Rum, straight-up? It may not be the typical way to enjoy the tropical beverage, but Appleton Estate’s Joy Anniversary Blend is not your average rum, and is certainly not the brainchild of your everyday blender. Joy Spence made history when she was appointed Appleton’s master blender 20 years ago, making her the first woman to hold the position. The 25-year-aged special release celebrates Spence’s two decades with the Jamaican company.
Joy is a blend of two choice rums: one from 1981, and a select marque of pot still rum that is one of Spence’s favourites. The result is warm, soft, and buttery-smooth; the sweet toffee and tropical flavours linger long—no need to punch up the liquor with pineapple or cover impurities with cola. Spence is a pioneer in an industry mostly dominated by men, and Joy is certain to be a bottle added to the collections of rum enthusiasts worldwide—and a perfect toast to another glass ceiling shattered. To many more to come.
