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

Signature has that classic funky Jamaican smell to it, with maybe a bit of vanilla and overripe banana.

Taste

Signature has a mildly funky taste to it. It’s not very strong, but definitely present and pleasant. It also has notes of vanilla, overripe banana, and just a general fruity vibe that I can’t quite put my finger on. Also, I wouldn’t describe it as grassy on first taste, but when I try it side by side with the 8 year, I can definitely sense a grassyness about it.

In a daiquiri, it kind of disappears. It’s a good daiquiri, and the lime and sweetness shine, but I really only get the funk when I exhale, and not so much when I actually drink it.

Verdict 6.5/10

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

(Edited from 7.5/10 on 12/12/25)

It was my favorite of the bunch. It’s a younger, funkier rum, it’s pleasant to drink on its own or in a cocktail, and it’s one of the better rums that I’ve had so far, though it didn’t blow me away. And for the price, I think that it’s a good bottle to always keep on hand. 7.5/10

December 12, 2025 Update:

Signature just tastes good. It does not have really strong aged notes, but it’s smooth, has a jamaican funk to it, and a bit of bitterness. Sort of low-to-mid ester. It’s noticable, and it’s great mixed, and while I prefer to sip 12 and 15, I wouldn’t turn this down neat either. It’s solid. 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.