Jamaican Rum

Gandalph

Hey guys,
I don't want to generalise or anything but I would like to presume the best rum comes from Jamaica?
Anyway I am heading there next month and I was wondering can anyone recommend anything they have tried there, preferably something that we are not able to get our hands on on this side of the world or is at least very limited.
Is that a big ask seeing as usually all the good stuff seems to make its way abroad anyway these days?
I'm just a little man looking to bring back tales of the tastes and experiences of the Caribbean while on my little adventure. I suppose it doesn't have to be just rum, any recommendations at all will be appreciated

Lovely Bloke

One of the best, and most well known, Jamaican rum makers are Appleton's, you can get some of their stuff here, but I think you'll get a wider selection over there. (I suppose they'd be like the Jameson of Jamaican Rum).

Appleton's VX is one of the popular ones, and is quite nice. I think it's what you'll get if you go into a bar in Jamaica and order a "Rum".

There's a wide range though - what kind of rum have you experience of?

White, gold, dark?

Spiced?

Gandalph

Thanks for the reply, it is just the sort of information I am looking for! I'll make sure to keep an eye out for Appletons. Is there any breweries over there that you can visit then like Jameson?

I've tried all of the above but my taste just seems to be sending me back to spiced, preference is; Spiced>White>Gold>Dark

Mince Pie

Lived in Jamaica for about a year a long time ago. Appleton Gold is my personal favourite. As far as I know you can go on a tour of the estate as well although I haven't been myself.
When there watch out for the local moonshine rum called Jonco Batty which basically means Blackbirds Arse or something similar. Its lethal stuff.

(edit to add the reason its called Jonco Batty is cos it smells like arse)


(as an aside I highly recommend going to Dunns River Falls)

nosietoes

I fell in love with Rum while watching the irish team kick ass at cricket World Cup nearly 7 years ago. Don't remember any spiced rum. (Perhaps because I hate it) Appleton XV is the regular premium-ish but also found in. The gas station. Most Jamaicans favour wright & Nephew Overproof white rum which is owned by the same company. This is an acquired taste but you can't go to Jamaica without giving it a go.

If you get the chance try the 12 y.o. and most of all the 21 y.o. But don't use a mixer - please!

Enjoy Jamaica!

And don't be surprised by the # of KFCs!

upforit101

Drinkspirits.com have Banks Five island Rum as their No1.

Smith & Cross Jamaican Rum is also listed.

How about working your way down the list?

http://www.drinkspirits.com/rum/banks-5-island-rum-review/

http://www.drinkspirits.com/rum/rhum-agricole/

http://www.drinkspirits.com/rum/scenes-rhum-j-m/

http://www.drinkspirits.com/our-favorite-spirits/

User45701

Baldy Conscience wrote: »

One of the best, and most well known, Jamaican rum makers are Appleton's, (I suppose they'd be like the Jameson of Jamaican Rum).

Appleton's VX is one of the popular ones, and is quite nice. I think it's what you'll get if you go into a bar in Jamaica and order a "Rum".

Mince Pie wrote: »

Lived in Jamaica for about a year a long time ago. Appleton Gold is my personal favourite.

Wow

I really like my rums but i have never liked appleton.
I go into the celtic whisky shop every month and buy 1 bottle of rum i have never tried before.
i even get the odd bottle online or get people to bring them back from abroad for me .

I tried Appleton twice, two different versions and just did not like it at all
My favorite at the moment is Haitian rum 4 year distilled. It has not been around since before the big quake but im so glad its back and its good to be buying their exports
http://www.masterofmalt.com/country/haitian-rum/
if you don't have a CC you can buy in the Celtic whisky shop

Ill try appleton again i suppose. Ill get the gold one this time and if i dont drink it im sure someone will

Mince Pie

Slarkon wrote: »

Wow

I really like my rums but i have never liked appleton.
I go into the celtic whisky shop every month and buy 1 bottle of rum i have never tried before.
i even get the odd bottle online or get people to bring them back from abroad for me .

I tried Appleton twice, two different versions and just did not like it at all
My favorite at the moment is Haitian rum 4 year distilled. It has not been around since before the big quake but im so glad its back and its good to be buying their exports
http://www.masterofmalt.com/country/haitian-rum/
if you don't have a CC you can buy in the Celtic whisky shop

Ill try appleton again i suppose. Ill get the gold one this time and if i dont drink it im sure someone will

To be honest, I was there when I was 18 and not into rums at the time so I liked Appleton there, should have been more specific I guess. Have become a lot more discerning now and I would say I'd be more a fan of Goslings but some of the best rums aren't actually from Jamaica which is where the OP is going.

I'm soo treating myself to a hefty order from Master of Malt for my birthday next month. Dark Rum and Gin will be top of the list.

Lovely Bloke

Slarkon wrote: »

My favorite at the moment is Haitian rum 4 year distilled. It has not been around since before the big quake but im so glad its back and its good to be buying their exports
http://www.masterofmalt.com/country/haitian-rum/

That's an amazing story, but the OP specifically asked about Jamaican

User45701

Baldy Conscience wrote: »

That's an amazing story, but the OP specifically asked about Jamaican

i didn't reply to the OP, i quoted someone else in topic...
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=88561173&postcount=7

sorry if that's against the rules but i have not been on boards in a while and didn't read the rules of this forum

i still think my point is valid. I really like rum and I don't like the Jamaican rum that's being recommended, then i referenced another rum that i do like

again sorry if annoyed anybody

nosietoes

Slarkon wrote: »

Wow

I really like my rums but i have never liked appleton...

I tried Appleton twice, two different versions and just did not like it at all...

Ill try appleton again i suppose. Ill get the gold one this time and if i dont drink it im sure someone will

Appleton tends to be quite floral so if you didn't like the higher end ones, you possibly won't like Gold as it's a similar flavour profile just less aged and in my opinion, less smooth.

Like anything, it's a question of palette. Just like some people favour peaty whiskeys and others prefer sherry barrel aged ones.