J. Wray & Nephew Ltd.
Rum labels
My bottles full of rum
History
Appleton Estate is distillery owned by J. Wray & Nephew Limited.
Wray & Nephew Group Limited have subsidiaries:
- J. Wray & Nephew Limited
- J. Wray & Nephew (International) Limited [Cayman Islands]
- Wray & Nephew (Canada ) Limited
- J. Wray & Nephew (U.K.) Limited
- J. Wray y Sobrino de Costa Rica, S. A.
- The Rum Company (Jamaica) Limited
- The Rum Company (International) Limited [Cayman Islands]
- Rum Company (New Zealand) Limited
- Daniel Finzi & Co. (Suc) Limited
- Edwin Charley (Jamaica) Limited
It all began in the year 1825 when John Wray, a wheelwright living in the parish of St. Ann on the northern side of the island, opened a tavern in Kingston. Although it did not become Jamaica's capital until 1872, Kingston was then, as it is now, a bustling seaport and the island's commercial centre. It was also the site of one of the most fashionable theatres in the New World, the Theatre Royal. A theatre which had stood here since 1775 and English touring companies would make their first call there before going north to Boston in America and the then fledging town of New York.
It was beside the Theatre Royal that John Wray set up shop, and he called it appropriately, “The Shakespeare Tavern”. The Tavern stood on the northern side of the main square, known as Parade, which was a popular meeting place for locals. Across the square from the tavern was the Parish Church and to the west a large market. John Wray had chosen his location well and there, “backed by more foresight and genius than by the slender earnings which he had accumulated over a very long period”, he realised his lifelong dream of becoming a successful rum merchant.
Wray & Nephew still operates a bar on the site of the Shakespeare Tavern, and there is still a theatre, the parish church, and the market across the square, still called Parade.
In 1860 Wray took his 22 year old nephew, Charles James Ward, into the business, and in 1862 he made him his partner. The business was known from then on as J. Wray and Nephew.
Charles James Ward was a dynamic and gifted entrepreneur, and under his leadership J. Wray and Nephew began a period of growth and prosperity. Wray retired in 1862 and died in 1870 leaving Ward as the sole proprietor of the business.
Ward developed his heritage - a tavern and liquor-dealing concern, into one of Jamaica's largest commercial enterprises, and a company that enjoyed international success . At the International Exhibition held in London in 1862, J. Wray and Nephew won three gold medals for its 10, 15 and 25 year old rums. The Company's rums also won several awards and prizes at international exhibitions in Paris - 1878, Amsterdam - 1883, New Orleans - 1885 and Jamaica 1891.
In 1863 the headquarters of the business was moved from the Shakespeare tavern, which was located in a mainly residential area, to larger premises on Port Royal Street. The Port Royal Street premises was conveniently located near the wharves where the wind-driven droghers, and later the coastal steamers, unloaded the barrels of rum from the sugar estates. J. Wray and Nephew's new location also had the advantage of being located in the heart of Jamaica's commercial area, near the country's major bank and across the road from the general post office.
The Years in Between
By the time of Colonel Ward's death in 1913, the Company had acquired three sugar estates - Carlisle, Greenwich and Monymusk, and had secured the local distribution rights for a number of well-known brands, some of which it still represents today.
After his death Colonel Ward left his estate to be administered by trustees, and in 1916 the trustees sold the estate to Lindo Brothers & Co. Ltd. Shortly after acquiring Wray and Nephew, Lindo Brothers & Co. Ltd. purchased the Appleton Estate in St. Elizabeth, and in 1917 they expanded the factory and distillery operations at the Estate. Wray and Nephew, under the management of Lindo Brothers & Company Ltd., also built two additional warehouses to store and age rums, and added an electric bottling line and bottle washing machine to its Kingston operations. Just before the Second World War, in 1939, Lindo Brothers & Company sold Wray and Nephew to Mr. Percy Lindo and his family.
During the Second World War, whiskey was in short supply, and experiments were carried out at the Appleton Estate to produce a rum that would serve as a substitute. The results of these experiments was "Appleton Estate Special," a smooth, light and fragrant rum that proved to be extremely popular with Jamaicans. "Appleton Estate Special," which was renamed "Appleton Special" in the mid 1990's, is still very popular with Jamaicans and, through the Company's export efforts, is a favourite throughout the world.
Throughout the 1940's and 1950's Wray and Nephew continued to modernise and expand its operations, both at the Estates and the Kingston operations, to handle the Company's growing production requirement.
