1. Appleton Estates

Name of the oldest rum producer in the English speaking West Indies.

Appleton Estates is located in the Black River area of Southwest Jamaica. The distillery was founded by Ezekiel and Caleb Dickinson, and has been producing award-winning rums since 1749.

The land on which Appleton Estates resides, was acquired by the Dickinson's grandfather, Frances Dickinson, who help with the British capture of Jamaica from Spanish rule. The land was granted to Dickinson from the Crown, as a reward for his service.

Appleton Estates remained in the Dickinson family until it was sold to a succession of Jamaican families, each of whom expanded size of the estate.

In 1916, the rum producing J. Wray & Nephew Ltd., purchased the Appleton distillery and continues to own it to this day.

Today, Appleton Estates owns 11,000 acres of sugarcane, and manufactures a number of rums under the Appleton label.

URL: Appleton Estates Website


Updated May 9, 2005