Appleton Estate, a Jamaican rum distillery in operation since 1749, has announced the global release of The Source 51-Year-Old, its longest-aged rum to date. The release will be limited to 25 decanters.
Aged in Jamaica’s tropical climate for over five decades, The Source is a single marque rum produced from Appleton Estate’s single-estate sugar cane. The rum was distilled in the estate’s copper pot stills and placed in a single American oak cask on July 30, 1973. The aging process was initially overseen by former Master Blender Owen Tulloch and later by his successor, Dr. Joy Spence.
Tropical aging is said to accelerate the maturation process at a rate of two to three times that of spirits aged in cooler climates, resulting in a more intense flavor and color. The higher evaporation rate, known as the “angel’s share,” also requires careful cask management to preserve the rum over such a long period. The rum was drawn from the cask in January 2025.
The Source honors the crystal-clear spring that flows through limestone-filtered riverbeds and is at the center of every drop of rum aged at Appleton Estate. Photo credit: Appleton Estate.
Dr. Spence commented on the release, stating, “Tasting this beautiful expression with Owen over 40 years ago sparked my lifelong passion for the possibilities of aged rum. This release is a tribute to the artistry, dedication, and spirit of our people; from the hand-harvested cane and traditional distillation to the stewardship of our barrels across generations.”
The name “The Source” refers to the aquifer at the heart of Appleton Estate, which provides the limestone-filtered water used in their rum production. The packaging for the 51-year-old rum reflects this, with a heart-shaped decanter that transitions from a mahogany color to an aquamarine base. The decanter is topped with a copper representation of Jamaica’s national bird, the Doctor Bird, and is housed in a turquoise case with a straw marquetry pattern.
Appleton Estate is a subsidiary of the Campari Group (BIT: CPR) and has a large inventory of aging rum, with over 150,000 barrels.
In conjunction with this release, Appleton Estate will partner with the Jamaica Art Society to support the 2026-2027 in focus fellowship cohort. This initiative will provide support and opportunities for Jamaican artists and curators.
The Source 51-Year-Old will be available in select global markets starting in July 2025, with a price of $70,000 USD per decanter.
Photo credit: Appleton Estate.