In 1957 Percy Lindo's two sons, who had since taken over the management of the company, sold out to a syndicate that included some of the principal shareholders of the Lascelles deMercado Group. The new owners moved the Company's headquarters from Port Royal Street in the centre of downtown Kingston to a new complex on Spanish Town Road on the outskirts of the city in 1971. Wray and Nephew's offices are still located at this complex.
The economic conditions that prevailed in Jamaica during the late 1970's and early 1980's adversely affected the Company's plans for growth and expansion, however this changed when a new Government that emphasised the development of local industry, and in particular the export sector, came into power.
Wray and Nephew's recent history has been a history of dynamic growth and development. The Company was acquired as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lascelles, deMercado Group in 1989, and following on this acquisition, Wray and Nephew has moved to position itself to meet the challenges of the twenty first century.
Recognizing the potential for Appleton Jamaica Rum internationally, the Company focused its efforts on growing this brand on the world market through the development of international marketing and distribution channels and the introduction of new Appleton brands.
Appleton Estate V/X Jamaica Rum, the flagship brand of the Appleton family, was introduced in 1987, and Appleton 12 year old Rare Old Jamaican Rum, which was immensely popular, particularly with liquor connoiseurs, was repackaged and relaunched a few years later. Both have enjoyed success both in Jamaica and throughout the world. In late 1996 the luxury brand Appleton Estate 21 Year Old Jamaica Rum, a smooth sipping rum, was also introduced.
Since its founding, Wray and Nephew has enjoyed a tradition of excellence and has consistently produced spirits of the highest quality. With the emerging global economy and the need to meet the competitive demands that such an economy would bring, Wray and Nephew accepted the challenge to become certified by the International Standards Organization. The International Standards Organization is a special non-governmental organization that develops international technical agreements that are published as international standards.
In June 1995, Wray and Nephew embarked on an intensive programme to meet the requirements of the International Standards Organization, and in January 1996 the Company received ISO 9002 certification. The Company is now undergoing a major upgrading and expansion programme to meet the world's demand for Appleton Jamaica Rum, the finest rum in the world.
The first record of rum production at Appleton Estate was in 1749. It has been part of the Wray & Nephew portfolio of rum since 1916. Recently upgraded, it makes pot- and collumn-still rums.
Appleton Estate is the oldest and most famous of all of Jamaica's sugar estates. It is nestled in the fertile Nassau Valley on either side of the Black River in the Southwest of Jamaica.
The origins of Appleton Estate date back to 1655 when the English captured Jamaica from the Spaniards. Frances Dickinson, whose grandsons Caleb and Ezekiel were the earliest known owners of the Appleton Estate, took part in that conquest of Jamaica, and it is believed that Appleton Estate was part of the land grant that Dickinson received as reward for his services.
Appleton Estate was an established rum-producing sugar plantation by the year 1749, and it has been in continuous operation for two and a half centuries.
Today, Appleton Estate comprises a total of nearly 4,614 hectares (I 1,402 acres) with 1,500 hectares (3707 acres) in sugarcane cultivation. It also has its own sugar factory and rum distillery which are among the most modern and well equipped in Jamaica. The factory can produce up to 160 tons of sugar per day, and the distillery has a production capacity of ten million litters of rum on an annual basis from both pot stills and column stills.
Appleton Estate Rums are a unique style of rum produced only in Jamaica. Estate rums date back to the days of the old plantations, when special rums were developed exclusively for the tables of the estate's absentee owners. Wray and Nephew still makes this style of rum at Appleton Estate and controls every aspect of production.
Wine and Spirit Merchants
24 Port Royal Street
established 1825
Agents for the finest Brands of Wines, Spirits, Malts, etc.
