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The whiskey renaissance has done a lot to help the aged rum industry. The success of Scotch, bourbon, rye and other whiskies has led to more consumers discovering other aged spirits. “Whiskey has opened the dark spirits market to more consumers that are discovering these rich brown liquids earlier in life, and who are being adventurous with their choices,” says Appleton Estate Master Blender Joy Spence.
Today, consumers are also reaching for genuine products that they feel like they can connect with. “Today’s dark spirits consumer is also a lot more gender neutral and no longer are dark spirits earmarked as a man’s drink, but more women than ever are enjoying whiskeys and rums,” says Spence.
These shifts, combined with whiskey’s current success, has left the door wide open to new consumers who are looking to elevate their drinking occasion with something special. “All of this has caused a ripple effect for premium aged rums, such as Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum, and the premium rum category.”
Why Whiskey Drinkers Should Try Premium Rums
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Spence always tells people that they should give premium aged rum a try because if they don’t then they don’t know what they are missing. “The production of premium rums like our Appleton Estate range is carefully managed throughout the entire process, but the unique character of Appleton Estate Rums is the result of several elements working together: The unique terroir of the Nassau Valley, the variety of sugar cane that we use, our fermentation, distillation, ageing processes and finally through blending, where we combine several different types and styles of rum of varying ages and thus are able to create spirits with amazing complexity and depth of flavor.”
Sipping Jamaican Rum Is Similar To Sipping Whiskey
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Whiskey stalwarts are realizing that they can enjoy Jamaican rums in much the same way as their favorite whiskey. “The higher end variants in the Appleton Estate range, such as Appleton Estate Rare Blend 12 Year Old, Appleton Estate 21 Year Old Jamaica Rum, are best enjoyed neat, over ice or with a splash of water just as you would a high end whiskey.” Aged rums are smooth, mellow, and complex. “Sipping an Appleton Estate 12 Year Old or 21 Year Old while looking up at the stars on a beautiful night in Jamaica is heaven,” says Spence. Other Jamaican rums include: Myers, Blackwell, Mezan, Smith and Cross, Smatt’s, Hampden and Coruba.
Rum is considered to be one of the most versatile spirits and can be enjoyed on its own or in myriad cocktails. “Jamaica is renowned the world over for producing rum of exceptional quality and the Appleton Estate range is a reflection of the pride and passion that Jamaicans, and in particular the employees who work at the Appleton Estate, have in our rum.”
Rum has a special place in Spence’s heart and she believes that if you give it a chance you’ll feel the same. “I would encourage everyone to try each of the variants in our range as I am sure that they will find an Appleton Estate rum that is perfect for them.”
