Appleton Estate

Appleton Estate is Jamaica’s oldest continuously operating sugar estate and distillery, with a history stretching back to 1749. Nestled in the Nassau Valley in the parish of St. Elizabeth, Appleton Estate is renowned for its rich, complex rums crafted entirely on-site — from growing and harvesting the sugarcane to distilling, ageing, and bottling. This single-estate approach ensures complete control over every stage of production and gives Appleton Estate rums a distinctive Jamaican character rooted in terroir.

The Nassau Valley’s unique microclimate, with its fertile limestone-rich soil, lush vegetation, and perfect balance of sunshine and rainfall, plays a central role in shaping the flavour of Appleton Estate rum. The distillery uses its own variety of sugarcane, cultivated on the estate, and draws water from a natural limestone spring, which filters the water to purity while imparting essential minerals.

Appleton Estate ferments its molasses using proprietary yeast strains that have been nurtured for decades. Fermentation can be longer than in many rum-producing countries, allowing for the development of the deep, fruity esters that are hallmarks of Jamaican rum. Distillation takes place in a combination of traditional copper pot stills, which produce heavier, more flavourful spirit, and modern column stills, which yield lighter, more elegant rum. This blend of pot and column distillates is a key element in Appleton Estate’s signature style.

Maturation occurs entirely in Jamaica, where the tropical climate accelerates ageing, meaning rums mature far more quickly than in cooler climates. The rums are aged in Number One Select American oak barrels, which previously held bourbon. Master Blender Joy Spence, the first woman in the world to hold this title, oversees the blending process, ensuring consistency and quality across the range. The tropical ageing conditions mean that a 12-year-old Appleton Estate rum has an intensity and complexity comparable to much older spirits aged in temperate climates.

The Appleton Estate core range includes:
• Signature - an approachable, fruit-forward blend with hints of dried orange peel, molasses, and warm spice.
• 8 Year Old Reserve - richer and more complex, with vanilla, banana, toasted oak, and a balanced sweetness.
• 12 Year Old Rare Casks - deep and full-bodied, offering cocoa, almond, and lingering spice notes.
• 15 Year Old Black River Casks - elegant, with dried fruit, hazelnut, and dark chocolate.
• 21 Year Old Nassau Valley Casks - a rare, luxurious bottling with layers of nutmeg, coffee, and leather.
• Limited edition single marque and vintage expressions, prized by collectors.

In flavour, Appleton Estate rums are unmistakably Jamaican: rich, vibrant, and layered, with an interplay of tropical fruit, warm spice, and earthy sweetness. They are superb neat or on the rocks, yet also shine in classic rum cocktails such as the Mai Tai, Planter’s Punch, and Jamaican Rum Old Fashioned.

Our Appleton Estate Rum selection celebrates this world-class producer’s full range, from versatile mixing rums to rare, aged treasures. Whether you’re discovering Jamaican rum for the first time or adding a prestigious bottle to your collection, Appleton Estate delivers authenticity, history, and flavour shaped by over 270 years of craft in the heart of the Caribbean.