Aroma visualization from community tastings
Appleton Rare Casks 12 Years
Oak, vanilla and caramel do the heavy lifting here, with a soft banana note and just a whisper of Jamaican funk in the background. Members call it a "Jamaican with manners" — rounder and less estery than a Hampden, with dried fruit, cocoa and warm baking spice. Many treat it as their daily sipper; the one recurring gripe is that 43% keeps it feeling a touch light.
The community says- Well-rounded oak
- Easy sipper
- But: Light at 43%
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The look inside the bottle
How does Appleton Rare Casks 12 Years taste?
Aggregated from 324 community reviews.
Rounded, oaky Jamaican with gentle funk Widely loved as a well-rounded, oak-forward Jamaican that sips easily and shines in a Mai Tai. Most wish it hit harder — the 43% and quiet esters leave funk fans wanting more.
People wanting a rounded, oaky Jamaican without heavy funk
Funk chasers who want big Hampden-style esters and higher proof
How the community classifies this rum. Each category takes you to similar rums.
Which glass for which rum? The community guide →
98 of 324 left detailed tasting impressions · Click an aroma to explore similar rums
Recommendation
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One difference each to this rum.
Rated better
DDL El Dorado 15 (2020 Release)
8.0/1046 €
Milder
Appleton 15 Years Black River Casks
7.9/1058 €
Similar rating, cheaper
Appleton Reserve
7.5/1030 €First choice: 49 of 69 tasters who tried both prefer it.
How is Appleton Rare Casks 12 Years rated?
RumX’s 0–10 scale is strict: 7.7 sits in the “Good” band. 80% of tasters rate it Good or better; only 0% rate it below average. See the full rating guide →
Community voices
What does the community say?
66% rate it between 6 and 8. 46 selected write-ups from 324 community ratings. You can view the complete list in our app.
One of the community's most-rated rums
Review by Stefan Persson
Appleton is a nice rum when you want a round and less funky Jamaican compared to the other brands from there. The nose is soft and fruity with aromas of caramel, coffee, leather, banana and orange. At the palate it’s fruity, full bodied, woody, nutty, spicy and a little funky with flavors of dark chocolate, oak and vanilla. The finish is medium long and round with flavors of coffee.
Review by LukaŽiga
Most helpful positive review
8,3:On the nose, we have all Jamaican markers combined with sweetness: ether, glue, vanilla, orange, grapes, plums, mango, banana, passion fruit and walnut. The whole is complex, yet easy to drink. Very tempting... 8,0:On the palate, the attack is supple without being to sweet.Notes from the nose are present, some caramel added. A certain woodiness accompanies vanilla and orange peel. The whole is not devoid of vivacity. 8,0:The fairly long vanilla-dominated finish reveals a touch of cocoa, some black tea.A wisp of caramel bitterness crawls in, now a touch less rounded. Generally well rounded, nose great, as a whole better than 21, more Jamaican, but finish-still very good, not on the nose level. Edit:18.4.26
Review by Henning
Most helpful critical review
Rund aber flach, bleibt wenig Geschmack hängen. Holz, und Gewürztöne. Gut trinkbar aber Langweilig. Hier hätte ich mehr erwartet und bin von Appelton deutlich eher meinen Geschmack gewöhnt. Keine Fehler aber nichts für mich
Review by Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰
This one is better than the regular 12 year old and a very nice surprise. I also like the shape of the bottle. Oak from nose to finish, very fresh with fruits and spices. This is a sipper and not a mixer. Price to quality is very good.
Review by Tim
Toller Einsteigerrum, der harmonische und runde Aromen hat. Früchte (ganz schwach Ester) Karamell, Holz, Gewürze. Auch im Mund und Abgang mit ähnlichen Aromen, wobei etwas Tabak und Erde hinzukommt. Einziger Kritikpunkt ist natürlich die Verdünnung. Ein Rum mit Fasscharakter.
Review by Adrian Wahl
Really solid Jamaican. For me, however, more of a mixer. 74/100
Review by Joachim Guger
Let it be said up front, I am an Appleton fan.Nice flavor profile. Dried fruit, banana, perfect wood ripeness, spice and at the end the potstill portion with solvent. Complex.Also has something fresh like an Agricole.The 43% limit the potential, if you want more, you should reach for the 2003, this resembles it the most.At 25€ a bargain and a Gästerum, for which you do not have to be embarrassed and to which I myself like to reach.😉 Super in the Daiquiri.🍸The bottle is also really nice.
