The first time that I ever had Jamaican rum was at a room party. One of my friends, who is really into mixing cocktails, made me something with Myers’s, and I was instantly in love. About 2 weeks later, I was stuck in Trudeau airport in Canada for over 24 hours due to constant delays and cancelations, and so my uncle and I went to a bar and just drank for a while. I asked if they had any Jamaican rum, and the bartender said yes— Appleton 8. I loved it, and bought myself a bottle at Duty Free.

But that’s just 8, and Appleton has so many options! How do I know which is the best? For one, I’m not spending $200+ per bottle, so 17, 21, and 2002 are out. I am just left with Signature, 8, and 12. I checked this subreddit for advice, and I could find people vouching for all 3, and no one has mentioned their thoughts about all 3 side by side, so… I guess it’s up to the noob!

Review

Smell

Very bold oak smell, to the point where it dominates even over the vanilla.

Taste

I really did not expect it to be so different from Signature and 8 year. The dominant flavor is now oak, with no real funk to speak of, just notes of vanilla behind a mouthful of wood. It is much smoother and less hot than the 8 Year, but I’d say it’s about on par with the Signature.

In a daiquiri, it kind of doesn’t really work for me. I just don’t like my daiquiris this oaky. This one kind of makes me feel like something akin to an old fashioned might be a better drink to try a very aged rum, while a daiquiri is better for younger rums.

Verdict 6.5/10

(Maintained at 6.5/10 on 2/23/26)

(Edited from 7/10 on 12/12/25)

It reminds me way more of an aged Spanish-style rum like a Brugal Extra Viejo than a Jamaican rum, but if that’s what you’re into, you might very well like this one. It’s a smooth sipper, and I’d like to find another cocktail that is better suited for this rum. 7/10

December 12, 2025 Update:

12 is like 8 but just a straight upgrade. Richer, more complex, and still has just a faint bit of Jamaican funk, and has a very nice body to it. Way less harsh than 8 while maintaining its richness and complexity. I’d say it edges out Signature for sipping, but Signature is just more enjoyable in certain mixed drinks, so instead of putting it between 8 and Signature, I upgrade it to tied with Signature. 6.5/10

December 12, 2025 Update:

I am very silly. Appleton 8, 12, and signature are great. All 3 are. I don’t know why I underrate all of them. Bring them all up to 6.5 honestly. It’s so hard because I just tried so many dominican rums, and they’re all so decent, then I go to Jamaican and it’s a whole different world.