THE SECRETS OF APPLETON RUM - JAMAICA TOURIST ISSUE 16
Nestled in the Nassau Valley in the parish of St. Elizabeth, the 11,400 acre Appleton Estate is the oldest sugar estate and distillery in Jamaica. Birthplace and home to the world famous Appleton Estate Jamaica Rums, the estate has produced the world’s finest rums since 1749. A major tourist attraction, the Appleton Estate is filled with history revolving around the production of ‘liquid gold’. While Appleton Estate’s rum is the preferred mixed drink of choice for many, connoisseurs are sipping the Estate’s finest blends ‘on the rocks’ or enjoying the luxury rums like fine cognac.
The first known documentation of rum production at Appleton Estate is dated back to 1749. However, the origin of the Estate dates back to 1655, when the English captured Jamaica from the Spaniards. Frances Dickinson, whose grandsons Caleb and Ezekiel are the earliest known owners of the Appleton Estate, took part in the British conquest of Jamaica and it is believed that Appleton Estate was part of the land grant that Dickinson received from the Crown as a reward for his services.
The unique style of Appleton Estate Jamaica Rums is due to the company’s philosophy of rum production being an art. From the selection of the varieties of sugar cane grown on the estate, the special natural culture of yeast used in fermentation, the unique distillation and blending methods, to ageing and the bottling of the rum, every step of the process is controlled by Appleton brand owner J. Wray & Nephew. The commitment to excellence in each area has led to the company’s track record of producing unique quality Appleton Estate Jamaica Rums.
While every step in the complex rum-making process is vital, aging and blending are the most essential. Rum is a spirit that improves with age and nature does not allow for shortcuts. What exactly takes place during the ageing process remains one of nature’s secrets, but it is a known fact that rum ages best in 40-gallon oak barrels. Additionally, Jamaica has the advantage of a unique phenomenon known as “Tropical Ageing” which causes rum to age quicker due to the warm climate. Rum aged for only one year in Jamaica has the same characteristics of a spirit that has been aged for two to three years in a cooler climate.
The final secret and last step in the process of making exceptional rum is the art of blending. The first woman in the world to be appointed Master Blender, Appleton Estate’s Joy Spence, uses many different types and styles of rum to create exceptional blends, much in the same way that an artist uses different colours to create a painting.
Hand-crafted, each blend in the Appleton Jamaica Rum family is made according to its very own formula, which is a closely guarded secret. Sugar cane crops, just like grapes, can vary from year to year depending on a number of factors including rainfall and temperature. To ensure the quality and consistency of each blend, the Master Blender and her team blend all of the rums according to a secret formula before they perform extensive nosing and taste tests to ensure that the blend meets the taste and aroma profile for that particular blend.
First, the Master Blender selects the barrels of rums that will be used in a particular blend based on the age, type and style of rum that it contains. Subsequently, each barrel undergoes extensive quality checks. Different rums of varying styles and ages are blended together to add its distinctive layers and contribute to the complexity and richness of each rum. After the rums are blended, extensive quality checks are carried out to ensure that the blend meets Appleton’s high quality standards. The blend is then left to rest for an extensive period of time, allowing the different rums in the blend to “marry.” This marrying process allows the character, flavour and bouquet of the rums to fuse together, resulting in a fuller and more rounded product.
Once the “marrying” period is complete, extensive quality checks are once again carried out. Upon meeting Appleton’s quality standard, the Master Blender certifies it for bottling, allowing it to be shipped around the world and enjoyed by people who appreciate the finest in rum. Below is a selection of fine award winning rums that will help you to select what best fits your taste.
APPLETON ESTATE 30 YEAR OLD JAMAICA RUM
A Limited Edition Luxury Rum from Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum
A limited edition luxury rum, only 1,440 bottles of ‘Appleton Estate 30 Year Old Jamaica Rum’ were produced. Each of the individual rums that make up the blend has been aged in oak barrels for a minimum of 30 years. Smooth, mellow and wonderfully complex, this rum has a delicate side that will surprise many rum and spirit connoisseurs.
APPLETON ESTATE 21 YEAR OLD JAMAICA RUM
A Luxury Rum in the Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum range
A rare and smooth blend of the finest aged rums, ‘Appleton Estate 21 Year Old Jamaica Rum’ will please the palate of even the most discerning rum lover. Carefully selected for the unique character, flavour and bouquet that they bring to the blend, each of the rums that make up this blend has been aged for at least 21 years.
APPLETON ESTATE EXTRA 12 YEAR OLD JAMAICA RUM
The Ultra Premium Rum in the Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum range
The rums that make up Appleton Estate Extra have been aged for a minimum of 12 years, the advantage of the ‘tropical ageing’ process gives Appleton Estate Extra 12 Year Old its unique mahogany hue, bold character and smooth taste, inviting favourable comparison to the world's finest cognacs and scotches.
APPLETON ESTATE V/X JAMAICA RUM
The Premium Rum is the Flagship Brand of the Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum
Appleton Estate V/X Jamaica Rum is the flagship brand of the Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum family. A full-bodied and medium sweet rum, this exceptional blend features 15 select aged rums. A perfect example of the famous estate rums for which Appleton is renowned throughout the world, Appleton Estate V/X Jamaica Rum boasts a warm golden colour, a rich aroma, and an exceptional taste that is mellow and ideally balanced.
With a new retail store opening in December 2010 in the Fairview Shopping Centre, Montego Bay, rum lovers will be able to select from the full range of J. Wray & Nephew Limited brands including the Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum range and Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum. The store will also showcase many brands that are not readily available in local supermarkets, such as Dom Perignon, Moet & Chandon, Richard Hennessy Limited Editions, Appleton Estate 30 Year Old Jamaica Rum and other premium collections. An extensive range of local and imported wines and spirits will also be available.
