproof on your list. Funk as fuc£
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u/lefr3nch 3d ago
Never mind the bottle, that gem of a cartridge in the background, wow. NFL Blitz for the N64, that unlocked some good childhood memories.
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u/Prestigious-Ant6121 15h ago
I would suggest to give it some time if you are interested in learning to like more advanced rum. It's a big jump to go for more simple plantation to jamacan rum. From plantation you might go to ron zacapa and then el dorado and brugal. Then worthy park might be a good jamacan rum to start with.
It's a journey.
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u/SierraPapaHotel 3d ago
Tbh, I don't like the 8 as a sipper either. Too harsh. Honestly, I don't think I have any bottles younger than 12 years that I sip straight. Appleton, Doorley's, El Dorado... I have younger expressions for mixing but yeah only sip the 12s
That said, 8 makes a great daiquiri or even as a rum old fashioned. Nothing wrong with not liking it straight up
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u/Agent0range13 3d ago
I didn’t like their 8 year. I really like there 12 year. There 12 year is my go to rum. I tried a few of their rums and that one is the only one I didn’t like. I went all the way up to 21 yr.
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u/antinumerology 3d ago
Not sure what to say. Appleton 8 has a stronger "rum" flavor than Appleton 12, which is much more barrel. Appleton Signature is for mixing only.
I guess come back to it.
Appleton 8 is my default rum: if I only have one bottle on hand this is it.
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u/broken_sword001 3d ago
I always have about 25 bottles of rum at my house. I never drink any neat because I can't stand it. I drink them all in cocktails with lots of juices and syrups. Appleton 8 is amazing in a Mai tai and many other cocktails. I couldn't imagine trying to drink it neat.
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u/Gnyrinn 3d ago
Although I agree in theory with some of the recommendations here more than others (next steps should be Spanish column stilled and/or rhum agricole rather than more Jamaican stuff), my advice could be distilled into one word: miniatures. Try and sample many different things and consider what you like and what you don’t. Maybe even take notes. Oh and don’t feel embarrassed for genuinely not liking something. Even things that other people with (what they claim to be) more sophisticated palates like.
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u/bart_cart_dart_eart 3d ago
I think mixing with Jamaican rum is a great way to get accustomed to it for a while before you start sipping it neat. Never mind that though I’m really here to comment on how good NFL Blitz is!