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

8 Year has a more muted funk compared to Signature, and a bolder vanilla scent, along with some oak.

Taste

8 Year comes in hot. It’s only 3% higher in alcohol, but it feels significantly hotter to drink. Signature is almost a smooth sipper compared to 8. The vanilla takes over as the main flavor profile with only a bit of the funk of Signature still present, but also having some oaky flavor as well.

In a daiquiri, I would say that the flavor is basically like the Signature, except the drink is noticably hotter. It feels like a very boozy daiquiri despite having only very slightly more alcohol. Otherwise, I also don’t sense any real strong flavor or funk except on the exhale.

Verdict 6.5/10

(Edited from 5.5/10 on 2/23/26)

(Edited from 6.5/10 on 12/12/25)

Though it was my least favorite, I definitely still enjoyed it. I gladly drank it when I had it at the airport. However, it occupies a space where it doesn’t beat either the Signature or the 12 at their game and instead sits between them, and so I don’t find it very compelling when the other two exist. 6.5/10

December 12, 2025 Update:

8 is still slightly disappointing. It’s more oaky and also richer and less bitter, but also has way less funk and is significantly harsher. There’s still some, and I still do enjoy this rum, but I would just never pick it when the other Appleton options exist. 5.5/10

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.