Appleton Estate Master Blender’s Legacy
Review Update: Appleton Estate Master Blender’s Legacy 92.5/100
a review by Chip Dykstra (Aka Arctic Wolf)
Posted March 14, 2010
This is a revisit to The Appleton Master Blenders Legacy. This was one of the very first reviews I completed on the Ministry of Rum when all of this began. The original review was honest and forthright but upon reading it now many months later I realize it was also perhaps a little vague as far as tasting notes go. I am revisiting this review as part of the review series I am doing of Appleton Estate rums.
The Appleton Estate Master Blender’s Legacy was produced to recognize three generations of Appleton Estate Master Blenders, Joy Spence, the current Master Blender, Owen Tulloch, the previous Master Blender, and, David Morrison the current protégé of Joy Spence. All three blenders have set their mark on this luxurious rum.
The rum itself is a blend of rums which range in age from 18 years to 30 years.
In the Bottle 3.5/5
I will be critical with the packaging of this product. The Master Blender’s Legacy is a limited release and is at a price-point similar to an expensive Single Malt Scotch. Yet the rum is presented in the same flagon style bottle as the younger rums in the Appleton range and arrives with a that same pressed on screw cap (only the colours of the labels and cap are changed). Unfortunately pressed on metal screw caps are fragile. They expand and contract at a different rate than the glass. These caps also have a tendency to distort and warp when they are first opened as the metal perforations must be broken to open the bottle. I expect a better presentation for what I consider to be a luxury rum.
In the Glass 9/10
The rum is a rich polished bronze colour which displays obvious flashes of red when held up to the light. When the glass is swirled it reveals skinny legs which quickly trail back into the rum. The speed with which the rum trails down the side of the glass indicates to me a lighter rum than I would normally expect based upon the age of the rums in the blend.
The aroma of the Legacy is different from my expectations as well, based upon the other Appleton Rums I have been reviewing. There appears to be a light smoothness associated with the rum that makes everything on the nose more approachable. The orange peel which was very prevalent in the other Appleton rums is now combined with a lemon scent with both hiding behind a light oak aroma. The brown sugar notes are softer as are other spices. Apricots, pears, pecans, allspice and nutmeg drift delicately in the air as well.
In the Mouth 57/60
The rum continues to surprise me in this second review. The texture is cleaner than I remember, almost like a good whisky. Tart spices of orange peel, lemon are laid behind a backdrop of clean pure oak. Sweeter flavours of baked fruit (apples and pears), brown sugar and honey lie under these spices.
I have read reviews where the rum is said to have a smoky quality. I understand this perception but to me I taste a presence of pungent spice (nutmeg and allspice). These pungent spices seem to act as a fulcrum between the tart and the sweet bringing them together in a nice balancing act. A light butter and nutty oil texture complement this balance.
In the Throat 14/15
This is a clean, long finish. Crisp oak and tart orange peel slip down the throat followed by brown sugar spices. The sweetness quickly disappears quickly on the exit. A tinge of bitterness is left behind haunting the finish.
The Afterburn 9/10
The Appleton Master Blender’s Legacy is truly magnificent rum. I found this to be a true step above the 12-year-old rum. It was the clean delivery, and the manner in which the flavours were so delicately balanced which appealed to me. The Appleton style is not one of overwhelming sweetness but it is a style of complexity of oak and flavour that is a true marvel.
Suggested Cocktail:
This is a rum specifically designed by the Appleton Master Blenders to be drank neat, or on ice. However, even the Appleton Estate website, talks a little about premium cocktails having their place within the family of their rums. My suggested cocktails or very simple, constructed to bring out the flavour of the Appleton Estate rum without sacrificing its character. The first suggestion is a very simple rum on ice with a twist of lemon. based upon the premium quality of this rum I shall call it The Appleton Legacy Cocktail.
The Appleton Legacy Cocktail
2 oz Appleton Master Blender’s Legacy
1 Large Ice Cube
a twist of lemon
Enjoy!
(Picture to Follow)
The second cocktail pairs this premium rum with Bols Cacao Brown, and is a play on the Brandy Alexander which can be found on the Internet Cocktail Database here: Brandy Alexander.
The Brandy Alexander is a cocktail which uses three ingredients, Creme de Cacao, Brandy and cream. As I tweaked it for The Appleton Legacy I modified only slightly increasing the ration of rum to Bols Cacao Brown. Lets call this The Appleton Legacy Alexander.
The Appleton Legacy Alexander
2 oz Appleton Master Blender’s Legacy
1 oz Bols Cacao Brown
1 oz Light Cream
Nutmeg to garnish
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Note: Comparing the two reviews I see that the score has dropped somewhat. I think this is purely because of my richer experience with other styles of rum. It could also be that the 1 and 1/2 point difference is insignificant. I might be fooling myself that I can score to this degree of accuracy. As with all of my reviews my tasting notes and my rationale are probably more important for the reader than my actual score.
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Review: Appleton Estate Master Blender’s Legacy (94pts)
a review by Chip Dykstra (Arctic Wolf)
Posted (October 2009)
IN THE BOTTLE (4/5)
For the cost of this Rum I really expect a better presentation. I guess I see the price-point being in the same range as fine scotch, where I get a much nicer tin sleeve. I also feel the decanter should be a step up from the cheaper Appleton blends.
IN THE GLASS (9.0/10)
A really nice Appleton. I almost see legs in the glass and the aroma is enticing. A touch of burnt brown sugar in the air and a hint of nutmeg. Wiffs of citrus lemon also waft up from the glass.
IN THE MOUTH (57.5/60)
This is really complex. You can actually taste the younger rums in the blend swirling around the smoother older rum. The battles between the various ages in the blend is a delight in the mouth. This is smooth and robust. However a hint of bitterness rears up and prevents perfect harmony from being achieved. So close to perfection and yet so far.
IN THE THROAT (14.5/15)
If it were not for that bitter note this would be sublime. I still taste nutmeg and allspice mixed with brown sugar well after the glass is consumed.
The AFTERBURN (9.0/10)
This is so close to being a perfect rum that it is scary. I go back to this rum a lot trying to escape that tiny bitterness. But alas its always there just hiding in the corner spoiling perfection. But then for others that hint of bitterness might just be perfect.
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nurryGopy said
Truthful words, some unadulterated words dude. Thanks for makin my day.
Lance said
To my horror, the Appleton 30 year old has the same problem on the finish.
Rafael said
I enjoy drinking Appleton Estate Master Blender’s Legacy, still have 1 or 2 bottles left which I bought a few months ago.
But, to my surprise, I just checked a few minutes ago Appleton’s web page and they do not mention anything about it any more (nor about Appleton 21 years, nor about Mr. Tulloch).
Do you think they stopped making Master Blender’s Legacy in order to support their new full 30 year old product?
Thanks for your comments.
Arctic Wolf said
My understanding is that the Appleton Estate Master Blender’s Legacy was a limited Edition product. It seems to be running out everywhere. The 30 year Old product indeed seems to have usurped the MBL, but my understanding is that this product is also running out everywhere and in fact its price has risen dramatically in some markets due to the dwindling stocks. The 21 year old has a small production each year, but should remain available in limited quantities each year.
I checked the Appleton Website, http://www.appletonestate.com/, and when I signed in as an English Canadian, I found a full description of the entire lineup to the 21 year old. (There was also a link to THE LEGACY of Owen Tulloch on the MBL page.) I notice that the Appleton website seems to direct the browser to country specific pages, so it could be that whatever locale you signed in as did not show those pages.