Pictures gallery
Appleton V/X
Pressing the scane
Distillery
Appleton Distillery
1934
Here are full texts from the labels
jm136: Wray & Nephew; One Dagger; Jamaica Rum; 5 Years Old; Product of Jamaica, B.W.I.; J. Wray & Nephew Ltd., Distillers & Blenders (since 1852), Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies
jm10: Appleton White Jamaica Rum; Copperstills on the Appleton Estate impart to our Rums their subtle light character; Produced in Jamaica by J. Wray and Nephew Ltd, Kingston Jamaica W.I.makers of fine rum since 1825; 37,5% vol; 70 cl; 5024576000009
jm11: Appleton White Classic Jamaica Rum; Copperstills on the Appleton Estate impart to our Rums their subtle light character; Produced in Jamaica by J. Wray and Nephew Ltd, Kingston Jamaica W.I.makers of fine rum since 1825; 37,5%vol; 1.5 litres
jm119: Appleton White Jamaica Rum; 40% alc/vol; 750 ml; Old copperstills on the Appleton Estate impart to our Rums their rich flavourful character; Adged and Bottled in Kingston, Jamaica by J. Wray & Nephew Ltd., Distillers and Blenders of Rum since 1825
jm_119: Appleton Jamaica Rum; White ; 40% alc/vol; 750 ml; 5024576005103
jm_12: Appleton White Rhum Jamaica Rum; 40% alc/vol
jm_9: C. J. Wray Dry Rum; 40% alc/vol; 50 ml; Old copperstills on the Appleton Estate impart to our Rums their subtle light character; Adged and Bottled in Kingston, Jamaica by J. Wray and Nephew Ltd., distillers and Blenders of Rum since 1825
jm111: Appleton; White Jamaica Rum; A light dry continuous still rum; Matured & Blended by J. Wray & Nephew Ltd., distillers and Blenders of Rum since 1825, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies
jm112: Appleton; White Jamaica Rum; A light dry continuous still rum; Matured & Blended by J. Wray & Nephew Ltd., distillers and Blenders of Rum since 1825, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies
jm61: Appleton Dark Jamaica Rum; Old copperstills on the Appleton Estate impart to our Rums their rich flavourful character; Aged and bottled in Jamaica by J. Wray and Nephew Ltd, Kingston, Jamaica, W.I.; 40% alc/vol; 750 ml
jm118: Appleton 151 Proof Jamaica Rum; 75.5% alc/vol; 750 ml; Old copperstills on the Appleton Estate impart to our Rums their rich flavourful character; Aged and bottled in Kingston, Jamaica by J. Wray and Nephew Ltd, Distillers and Blenders of rum since 1825
jm5: Appleton Special Jamaica Rum; 40% alc/vol; 750 ml; Produced & adged in Jamaica by J. Wray and Nephew Ltd, Kingston, Jamaica, W.I.; 036191007405
jm_16: Appleton Special Jamaica Rum
jm22: Wray & Nephew; Appleton Estate Distilled Jamaica Rum; 40% alc.by vol.(80 proof); 1 liter; Old copper stills on the Appleton Estate impart to our Rums their rich flavourful character.; blendet and bottled in Kingston, Jamaica by J. Wray & Nephew Ltd
jm_11: Wray & Nephew; Appleton Estate Special Jamaica Rum; Produced in Jamaica by J. Wray and Nephew Ltd., Kingston, Jamaica, W.I.; Makers of Rum since 1825; Sole importer: J. Wray & Nephew (U.K.) Limited, 44/48 Borough High Street, London SE1 D2; 40% vol; 50 ml
jm21: Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum; Since 1749; Old Copperstills on the Appleton Estate impart to our rums their rich flavorful character; Distilled, blended and bottled in Jamaica by J. Wray and Nephew Ltd, Creators of fine rum; 40% vol.; 70 cl; 5024576001006
jm12: Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum; Old Copperstills on the Appleton Estate impart to our rums their rich flavorful character; Distilled, blended and bottled in Jamaica by J. Wray and Nephew Ltd, Creators of fine rum; 43% vol.; 70 cl; 5024576006001
jm_127: Appleton Jamaica Rum; Special; Since 1749; 5024576000108
jm_43: Since 1749; Appleton Estate Reserve; 40% alc/vol; Jamaica Rum; 750 ml
jm_125: 1749; Appleton Estate; Crafted in the Heart of Jamaica; Reserve Blend Jamaica Rum; Distilled and blended in Jamaica of J. Wray & Nephew LTD; 40% alc/vol; 700 ml; 5024576189100
jm167: Estd. 1749, Jamaica; Appleton Estate; Crafted in the Heart of Jamaica; Rare Blend Aged 12 Years; Jamaica Rum; Distilled and Blended in Jamaica by J. Wray and Nephew Ltd; 43% vol; 70 cl; Master Blender; 5024576191103