Review by Martin Ekrt
I have another gift in the form of this bottle. Light aromas of banana, vanilla, barrel, nuts and a subtle taste of Jamaican esters. Silky flavours of vanilla, tropical fruit, cask, light esters and finishes with more dried fruit and caramel. The perfect unpretentious rum for everyone.
Review by abaker-rum
This is one of my go to mixing rums so I rate it a bit higher than perhaps the individual shipping taste deserves. That said it is still a very good rum with a great pineapple and caramel nose that continues into the palate adding wood and spices from the aging. It has a short bust flavorful finish.
Review by Louis Zimmermann
Une excellente porte d’entrée dans l’univers des rhums jamaïcains. Celui-ci livre les marqueurs typiques que l’on attend, avec des notes de fruits tropicaux et une douceur apportée par ses 43% (même si certains pourront trouver cela un peu léger). Il permet de poser les bases avec justesse. Son seul petit défaut, à mes yeux, est un manque de vivacité, mais pour le rôle qu’on lui attribue, il remplit parfaitement sa mission.
Review by Gregor
It is not particularly exciting
Review by rum_sk
I have old bottle of AE12 that I want to compare side by side but it seems either same or very similar. The smell and taste of this rum is a synonym of word rum. If somebody utters word rum, this is the taste and smell I immediately recollect. There is supposedly certain amount of esters but it is very low and hidden behind a sophisticated smell and taste. In both 👅 and 👃 you get wood, vanilla, cocoa, raisins, sour fruit like lemon or green apple, nicely balanced sweetness with spicy notes of pepper. This is simply one of my most favorite rums out there, especially for a fabulous price. 18.3.2023 I need to remedy a bad riise taste so I had fo reach out for verified good rum. 28.5.24: Pulling a 0.2 down to align with new rums that I tried and find better or on the same level.
Review by Rumpalumpa
Einfach nur wunderbar diese Kombination von leichtem Jamaica Funk auf Basis von klassischen karamelligen, süßen Rum Noten, die den meisten andere Jamaikanern meiner Meinung nach fehlen. Perfekter Einstieg in Jamaika Rum.
Review by HenryL
In the nose spicier and more complex than the Appleton 8, but not quite as pleasing.In the mouth similar, a nice chocolate note resonates and develops in the finish to a chocolaty coffee bean.Ene great mix of the for me classic Jamaica profile and Foursquare. Super entry into Jamaica, also exciting with a somewhat herbal note in addition to the spices.Who stands on wood is better off with the 12er, who likes it a little sweeter and fruity should reach for the 8er. With me it depends on the mood which I prefer.
Review by Gerbes
Even though I usually prefer rums from continental South America, this Jamaican rum is good. There seems to be relatively low sweetness, more spiciness buy still well rounded experience.
Review by Jarrod Smith
Tasting side by side with the 8 year, this is a lot more enjoyable. Almost no alcohol taste. More wood, and a beautiful mouthfeel.
Review by crazyforgoodbooze
Very tasty and round Appleton. Typical roast aromas and banana / caramel chocolate with a nice wood influence! Something bitter in the finish but top PLV.
Review by Rumbaer
Mein 100ster Rum und Meilenstein :-) und dann ist der so so gut. Die Nase schon schöner Jamaika Funk, ein ganzer Obstkorb, überreife Banane und ganz viel Holz. Am Gaumen setzt sich das fort und ich finde ihn super angenehm zu trinken. I love it :-)
Review by Decky Hicks Doughty
The nose is quite nutty, almonds mainly. There's also caramel and wood. Not too fruity or funky. Burnt dark sugar dominates the palate but tobacco and oak keep things from being too sweet. The finish is medium to long and has lots of chilled out oak and espresso coffee notes. It's a good rum to relax with. Nothing to shocking but the quality is there.
Review by Filip Šikula
Je příjemný, že i tyhle základnější appletony jsou pořád velmi fajn. V nose je to pořád esterová jamajka, s ovocem a dubem. V puse je dominantní právě ten dub. Sneslo by to míň ředění a vyšší abv, ale svoji cílovku jistě má.
Review by Michael Ihmels 🇩🇪
Here again a relatively tasty Appleton Estatet. Very fruity on the nose and in the taste, but more like dried fruit. But also a little spice and wood to recognize. Definitely to be recommended again
Review by Abrahan Reyes
I would love to have the other 12-year expression in hand to try side by side. I couldn't detect much difference from what I remember and perceived. It's still very pleasant and easy to drink. Interestingly, I noticed an aftertaste that somehow resembles sugarcane juice rum.
