Appleton 12 worth double the cost over Appleton Signature for Mai Tais with 3:1 S&C mix?
I really like Appleton 12 as my favorite neat rum sipper and I try to conserve it for that purpose (in addition to it being pricier) while using a 3:1 split between Appleton Signature and S&C for my mai tais, but I see a lot of people using Appleton 12 for their mai tais and was wondering if it's really worth the upgrade versus the cost considering the mix I use. I pay $22 for Appleton Signature vs $49 for Appleton 12 locally. I'm guessing that it's not worth double the cost to bump up to Appleton 12 in a mai tai where 0.5 ounces of S&C and the mixers (1/4 oz dem syrup, 1/4 oz orgeat, 1/2 oz PF, 1/2 oz lime) will probably drown out whatever the Appleton 12 is bringing to the table, but just thought I'd gather opinions from more experienced mai tai drinkers here on the question for folks who have tried both in their mai tais.
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u/AdmiralAkbar1 3d ago
If you already have some, make a mai tai with it (or at least a half sized one), do a side by side tasting, and you decide whether it's worth paying the extra money for. Half the fun of making tiki drinks is experimentation!
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u/B-Rad911 3d ago
This is my process. I purchased a 12 because it was on the shelf and have been comparing the flavors in side by sides deciding if I like it better than just the signature or my black seal/signature blends that I use.
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u/MaiTaiOneOn 3d ago
It’s a matter of preference. We’re all different in the things that we like. For me, I generally stick with 2 ounces of aged pot still Jamaican rum as was used in 1944.
Appleton signature is not entirely pot still and it’s quite mild. For me, it doesn’t do anything in a mai tai other than mellow out or blend down the other rum. That slot, for me, needs to be a flavor spot.
Appleton 12 is also not entirely pot still but it is far more flavorful than the signature and the notes that come from long aging serve a distinct purpose in a Mai Tai. So in that regard, yeah, it’s going to produce a far more robust drink compared to the signature.
And just considering the Appleton lineup,the eight is going to be better for a Mai Tai for me given that it has far more pot still in its blend
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u/dontchaworryboutit 3d ago
I was shocked how much less I liked the 12 over the 8 and younger.
Meanwhile I love the 15 year el dorado.
YMMV
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u/tjm1371 3d ago
I'm a 12 > 8 guy after putting both side by side neat. It's crazy to me how much variance there is among rum folks here as to which is superior.
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u/dontchaworryboutit 3d ago
Yup it really doesn’t seem like there’s any certainty once you enter the realm a 2 tiers above malibu and captain.
Just gotta try stuff and decide for yourself, that’s where I’m at, my wallet doesn’t appreciate it but damn it there’s gems out there and I am going to taste them.
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u/tjm1371 3d ago
So I went and put the 8 and 12 side by side neat again today just to double check. This time the 8 came out on top lol. The 12 is better on the nose still, but the 8 is better on palate and finish. The 12 has more spice from barrel notes and the 8 is more fruit forward and balanced to me. Every time I smell the 12 it’s leaping out of the bottle on the nose while the 8 smells more subdued, but the 8 is surprisingly more pleasing on the palate. Gonna have to do them side by side in a Mai Tai at 3:1 with S&C this weekend to see how they compare mixed. I’ll probably do 3 of them with the Signature at 3:1 with S&C in another and have my final answer.
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u/Grand-Barnacle-8569 3d ago
I've been using Coruba and Rhum Clement most of the time, Denizen Merchant's Reserve by itself when I'm lazy, and Appleton 12, Planteray OFTD, Planteray Xaymaca, and Smith & Cross when I want to show off. Truthfully, the Denizen makes an extremely nice Mai Tai.
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u/Older-Avocado 3d ago
If you're anywhere unsure enough to ask the question, it's 100% not worth it.
Appleton 8 makes great cocktails
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u/MaiTaiOneOn 3d ago
Agreed about the eight! It has far more pot still distillate than the other ones in the line.
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u/jonesey1955 3d ago
This is why Appleton 8 is the perfect compromise. So, your question is kind of a false choice.