jm180: Appleton Estate; Crafted and aged in the Heart of Jamaica; Aged a minimum 12 of 12 Years; Rare Casks; 70 cl; Established 1749; Nassau Valley; 43% vol; Single Estate Jamaica Rum; 225852; 5024576191103
jm_126: Estd. 1749, Jamaica; Appleton Estate; Crafted in the Heart of Jamaica; Rare Blend Aged 12 Years; Jamaica Rum; Distilled and Blended in Jamaica by J. Wray and Nephew Ltd; 43% vol; e 70 cl; 8402198777733
jm34: Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum; 43% alc/vol (86 proof); 750 ml; Distilled, blended and bottled in Jamaica by J. Wray and Nephew Ltd, Creators of fine rum; 036191054409
jm177: Since 1749; Appleton Estate; Creators aged 21 years fine rum; Jamaica Rum; 43% alc/vol; Distilled, blended and bottled in Jamaica by J.Wray & nephew LTD; Estate Distilled; e 70 cl; 5024576007008
jm_120: Appleton Estate 21 Jamaica Rum; 43% vol; e 70 cl; Kingston Jamaica; Product of Jamaica
jm_123: Appleton Estate Joy; Anniversary Blend; Rare Jamaica Rum aged 25 years; Crafted in the heart of Jamaica by master blender Joy Spencl; J. Wray & Nephew
jm_65: Since 1749; Appleton Estate; Aged 30 years; Jamaica Rum
jm_121: Appleton Estate; Exclusive; Minimum 30 Years Old; Jamaica Rum; Crafted in the Heart of Jamaica; ??? Limited Edition
jm_122: Since 1749; Appleton Estate; Rare Limited Edition; Aged 30 Years; Jamaica Independence Reserve Jamaica Rum; ??? Fifty Years; Jamaica Independence 1962 - 2012; Bottle 043 of 800
jm_162: Appleton Estate; Crafted and aged i the Heart of Jamaica; Aged a minimum of eight years; 8; Reserve; Crafted to commemorate our 2050 Anniversary. This rum blend includes select reserve pot-still. Stock from our renownwd aged inventory; 70 cl; Established 1749; Nassau Valley; 43% vol; Single Estate Jamaica Rum; Joy Spence, Master Blender
jm_167: Jamaica White Rum; Kingston 62; K62; Aged Rum, Proud of its bold and lively character; By the makers of Appleton Estate; Kingston Rum; 1962; J. Wray & Nephew, Kingston, Jamaica; Jamaica's No. 1 Rum Company since 1826
jm6: Special Reserve Wray's Original Jamaica Rum; 40% vol; 0,7 ml; Imported; Distilled & adged in Jamaica by J. Wray and Nephew Ltd, Markers of fine rum since 1825
jm39: Wray & Nephew; 75% proof, 43% alc/vol; 750 ml, 26 2/3 Fl. Oz.; 8 Tropical Years Jamaican Rum; Distilled & adged in Jamaica by: J. Wray and Nephew Ltd, Kingston, Jamaica
jm174: Appleton Estate; Crafted and Aged in the Heart of Jamaica; Signature; Single Estate Jamaica Rum; Our estate's storied history, and commitment to expressing Jamaica's uniquen terroir, is embodied in our signature rum blend; 70 cl; Established 1749, Nassau Valley; 40% vol; 225816; 5024576189100
jm40: Imported from Jamaica; Black Seal Old Jamaica Rum; Destilled & Bottled by J. Wray & Nephew, Kingston, Jamaica; 40% alc/vol; Litre; This product is enjoyed wherever it is served and is specially recommended for confectionery use; Sole agent - Dover Ltd.
jm41: Captain Morgan Jamaica Rum; Destilled, Matured and Blended in Jamaica under Government Supervision J. Wray & Nephew Ltd., 234 Spanish Town Road, Kingston, Jamaica; 750 ml; 40% alc/vol; Product of Jamaica; Finest quality and flavour produced specially for Jamaica
jm_23: Appleton Jamaica Rum; Seit 1749
jm_24: Appleton Reserve 20 year old; Rare Old Jamaican Rum
jm58: Imported; Bottled in Jamaica; U.S. 151 Proof; 4/5 Quart; White Overproof jamaica Rum; Produced & Bottled in Jamaica by J. Wray and Nephew Ltd, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies; Distillers & Blenders since 1825
jm46: Appleton Jamaica Rum Punch; 13% alc/vol; 50 ml; Produced Exclusively for Air Jamaica; J. Wray and Nephew Ltd, Kingston, Jamaica
jm19: Shake well; Wray & Nephew Rum Cream; Made with genuine; overproof rum; Made and blendet under the excise duty law by J.Wray and Nephew Ltd Kingston, Jamaica; 15% Vol.; 20 cl
jm20: Wray & Nephew Sugar Ray Jamaica Rum Punch; Manufactured and bottled in Jamaica under the excise duty law by J.Wray & Nephew Ltd.; shake well; 15% Vol.; 70 cl; 5024576100006
jm_36: Sugar Ray Rum Punch
jm47: Wray & Nephew Coconut Rum Jamaica; 43% alc/vol; 750 ml; Manufactured and bottled in Jamaica under the excise duty law by J.Wray & Nephew Ltd.
