Style: Pot-distilled molasses rum
Age: 29 and 20 years, respectively
Proof: 126 (63% ABV)
Region: Jamaica
Among rum enthusiasts, Jamaica is one of the most revered rum-producing regions. Jamaica is best known for its strong, funky, molasses-based, pot still rums. Among the distilleries on the island, Appleton Estate is by far the best-known globally. Their portfolio contains many affordable and approachable expressions that are staples behind any bar. But despite the brand’s ubiquity, Appleton Estate still produces some high-octane rum including one of our favorite releases of the year, Appleton Estate 17 Legend.
The distillery’s most premium expressions, the Appleton Estate Hearts Collection, is a selection of 100% pot distilled, single estate, Caribbean-aged, cask-strength rums that are among the oldest, and most richly flavored spirits the distillery produces.
This year, the brand announced two new expressions distilled in 1993 and 2002. For rums aged in the hot, humid climate of Jamaica, that’s an extreme amount of barrel aging. Let’s find out if these two new additions to the Hearts Collection are worth hunting down.
Tasting notes
Hearts Collection 2002 has a rich, fragrant aroma that offers up notes of caramelized pineapple, mango juice, vanilla, and that ripe funkiness characteristic of Jamaican rums. The palate is nothing short of immense. The barrel age is immediately apparent with notes of butterscotch, ripe banana, baking spice, and a hint of smoke. The velvety mouthfeel is nothing short of luscious, it coats the mouth with a mango juice. Unsurprisingly, the finish is long and satisfying with notes of caramel, mango, ripe pineapple, and allspice.
The 1993 expression of the Hearts Collection has nine more years of age on it, and it shows. The nose has more notes of caramel and vanilla than the funky fruit-forward 2002, though it’s still unmistakably a pot-distilled rum with overripe fruit hovering right below the oakyness. On the palate, there’s much more of a tannic, drying influence. It’s reminiscent of freshly torched creme brulee and bananas foster with a slightly salty note on the back end. The finish is lengthy but dry with notes of tannic oak, warm spice, and a muted vanilla.
Final thoughts
These two new additions to the Appleton Estate Hearts Collection are both well-crafted and tasty rums. Sampled side-by-side, it’s clear that both will appeal to different types of drinkers. The 2002 expression has an unabashed, fruity, funk that any hardcore rum fanatic would find extremely pleasing. It’s juicy, fragrant, and has all of the “hogo” that aficionados love in Jamaican rums. Hearts Collection 1993 is far oakier. It’s not overaged, but I could easily see this rum appealing to drinkers who mainly enjoy bourbon whiskeys of ample age, for example, the Knob Creek 18, and the more deeply matured expressions from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. Either way, these rums are both satisfying and delicious and offer dramatically different drinking experiences. If you’re inclined to hunt down bottles like these and invest in a special bottle, you can’t go wrong with either expression.
