Appleton Estate

by Dawn Matheson
May 8th, 2009

Appleton Rums Photo by Dawn Matheson

Learn about the way Jamaica’s premier rum is made, from the source.

We've all had ample opportunity to tour a winery. Rum distillery tours and tastings are not as easy to come by, especially when the rum in question is considered to be the finest in the world, and the property regarded as the oldest and most famous of all of Jamaica’s sugarcane estates.

If you can stand the tourist gaggle, Appleton provides a fascinating (and not always pretty) window into the colonial history of the island and sugarcane farming, as well as rum production and its appreciation and use in Jamaica. (It’s truly ubiquitous here: Jamaicans drink it, cook with it and ward off evil spirits with it.) And with all the free rum punch you can drink, you’d be hard pressed not to find at least some of the guided tour of the distillery and gorgeous grounds entertaining.

An alcohol derived from molasses, “Kill Devil” (as it was once known) has come a long way at Appleton Estates. They’ve been blending rums since 1749, and boast the first woman to ever hold the title of master blender: Joy Spence. If you can nab a tasting with her, consider yourself an expert.

DON’T MISS: The “complimentary bottle of rum” advertised in the tour lit is only 50 ml, but the gift shop sells Appleton cheaper than anywhere else on the island.

Open Mon. to Sat., 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; US$15 for the tour, US$30 for lunch (reservations required).

appletonrumtour.com