jm_54: Since 1825; Wray & Nephew; Rumona; Jamaica Rum Liqueur; 31% alc/vol; Produced and bottled by J.Wray & Nephew Ltd., Kingston, Jamaica, W.I.; Product of Jamaica;
jm158: Blackwell; Fine Jamaican Rum 1625; 40% alc/vol; e 70 cl; Black Gold Special Reserve; Product of Jamaica; Chris Blackwell; Chris Blackwell, the inspiration behind Blackwell Fine Jamaica Rum, hails frome one of Jamaica's oldest merchant families. Settling in Jamaica in 1625, they were renowned for exporting bananas, coconuts and rum; Chris continues in the family tradition with the introduction of Blackwell Fine Jamaican Rum, taken from time-honoured and secret recipes. Blackwell's deep, rich, fragnant, black gold liquid is aged, making it one of the finest gifts Jamaica and Chris have offer. By the way, Chris founded the famed Records label in 1959, which brought Reggae music to the world. Crafting Blackwell's Fine Jamaican Rum with the same passion he has for Reggae, Chris has imbued this black gold liquid with the very warmth and sensuality for with Jamaica and its music are so well appreciated. Distilled, aged & blended in Jamaica, West Indies, by J. Wray & Nephew Ltd. for Well Black, LLC, Strawberry Hill, Irish Town, Jamaica, WI; Imported by Island Trading Company Ltd, London W11 3BU; www.blackwellrum.com; 5060119770107; Blackwell Fine Jamaican Rum is a registered Trademark of Well Black, LLC
jm~7: Appleton Jamaica Rum Special; Estate Distilled Rum; Since 1749; Produced in Jamaica by J. Wray & Nephew Ltd, Kingston, Jamaica, W.I.; 70 cl e; 40% vol; 5024576000108
jm~2: Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum; Old Copperstills on the Appleton Estate impart to our rums their rich flavorful character; Distilled, blended and bottled in Jamaica by J. Wray and Nephew Ltd, Creators of fine rum; 43% vol.; 70 cl
jm~11: Estate distilled; Hand blended; V/X; Since 1749; Appleton Estate; Jamaica Rum; Distilled, blended and bottled in Jamaica by J. Wray & Nephew LTD.; Estate Distilled; e 70 cl; 5024576001006
jm~8: Extra; Aged for minimum of 12 Years; Since 1749; Appleton Estate; Aged 12 Years; Creations of fine rums; Jamaica Rum; Estate Distilled; 43% vol; Distilled, Blended and Bottled by J. Wray & Nephew Ltd; e 70 cl; 5024576006001
jm~9: Matured in Oak Barrels; Aged for minimum of 21 Years; Since 1749; Appleton Estate; Rare Limited Edition; Aged 21 Years; Jamaica Rum; This ultimate Luxury rum is a rare product of the Appleton Estate where rum has been estate distilled and handcrafted since 1749; Bottel No AA 29240; Bottled in 2011; Estate Distilled; Distilled, Blended and Bottled by J. Wray & Nephew Ltd, 234 Spanish Town, Kingston, Jamaica; 43% vol; Product of Jamaica; e 70 cl; 5024576007008
jm~15: Blackwell; Fine Jamaican Rum 1625; 40% alc/vol; e 70 cl; Black Gold Special Reserve; Product of Jamaica; Chris Blackwell; Chris Blackwell, the inspiration behind Blackwell Fine Jamaica Rum, hails frome one of Jamaica's oldest merchant families. Settling in Jamaica in 1625, they were renowned for exporting bananas, coconuts and rum; Chris continues in the family tradition with the introduction of Blackwell Fine Jamaican Rum, taken from time-honoured and secret recipes. Blackwell's deep, rich, fragnant, black gold liquid is aged, making it one of the finest gifts Jamaica and Chris have offer. By the way, Chris founded the famed Records label in 1959, which brought Reggae music to the world. Crafting Blackwell's Fine Jamaican Rum with the same passion he has for Reggae, Chris has imbued this black gold liquid with the very warmth and sensuality for with Jamaica and its music are so well appreciated. Distilled, aged & blended in Jamaica, West Indies, by J. Wray & Nephew Ltd. for Well Black, LLC, Strawberry Hill, Irish Town, Jamaica, WI; Imported by Island Trading Company Ltd, London W11 3BU; www.blackwellrum.com; 5060119770107; Blackwell Fine Jamaican Rum is a registered Trademark of Well Black, LLC