Review by Emilien
1 ère dégustation. Sipping sans problème. Valeur sûr face à l'inconnue. Prix d'achat 42€. Mais pour une soirée mémorable,il faudra un autre rhum. 2 ème dégustation : après coup,il est quand même pas mal. Très bon sipping rhum. ,je relève la note à au moins 7,5(précédemment 7). Nez :chocolat ,un peu boisé et très légèrement noix Bouche chocolat,très léger caramel, mélasse ,doux , épicé ( petit kick sympathique) Finale: chocolat, legé boisé. Conclusion:je conseille pour les amateurs de rhum sucré(sans en abuser)/chocolaté. Passé un très bon moment avec.
Review by Michal S
Ok a rum that smells better than it tastes.
Review by Jakob Deiner
Sehr angenehmer, einladender, rummiger, würziger, vielseitiger Geruch. Im Geschmack fruchtig, gleichzeitig holzig, würzig und ein wohlig warmer Abgang ganz ohne Brennen. Pur sicher einer meiner Favoriten unter den eher trockenen Rums. Im Rum Mule genial, beste den ich bisher hatte, noch vor Goslings. Drinks: - Pur: 4.5/5 - Rum Fashioned: 3.5/5 - Rum Cola: 4/5 - Rum Mule: 5/5 - Rum Punch: 4/5
Review by Giuseppe Ambrosio
Al naso molto live, come pure al palato. Forse la nota alcolica essendo bassa non si esprime bene. Riassaggiato anche il giorno dopo e l’impressione e’ la stessa, un prodotto non nelle mie corde. (PS: la votazione, come le impressioni, sono prettamente personali)
Review by w00tAN
Beautiful round Jamaican
Review by pavlix vipax
Ešte neviem, vo vôni lepšie asi ako čokoľvek, ale v chuti celkom silné, stipkavejsie, whiskovejsie, ešte treba dať šancu, olejové silné, dobre, nejaké ovocie na záver marakuja, krémové uhladené, čokoláda, jemne stipnutie, kratší záver , vôňa sladká, estery, karamel, v chuti celkom kompkex
Review by VitaliiZaichuk
Legend Jamaica)
Review by Rum Runner Labs - Will
My first shot at sitting down and discovering a sipping rum was not a disappointment; the prominent oak and vanilla notes stuck out on the nose, but citrus and banana showed up in the mouth. Really pleasant woody finish. Tasted along side Bacardi Reserva Ocho. 2023-06-16 Alongside Doorly’s 12 tastes more interesting. Refractometer: 15.4% brix
Review by TheTobias
The cask influence is rather low despite 12 years of aging with a actually like very much. The fruity site is on the focus of this rum. I love this balance and prefer it over other longer aged rums (eg Doorlys 12).
Review by Jan Králík
I have to say that this rum is beautifully smooth and balanced in taste. There are nutty, vanilla and citrus notes. The citrus is quite acidic and I find that I can also smell sour apple and that doesn't really suit me.
Review by Anonymous
The stems in the glass flow slowly, the body is oily. High saturation and intensity of aroma. No alcoholic aroma. If you leave it, it develops. The taste is just as intense and rich, largely repeating the notes of the aroma. If you open it over time it changes for the better. One of the cases when the quality exceeds the price (in our country it is quite inexpensive, there are promotions for this rum). Of the minuses, I don’t like the large amount of dye; I would like to see the natural color of this rum.
Review by Smighty
Well rounded rum. Love the color and the aftertaste. Not too spicy. The kick is a bit harsher but pleasant. Would i recommend it - yes.
Review by Alan Bertoli
È stata davvero una piacevole sorpresa questo rum perché pur essendo economico mantiene comunque un ottimo livello di qualità. Al naso e al palato si sentono le note di un rum jamaicano più educato rispetto al solito, placate dai sentori derivanti dal legno. Molto bello. Nel finale spunta una nota di chiodo di garofano bellissima.
Review by Stan Hardy
toller Einsteiger Rum, aber auch für Fortgeschrittene ein Genuss. Wer sich an zuckerfreie Jamaikaner heranwagen möchte, ist hier goldrichtig. Eine gute Anti-Zucker und Pro Jamaika-Kur könnte folgendermaßen aussehen: Zuerst der Canerock , danach der Appelton 12 und im Anschluss der Rumclub Red Barel, oder Hampden 8J.
