Rum seems to be having its moment. The spirit, a former
component of seafarer's grog, has found a new audience in recent years.
“Millennials!” shrieks Joy Spence, Appleton Estate’s celebrated master blender
- the first woman in the world to hold the title and the brains behind
Appleton’s new "Joy Anniversary Blend".
“From London to
Kingston, attitudes are changing,” explains Joy Spence. “Young professionals between
25-40 years-old are actually drinking their rum neat and
enjoying it for its sophistication and complexities.” Appleton’s new blend, an
exclusive mix limited to only 1200 bottles, is sure to sate this newfound
appetite. As the name
suggests, Appleton’s Joy Anniversary Blend is a celebration of their
master blender, a woman whose superhuman sensory perception, chemical nous, she
retains the highest BSc chemistry results in Loughborough University’s
history, and larger-than-life character have propelled her to fame amongst the
international rum community.
“It’s
called Joy, because that’s what people feel when they taste this blend for the
first time - it also happens to be my name,” she jokes. A more appropriate name
for the copper-colored rum might be "epiphany" - so revelatory
is the flavor profile of the drink - but few names other than Joy best suit
the vivacious mastermind behind the beverage. “People
are looking for a pure drink where all the flavors are derived from the
process,” she says, stroking the curves of her namesake bottle, “there’s no
additives in there”.
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| Joy Spence |
Much
has been made lately of the so-called "rum revolution" and it’s
artisanal drinks like this that are sinking the drink’s barnacled reputation as
a pirate’s preserve. Tiki no more: premium rum is big business. Unlike wine,
rum isn’t going to develop with age but - if you choose your bottle carefully -
you could see a hefty return on your investment. “The
standard rum category is pretty flat” says Joy, “but premium rum is going to be
hot. It’s predicted to be the next whisky.” Blessed with an indefinite
shelf-life, to uncork a bottle of rum is to be transported to a moment in
history. The Joy Anniversary blend for instance, is comprised of a 35-year-old
and a 25-year-old matured rum - Jamaicans have gone mad for the stuff.
Read More at appletonestate.com
Appleton Estate Joy rum can be sampled today at the Rum Bar at the Speakeasy Inn here in Key West. This is a wonderful fum worth every penny of its price and can only be tasted in the finest rum bars around the world.