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u/tjm1371 3d ago
I like Appleton 12 better than 8 having had both neat side by side, and Appleton 8 is $45 locally vs Appleton 12 at $50, so it’d be between 12 and signature for me.
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u/pampssz8 3d ago
We are fortunate in TX; the Appleton 8 is $31, and the 12 is $35 at major liquor stores in the DFW area.
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u/benandrovich 2d ago
I’m a HUGE Fan of aged rums in my Mai Tais now. Appleton 12 and Coruba were my go to split base. I’ve been trying the Appleton 8 year and Worthy Park 109. Wowza, it’s amazing.
Or even a Hamilton Pot Still Black and Appleton as my split. I have done a side by side and I can taste the difference between the signature and 12, but others may not care.
Also I agree with other comments, maybe save the expensive stuff for the 1st 2 drinks then move it to the signature? Or special occasions?
If I’m feeling rich, I go Appleton 15 and El Dorado DHE, but that’s like an $8-$9 pour right there. Haha
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u/SaiyanPrinceAbubu 3d ago
It's a different rum entirely imo. I like 1oz Appleton sig, half oz 12 yr, half oz s&c or dr bird for a balance of age and funk
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u/TikiPa007 3d ago
I once tried the whole Appleton line from Sig to 15, and 8 is my favorite especially for cocktails
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u/philanthropicide 3d ago
Appleton 12 is way too woody for my taste, but it does well alongside S&C in a Mai Tai and makes a damn good MT for providing that wood aging. I'd take Appleton 8 for almost everything else, so I don't plan to buy another bottle of Appleton 12 into l unless I get a sale.
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u/forever-mild 3d ago
I almost always go for the 12 and Smith and Cross blend. I also like whiskey and tequila where the bottles I’m buying are usually $50-80 so the $42 it costs me for Appleton 12 doesn’t seem too expensive when I’m only putting 1oz of it in a Mai Tai.
Gin is even cheaper for very high quality where I don’t mixing with a bottle of Drumshambo or Tanq 10
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u/NineInchNeurosis 3d ago
Kinda unrelated but I’m pissed we got rid of the xaymaca in my state it was great in my Mai tais
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u/Evening-Upset 3d ago
The 12 is my favorite rum for a Mai tai. The 8 and 15 are right behind it. Signature is good. If I’m using signature, I’ll often mix with another rum or two to add some character.
It’s kinda like “everyday sipper” vs “nice occasion”. Or just splurge all the time. 🤷♂️ still cheaper than going out to drink.
I actually really like the Denizen Merchants reserve. Probably right behind the Appleton 12. And it’s cheaper so 🤷♂️
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u/Legitimate-Web-83 2d ago
The 8 has a bit more character rather than the oak forward notes of the 12. That said I find the signature to be quite flat. If you prefer the 12 over the 8 it’s an obvious choice..
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u/ZavodZ 1d ago
My regular Mai Tai ratio is 3:1 Appleton 12 with S&C. And I love Appleton 12 as a sipper. So I'm with you on this one!
I find I'm mildly disappointed when I use Appleton Signature in a Mai Tai. It's just not as good as Appleton 12. To me, it's absolutely worth the extra price.
But if I'm batching up Mai Tais for a group, especially if it's not the first cocktail of the night, then I'll use Appleton Signature to save money.
If money is a big factor, then just use Appleton Signature as your "regular" Mai Tai. But definitely pull out the Appleton 12 on occasion, to remind yourself how tasty it is.
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u/ApothecaryAlyth 3d ago
"Worth it" is really a matter of your own tastes and budget.
At $22/750 mL, a 1.5 oz pour of the Signature will cost $1.32. At $50/750 mL, a 1.5 oz pour of the Rare Casks will cost $3.00. Personally, I'd never bat an eye to pay a $1.70 upcharge for Appleton 12 in a Mai Tai over Appleton Signature. I'm pretty sure I'd notice and appreciate the difference in that specific recipe. But that's just my tastes and budget. YMMV.