Appleton Estate Unveils World's Longest Tropically Aged Rum, “The Source,” at US$70K

Appleton Estate, the oldest continuously operating rum distillery in Jamaica, has released an ultra-rare 51-year-old rum dubbed “The Source 51”, a true collector’s masterpiece with only 25 heart-shaped decanters available globally

“The Source 51”, a true collector’s masterpiece

Appleton Estate, Jamaica’s oldest continuously operating rum distillery, is celebrating its 275th anniversary with an extraordinary achievement, “The Source 51-Year-Old,” now recognized as the longest tropically aged rum ever bottled.

With only 25 heart-shaped decanters in existence, The Source 51-Year-Old is a rare piece of history. Drawn from a single American oak cask laid down on July 30, 1973, the rum was originally crafted under the watchful eye of Jamaican rum legend Owen Tulloch, and later entrusted to Dr. Joy Spence, Appleton Estate’s iconic Master Blender and the first woman in the spirits industry to hold that title.

Made exclusively from Appleton’s single-estate sugarcane, The Source was fermented in open vats and distilled using traditional copper pot stills. It spent over five decades maturing in Jamaica’s tropical climate, where intense heat and humidity accelerate aging up to three times faster than in cooler regions. This process deepens the color, enriches the flavor, and introduces unique challenges, most notably, heightened evaporation known as the “devil’s share.”

“Tasting this beautiful expression with Owen over 40 years ago sparked my lifelong passion for the possibilities of aged rum,” Dr. Joy Spence shared. “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. Jamaica and rum are inseparable, much like the heart and soul captured in The Source.”

“The Source” isn’t just a rare rum, it’s a story captured in design and legacy. Encased in a heart-shaped decanter that fades from mahogany to aquamarine, and crowned with a copper Doctor Bird, Jamaica’s national symbol, the presentation pays homage to both the rum’s age and its island origins.

With only 25 bottles available, The Source will launch in select global markets starting July 2025, priced at US$70,000. Marking a historic release, it stands as a true collector’s piece, an ultra-rare expression of Jamaican craftsmanship and heritage.

To mark this historic release, Appleton Estate is giving back to Jamaican culture through a new partnership with the Jamaica Art Society, supporting the 2026–2027 In Focus Fellowship cohort. The initiative will provide funding, exposure, and creative opportunities for emerging Jamaican artists, while also celebrating five decades of Jamaican art through co-branded dinners, fellowship sponsorships, and curated experiences throughout 2026.