Visit the new store at Shop #7, Fairview Shopping Centre Phase II, open Monday to Saturday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Opening December 2010.
The first known documentation of rum production at Appleton Estate is dated back to 1749. However, the origin of the Estate dates back to 1655, when the English captured Jamaica from the Spaniards. Frances Dickinson, whose grandsons Caleb and Ezekiel are the earliest known owners of the Appleton Estate, took part in the British conquest of Jamaica and it is believed that Appleton Estate was part of the land grant that Dickinson received from the Crown as a reward for his services.
The unique style of Appleton Estate Jamaica Rums is due to the company’s philosophy of rum production being an art. From the selection of the varieties of sugar cane grown on the estate, the special natural culture of yeast used in fermentation, the unique distillation and blending methods, to ageing and the bottling of the rum, every step of the process is controlled by Appleton brand owner J. Wray & Nephew. The commitment to excellence in each area has led to the company’s track record of producing unique quality Appleton Estate Jamaica Rums.
While every step in the complex rum-making process is vital, aging and blending are the most essential. Rum is a spirit that improves with age and nature does not allow for shortcuts. What exactly takes place during the ageing process remains one of nature’s secrets, but it is a known fact that rum ages best in 40-gallon oak barrels. Additionally, Jamaica has the advantage of a unique phenomenon known as “Tropical Ageing” which causes rum to age quicker due to the warm climate. Rum aged for only one year in Jamaica has the same characteristics of a spirit that has been aged for two to three years in a cooler climate.
The final secret and last step in the process of making exceptional rum is the art of blending. The first woman in the world to be appointed Master Blender, Appleton Estate’s Joy Spence, uses many different types and styles of rum to create exceptional blends, much in the same way that an artist uses different colours to create a painting.
Hand-crafted, each blend in the Appleton Jamaica Rum family is made according to its very own formula, which is a closely guarded secret. Sugar cane crops, just like grapes, can vary from year to year depending on a number of factors including rainfall and temperature. To ensure the quality and consistency of each blend, the Master Blender and her team blend all of the rums according to a secret formula before they perform extensive nosing and taste tests to ensure that the blend meets the taste and aroma profile for that particular blend.
First, the Master Blender selects the barrels of rums that will be used in a particular blend based on the age, type and style of rum that it contains. Subsequently, each barrel undergoes extensive quality checks. Different rums of varying styles and ages are blended together to add its distinctive layers and contribute to the complexity and richness of each rum. After the rums are blended, extensive quality checks are carried out to ensure that the blend meets Appleton’s high quality standards. The blend is then left to rest for an extensive period of time, allowing the different rums in the blend to “marry.” This marrying process allows the character, flavour and bouquet of the rums to fuse together, resulting in a fuller and more rounded product.
Once the “marrying” period is complete, extensive quality checks are once again carried out. Upon meeting Appleton’s quality standard, the Master Blender certifies it for bottling, allowing it to be shipped around the world and enjoyed by people who appreciate the finest in rum. Below is a selection of fine award winning rums that will help you to select what best fits your taste.
APPLETON ESTATE 30 YEAR OLD JAMAICA RUM
A Limited Edition Luxury Rum from Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum
A limited edition luxury rum, only 1,440 bottles of ‘Appleton Estate 30 Year Old Jamaica Rum’ were produced. Each of the individual rums that make up the blend has been aged in oak barrels for a minimum of 30 years. Smooth, mellow and wonderfully complex, this rum has a delicate side that will surprise many rum and spirit connoisseurs.
APPLETON ESTATE 21 YEAR OLD JAMAICA RUM
A Luxury Rum in the Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum range
A rare and smooth blend of the finest aged rums, ‘Appleton Estate 21 Year Old Jamaica Rum’ will please the palate of even the most discerning rum lover. Carefully selected for the unique character, flavour and bouquet that they bring to the blend, each of the rums that make up this blend has been aged for at least 21 years.
APPLETON ESTATE EXTRA 12 YEAR OLD JAMAICA RUM
The Ultra Premium Rum in the Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum range
The rums that make up Appleton Estate Extra have been aged for a minimum of 12 years, the advantage of the ‘tropical ageing’ process gives Appleton Estate Extra 12 Year Old its unique mahogany hue, bold character and smooth taste, inviting favourable comparison to the world's finest cognacs and scotches.
APPLETON ESTATE V/X JAMAICA RUM
The Premium Rum is the Flagship Brand of the Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum
Appleton Estate V/X Jamaica Rum is the flagship brand of the Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum family. A full-bodied and medium sweet rum, this exceptional blend features 15 select aged rums. A perfect example of the famous estate rums for which Appleton is renowned throughout the world, Appleton Estate V/X Jamaica Rum boasts a warm golden colour, a rich aroma, and an exceptional taste that is mellow and ideally balanced.
With a new retail store opening in December 2010 in the Fairview Shopping Centre, Montego Bay, rum lovers will be able to select from the full range of J. Wray & Nephew Limited brands including the Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum range and Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum. The store will also showcase many brands that are not readily available in local supermarkets, such as Dom Perignon, Moet & Chandon, Richard Hennessy Limited Editions, Appleton Estate 30 Year Old Jamaica Rum and other premium collections. An extensive range of local and imported wines and spirits will also be available.
Visit the new store at Shop #7, Fairview Shopping Centre Phase II, open Monday to Saturday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Opening December 2010.
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