Review by Olimpia1936
Un entry level di livello, 12 anni tropicali, cosa vuoi di più con 40 euro? Top
Review by Krogulczyk
Thats a fantastic rum for it’s price. Its really worth a money and bottleworthy for sure. Sadly, esters step aside in favor of the barrel aldehydes and notes of spice. But thats okay, its still a very good value for. money rum that is one of the most complex rums in this price range. Reccomended
Review by Ian Gilman
Another great expression from Appleton that elevates rum-forward cocktails (e.g., rum old fashioned or daiquiri with demarara syrup) and can be happily sipped. It doesn’t have the punch of a Hampden or Long Pond, but represents a very well-rounded rum aged nicely.
Review by dantoupin@shaw.ca
Vanilla and pepper spice. Smooth and tingles. Medium legs, long finish.
Review by passlemix
Nez typiquement jamaïcain très sympa. En bouche c'est malheureusement trop dilué mais un rapport qualité prix au top pour qui veut des gorgées un peu moins onéreuses.
Review by Alexandre Rolin
Nice rum for the price. An entry-level Jamaican classic.
Review by Rum, jazz and cigars
Would pair great with a nice cigar
Review by Unanswered Prayer
as someone who rarely drinks cocktails, i naturally tasted this rum neat. it was almost exactly what i expected, but perhaps with less funk than i predicted, and more maple notes from the oak influence. the appleton 12 is a classic for a reason. it checks off all the boxes for what makes a traditional rum what it is: caramels, chocolates, baking spices, woodiness, some tropical influence, and the unmistakable flavor of a molasses-based distillate. if someone told me that this was a rum from barbados, i would believe them, if not for the label. that being said, its quality is a step down from your general foursquare rum, which is the first distillery that comes to mind when comparing these flavor profiles. a solid rum. not perfect, but it delivers.
Review by Filip Kalinovský
Nejsem zrovna fanda Appletonu, ale rekl bych ze na prehod nebo na start do rumoveho sveta je vic nez dostacujici. Pekna voltaz, diky ni plnejsi vune i chut. Koreni, susene tropicke ovoce, dubu je ram celkem dost. Vhodne na vecer ke grilu a popijeni s prateli.
Review by Pawel Furman
However, Jamaican rums are my world. A bit of a difference and variety from whisky. This unique funk is well felt in this rum. On the one hand, the Jamaican character and on the other, it is perfect for beginner rum lovers. Intense and estery in both the smell and taste. Strongly felt influence of the barrel, you can feel it in notes of vanilla, caramel, oak, chocolate. In addition, pleasant fruitiness and bananas. A pleasant balance of sweetness and dryness with a long finish in a dry direction. A good position for solo sipping.
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Expert reviews
4 critics scored it, averaging 7.7/10. Reviews from RumX's blog partners, independent experts who have tasted, evaluated, and described this rum..
Expert review by Single Cask Rum
Read full review →
Expert review by Rum nagykövet
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Expert review by Alkotip
Read full review →Although the trend in the rum community today is to drink Jamaican rums with a higher amount of esters than Appleton 12, it will certainly defend its place of honor. It has a balanced intense but smooth aroma and a complex taste in which you will find both sweetness and dryness, with citrus, coffee, chocolate or vanilla. It drinks beautifully and lingers in the throat long enough for you to enjoy it to your heart's content.
Expert review by The Dunder Hut
I struggle with this one, pure I don't like it so much. But of the standard expressions this is a win in a maitai
Live auctions
Current bids for this rum at Europe's leading auction houses.
Market value
What this bottle last achieved at auction. A research indicator, not a forecast.
Auction results 29 € – 34 €
from 8 sales, latest 07/2026
Prices incl. buyer's premium — what a buyer pays, not what a sale nets you.
Avg. community purchase price 38 €
What members paid for this bottle, self-reported. Not a market value — the purchases are over three years old at the median and unverified.
Details about Appleton Rare Casks 12 Years
A Pot & Column Still Rum from Jamaica, distilled by Appleton Estate, at 43%.
Old Fashioned with Rum
Recipe, history, and four builds from a bar professional: why the ur-cocktail gets bigger with rum, with a video to mix along.
Read more →Community purchases
705 bottles logged by 609 collectors.
A drinker & collector.
32% opened, 89 emptied and repurchased.
What does Appleton Rare Casks 12 Years cost?
Community paid 28–46 €.
Current best price: 37.80 € – within the typical community range.
What members actually paid for their bottles. A typical range, not the current shop price. Full price & collection history in RX+ →
+55 purchases in the last 3 months.
Added to collections, last 12 months — dark bars are the last 3.
705 purchased · 336 tasted · 327 wishlist · as of
Read on in the RumX Guide
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I'm Oliver, and RumX began in 2018 as a small passion project in Stuttgart, back then under the name Rum Tasting Notes.
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