Appleton Estate Joy Anniversary Blend

Attended a friend's birthday bash recently, kicking off with a private movie showing followed by a get-together. The host had a "full" bar with some dream-worthy bottles. Though I could sample freely, I kept it to eight pours due to work the next day. First up was Joy Blend. Let's dive in! Nose: Intense caramel syrup mingling with concentrated vanilla. Sweet nail polish notes. Toffee. Aromatic tobacco. Tropical wood finish scent. Palate: Mirrors the nose exactly. Oily. Rich. Delightful. Experiencing this spirit while breathing in its wonderfully fragrant vapors felt almost surreal. Finish: Lingering. The wood's presence is definite. A tobacco oil film remains on the tongue. If tasted blind, this could easily be mistaken for a well-matured, expertly crafted, harmonized honey-barrel bourbon. I was already starting to shift my less than favorable opinion on rums after trying Doorly’s 12Yr…and this particular pour…tipped the scales completely. I'm practically a convert! You've convinced me! I'm not switching allegiances, but I will happily enjoy a fine, aged rum when my palate craves something other than whiskey. As noted, I sampled this with a few others. Below are my initial impressions and approximate rankings for the remainder of my selections for the day... Cheers! Individual Scores 1 - Joy Blend: 4.25 - 4.5 stars Fantastic! Wonderful nose, palate, and finish…delicious! Totally altered my view on rum. Worth seeking out. Purchase immediately. 2 - Hakushi 18Yr: 4 - 4.25 stars Elegant nose, elegant palate, decent finish…traditional. 3A - Makers Mark Private Select (LA Whisky Womxn barrel select): Solid 4 stars Balanced nose, balanced palate, pleasing finish. Might be influenced by brand recognition. Could realistically be the best of the evening in a blind tasting. Worth seeking out (if the exact stave combination and barrel selection can be identified). 3B - Parker’s Heritage Promise of Hope - 3.75 - 4 stars Traditional bourbon nose, palate, and finish…all exceptionally done. 5 - Glendronach 21Yr Parliament: 3.75 - 4 stars Classic sherry nose and palate. The first taste was just okay, but subsequent sips revealed a balanced, well-integrated sherry powerhouse. Pleasant finish. Requires further exploration. 6 - Cowboy Balmorhea: 3 - 3.5 stars Potent nose, potent palate, potent finish. [An acquired taste] a flavor explosion. Not for the timid. A hit or miss item worth seeking out. 7 - Parker’s Heritage Cognac Finish: 2 - 2.25 stars Confused nose, confused palate, confused finish…overall seemed erratic, out of balance, and poorly integrated. Potentially a victim of a hasty, last-minute tasting towards the end of the night. Surprisingly my least favorite of the evening. 8 - Michter’s Single Barrel 10Yr: No rating Smelled, tasted, and finished like a well-made rye, but nothing stood out. To be fair, my palate was likely fatigued by this point. Needs to be revisited.

My initial foray into spirits involved aged rums due to their affordability. I felt I was getting a good deal with rums aged over 15 years for under $50, but many proved excessively sweet. My rum consumption declined upon transitioning to whiskey and other spirits, not out of dislike, but due to a perceived lack of complexity. However, Jamaican rums, with their characteristic funk and balanced sweetness, remain an occasional indulgence. Therefore, I was compelled to try this rum, despite its high cost, which I found to be entirely justified. The aroma begins with tropical fruit and molasses. The palate echoes the molasses, delivering a rich coating of vanilla, banana, and light oak (less pronounced than Appleton 21yr). The typical Jamaican rum funk is significantly subdued, though this is not a criticism. Unlike many heavily aged rums, it avoids excessive oakiness and sweetness, presenting as quite dry. The finish is impressive, lingering for a considerable time with only a minor warmth upon swallowing. Joy Spence is undeniably one of the most skilled master blenders, and this rum is truly exceptional. Having tasted only a few rums superior to this, I will rate it 4.75 rather than a perfect 5, but it is outstanding regardless.

The nose is dominated by vanilla, with some oak and a faint bacon note at the back. The taste is heavily oaked, more than I prefer, accompanied by abundant baking spice. Vanilla reappears after this fades. Strong tannins on the palate create a drying sensation. A subtle banana funk (which others might perceive as citrus) persists for a long time, followed by a return of vanilla.

After leaving Attaboy, we went to Copper and Oak where my companion and I each had 1 oz pours of this and El Tesoro 80, swapping halfway through. Excellent rum with hints of Cherry Cola, Banana, Pineapple, Plantains, Caramel, Citrus, Grass, and a touch of the Jamaican funk Hampden Estate is known for.

When considering premium rums, this must rank among the best. The nose is comparable to the AE 21, but more refined. Notes of chocolate and tobacco are distinctly apparent. The palate delivers sweeter, richer flavors with a finish as smooth as silk. A premier spirit.

Up to now, the pinnacle of rums. Cheers to Joy Spence for creating this blend. Absolutely exceptional. The finest bottle in my liquor collection. Flavors of caramel and vanilla. Smooooooth! A slight touch of heat initially, but it feels appropriate. Stellar rum! Waiting to find a better rum....