Appleton Estate Reserve 8 Year Old Jamaican Rum
Appleton Estate 8 Year Old Reserve Rum is Jamaica's defining aged rum — 750mL at 43% ABV (86 proof), a blend of pot and column still rums aged a minimum of eight years in the tropical heat of the Nassau Valley — and you can order it online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 43% (86 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: Minimum 8 years tropical aging in American white oak (ex-bourbon) barrels
- Still: Copper pot still + column still distillates, married on the estate
- Origin: Jamaica — Appleton Estate, Nassau Valley; estate since 1749
- Master Blender: Joy Spence — first woman appointed Master Blender at a major rum house
Eight Years of Jamaican Sunshine
This is the current-label flagship that replaced the old Reserve Blend: released for the distillery's 250th anniversary, it was crafted by Master Blender Joy Spence as the fullest expression of the Appleton house style — estate-grown sugarcane, limestone-filtered water, no added flavors, and a tropical maturation that works the wood harder than any mainland warehouse ever could. The result is the rum Jamaica measures itself against. Browse the rum collection at Del Mesa Liquor, compare it with other aged rums, or explore everything from Appleton Estate.
Tasting Notes
Brilliant honeyed bronze in the glass, with the estate's signature subtle green ring of ageing. The nose opens with spicy fruit and oak — honey, vanilla, warm holiday spice and Appleton's trademark orange peel. The palate is rich and rounded with molasses depth; the finish is exceptionally smooth and balanced, lingering on warm oak and molasses.
How to Enjoy
Neat or over a single large cube after dinner — this is a sipping rum by design. It also anchors a truly serious rum Old Fashioned, where the orange-peel character shines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ABV of Appleton Estate 8 Year Old Reserve?
43% ABV (86 proof) — note that older "Reserve Blend" bottlings were 40%; the current 8 Year Old Reserve label is 43%.
Is Appleton Estate 8 Year Old Reserve the same as Reserve Blend?
It is the successor: Appleton rebranded its Reserve Blend to 8 Year Old Reserve with new packaging for the distillery's 250th anniversary, bottling at a higher 43% ABV.
Who is the Master Blender at Appleton Estate?
Joy Spence, the first woman appointed Master Blender at a major rum house; she crafted the 8 Year Old Reserve blend.
Where is Appleton Estate rum made?
At Appleton Estate in Jamaica's Nassau Valley, where the estate has distilled rum since 1749 using copper pot and column stills.
The benchmark of Jamaican aged rum — order Appleton Estate 8 Year Old Reserve online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.