Appleton Estate Hearts
This small collection of reviews is of the 3 initial Appleton Estate Hearts collection, the 26 year 1994, the 25 year 1995, and the 21 year 1999. All 3 are a special release collaboration between Luca Gargano of Velier and Joy Spence of Appleton rums. These are all single marque, multi cask blends that are 100% pot still and 100% tropically aged. All that out of the way let’s see how each held up.
Appleton Estate 1994 Hearts (26 Year)
ABV: 60%
Nose: Fruits jump off the nose, rich raspberries, mango, Nutmeg, Crisp Red Grapes, Leather, Banana, Pear Skin, Black Pepper, slight floral touch.
Palate: Thick oily mouthfeel, Star Anise, Raspberry, Black Pepper, Tannins, Leather, Crisp Red Grape, Floral, Lemon Zest, Nutmeg
Finish: Long finish, Raspberry, Apple Peel, Black Pepper, Red Grape, Lemon Zest, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Mango.
Rating: 9/10
Incredibly balanced, bursting with fruit and spices, heat and oak are well behaved and add to the experience. Simply one of the best rums I have ever had.
Appleton Estate 1995 Hearts (25 Year)
ABV: 63%
Nose: Cream brûlée, Raspberry Compote, Strawberry, Banana, Apple Skin, Oak Spice, Tannins
Palate: Thick oily Mouthfeel, Star Anise, Crème brûlée, Strawberry Jam, Cinnamon, Banana
Finish: Long finish, Tannins, Star Anise, Crème brûlée ,Stawberry Jam, Cinnamon, Touch of heat, Tannins
Rating: 7/10
A great rum, rich fruits and spices dominate much like the 1994. However, it is held back by being a bit heavy handed with the oak and the heat is a bit unbalanced popping up aggressively on occasion.
Appleton Estate Hearts 1999 (21 Year)
ABV: 63%
Nose: Cinnamon, Star Anise, Black Pepper, Passionfruit, Allspice, Toasted Coconut, Vanilla Chai
Palate: Medium length finish, Star Anise, Toasted Coconut, Passionfruit, Black Pepper,
Finish: Medium length finish, Star Anise, Toasted Coconut, Black Pepper, Passionfruit, Cinnamon
Rating: 6/10
A very good rum, Juicy, Fruity, and spicy. The fruits are not as varied as the other 2 vintages nor is it as complex but it is still a very good and wonderful rum, it just does not rise to as great of heights as the 1994 and 1995.
Conclusion: Overall, this is a great release from Appleton, these very old tropically aged rums show how magical Appleton’s stocks are. With how popular Appleton already is in the market, we can only hope that someday they release more offerings akin to this, but perhaps not as premium and limited in terms of release. But I would be happy to own or drink any of these releases, but the 1994 is just a magical rum.
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite
10 | Perfect | Perfect
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