Velier Appleton Hearts Collection – 1995

Part of Velier's Hearts Collection, this is a long-aged single marque from Appleton Estate in Jamaica, bottled at full proof by Luca Gargano. Appleton is usually the smooth, mainstream face of Jamaican rum, but this pot still selection is a different animal, dry, dark and powerful, often mistaken in blind tastings for old Guyana.

Twenty-five years of tropical ageing in ex-bourbon wood, with the heavy angel's share that climate brings, has driven it deep into woody, roasted territory, layering dark chocolate, tobacco and leather over dried fruit, with a lick of menthol and spice rather than overt fruity funk. Bottled unsweetened at a fierce 63%, it is dense and intense, a rum to take slowly and in small measures. This is one for experienced drinkers who want to see Appleton at its driest, oldest and most serious.