Appleton Estate unveils in Singapore the two latest expressions from its coveted limited-edition Hearts Collection series, the 1993 and 2002.
Jamaica’s iconic Appleton Estate is very well-known among rum aficionados, who prize its aged rums for being entirely estate distilled. That’s right, everything that comes out of Appleton Estate is fully produced and matured on-site, a practice that’s becoming rare in the global rum industry.
But even among Appleton Estate’s impressive portfolio, there are some rums that are more prized than others. Case in point? The special release Hearts Collection, a collector’s series that’s a collaboration with renown rum collector and expert, Luca Gargano.
The Appleton Estate Hearts Collection is a range of incredibly rare and exclusive single marque releases from Campari Group-owned Appleton Estate, the oldest continuously operating distillery in Jamaica that’s been around since 1749.
What’s particularly special about the series is that each expression hails from the distillery’s incredible inventory of seriously aged rums, specially selected by Gargano and Appleton Estate’s master blender Joy Spence. The notable collection first debuted in 2020 with a trio of robustly aged expressions – the 1994, 1995, and 1999 – and quickly followed by another two, the 1983 and 2006. The latest additions, the 1993 and 2002 that have been aged 29 and 20 years respectively, joined the family earlier this year.
Like the rest of the collection, the liquid that go into both rums have first been distilled in the famed distillery’s specially designed Forsyth copper pot still, and then aged for between 18 to 37 years in top-grade American oak barrels. Spence will then narrow down a selection from the nearly 200,000 barrels resting in the distillery’s warehouses, and work with Gargano to identify worthy rums closest to their hearts – pun fully intended – for the Hearts Collection.
The 1993 and 2002 vintages from this year’s Hearts Collection come from just 13 and 20 barrels respectively. According to Appleton Estate, the 1993 opens with aromas of nutmeg and cinnamon, mingled with hints of mint, warm butterscotch, toasted oak and honeyed vanilla. And in the 2002, expect notes of vibrant orange blossoms wrapped with molasses, warm vanilla, medium roasted coffee and caramel, with a rich, smooth honeyed taste on the palate.
“Rums aged in tropical climates develop richer, fuller flavours much more quickly than spirits aged at cooler climates, so when you taste a rum aged for over 20 years like our new releases from the Hearts Collection, it’s a really extraordinary experience,” shared Appleton Estate’s master blender Joy Spence.
“I had long dreamed of releasing single vintage selections from Appleton Estate, so it’s been amazing to see the warm reception the Hearts Collection releases receive year after year, all around the world, Spence added.
The Appleton Estate Heart Collection 1993 and 2002 releases are now available in Singapore. They can be purchased exclusively via Campari Group’s RARE Division at the suggested retail price of S$560 and S$460, with only 80 out of 3600 and 120 out of 5600 bottles respectively for the 1993 and 2002 allocated to Singapore. For purchase and product sampling enquiries, please contact Campari Group RARE Division’s Sales Executive, Cathy Sun at Cathy.Sun@campari.com.
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