Any rum devotee would love to score this pair of vintage Jamaican rums by Appleton Estate.
These limited edition rums mark the 6th and 7th release of Appleton’s Hearts Collection since the series launch in 2020. This Hearts series explores the flavors procured from extra-aged pot stilled Jamaican rums, and these latest vintage bottlings were casked in 1993 and 2002. Previous Hearts Collection releases include 1994, 1995, 1999, 1984, and 2003.
What's In The Bottle?
Master Blender Joy Spence and rum guru Luca Gargano chose 13 rum barrels aged 29 years and laid down in 1993, totaling 3600 bottles. The second bottling is 20 casks of rum laid down 20 years ago in 2003, yielding 5,700 bottles. These vintage rums are born of a single marque (a single-recipe distillate) and cooked in a Forsyth pot still before aging in Jamaica’s tropical environment for decades.
“Rums aged in tropical climates develop richer, fuller flavors much more quickly than spirits aged at cooler climates,” says Appleton Estates Master Blender Joy Spence. “So when you taste a rum aged for over 20 years like our new releases from the Hearts Collection, it’s a really extraordinary experience.”
The 1993 bottling retails for $300, and the 2002 expression MSRP is $220. Both rums are 80 proof (40% ABV).
“I had long dreamed of releasing single vintage selections from Appleton Estate, so it’s been amazing to see the warm reception the Hearts Collection releases receive year after year, all around the world.”
—Appleton Estate Master Blender, Joy Spence
How Does It Taste?
Company Tasting notes: The Hearts Collection 1993 opens with aromas of nutmeg and cinnamon, mingled with hints of mint, warm butterscotch, toasted oak, and honeyed vanilla. In the Hearts Collection 2002, you’ll find notes of vibrant orange blossoms wrapped with molasses, warm vanilla, medium-roasted coffee, and caramel, with a rich, smooth, honeyed taste on the palate.
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