Appleton 12yr Estate Rare Blend (re-named from Estate Extra 12yr in 2015) is aged a bit longer than their flagship brand and considered a "masterpiece in oak aging." It comprises a blend/marriage of rums aged for minimum of 12 years from the estate-grown molasses and distilling plant in Jamaica. They announce it is "perfect for sipping."Appleton Estates claims rum production back to 1749 with origins of the estate in 1655 during British and Spanish hostilities: Frances Dickinson is believed to have been granted in the estate in service to the British crown. The rums are considered "estate" rums for the sugar (ultimately molasses) grown and produced on the same grounds as the distillery--think of it as craft distilling writ-large like a plantation. They believe the Nassau valley soil and aquifer water produces unique characters in the rum. They are currently invested in "Green Cane Harvesting" by 2010 and have a variety of sustainable measures in their production. J. Wray was acquired by Gruppo Campari in September of 2012.
