For those of you in the immediate Richmond, Virginia area you are welcome to join other club members in person where we will zoom in together on a large screen at the home of Tiki John Atkins in Richmond’s Museum District. Please RSVP to let us know if you'll be coming to Tiki John's.

We will be tasting various rums with David, so make sure they're available if you have any of these on hand:

• Appleton Signature

• Appleton Estate 8 Year

• Appleton Estate 12 Year

• Appleton 21 Year

David will also talk about the Hearts Collection. Specifically we will taste the 1999 in that series. If you don’t have all or even any of these the meeting will be educational. Some of you may have other Appleton or Wray & Nephew expressions -- feel free to tune in with those and ask David questions.

Tiki John will have all of these rums as well as all of the Hearts collection to taste for anyone attending in person at his home. The session should last from 60 to 90 minutes.

About David Morrison

Born and raised in Jamaica, David Morrison developed a strong connection to his country's cultural and culinary traditions at an early age as he watched his father and grandfather distill their own spirits using time-honoured techniques passed down through generations. This early exposure ignited his curiosity and a lifelong ambition to become a master blender and distiller.

David's journey in the world of rum began when he joined Appleton Estate as a Senior Analyst in July 1999, where he had the privilege of learning from some of the industry's best-known legends, like Appleton Estate’s Master Blender Dr. Joy Spence.

Over the past 25 years, David Morrison honed his craft, gaining invaluable experience in every aspect of the rum-making process. He immersed himself in the art of selecting the finest sugarcane, mastering fermentation techniques and perfecting the aging process in oak barrels. This extensive knowledge and hands-on experience enabled him to develop a deep appreciation for the intricate nuances of rum production. His dedication, natural talent, and unwavering commitment to quality soon set him apart, and he quickly rose through the ranks.

After being named Senior Blender in 2003, David assumed the responsibility of curating and blending the distillery's premium rums, each one a testament to the centuries-old Jamaican rum-making tradition. Working closely with Dr. Joy Spence on blends such as Appleton Estate Decades and Appleton Estate 15-Year-Old Black River Casks have brought some of his proudest moments to date. But David's crowning achievement came in 2024 when he was appointed Deputy Master Blender for Appleton Estate. Under the stewardship of David and Dr. Joy Spence, Appleton Estate's rums have garnered numerous awards and accolades, solidifying their status as some of the world's finest spirits.

David Morrison's dedication extends beyond blending; he also takes pride in fostering sustainable and ethical practices within the industry, working with West Indies Rum & Spirits Producers’ Association (WIRSPA) to ensure that proper standards are defined and maintained. He champions the investment in the next generation by giving back to institutions such as his alma mater St. George’s College.

While not a mixologist, he enjoys experimenting in his personal bar and has developed syrups and cocktails that keep his friends and guests coming back for more. David’s love for all things Jamaica of course means one his passions is music, and when he is not blending rum, he can often be found entertaining as a DJ, creating mixes of Dancehall, Reggae, R&B and Hip-Hop to keep the dance floor moving. He lives by the mantra “If you’re having fun, that’s when the best memories are built”, and this philosophy drives his infectious smile, love for family, and the passion he puts into everything he does.