Page 50 - JWN

Joy
The year 2017 was a very special year for a phenomenal woman who continues to make history, deserving of the title ‘Legend’.
Our Master Blender, Dr. Joy Spence, C.D. joined J. Wray & Nephew in 1981 and over the past 35 years, she has blazed an unforgettable trail in the spirits industry. She celebrated her 20th anniversary in 2017 as Appleton Estate’s Master Blender, a position she has the distinction of being the first woman in the world to hold. Joy took on her historic role with her usual positive outlook and over the past two decades has created some of the finest rums including Apple- ton Estate Reserve Blend and Appleton Estate Rare Blend 12-year-old. In 2017, she specially created the 25-year-old Joy Anniversary Blend in honour of her role as Master Blender, in celebration of her holding the title for 20 years.
“For my anniversary blend, I simply set out to create the rum that I’d like to sip while watching the colours of my garden change in the warm
year of
glow of the Jamaican sunset,” said Joy Spence. “It includes two rum marques which are of particular sentimental signif- icance to me. The first of these marques was laid down to age in 1981, which is the year I joined the Appleton Estate team, and the second is my favourite marque of pot still rum. The final blend is a wonderful rum that I hope will be become a cornerstone of my legacy.”
A key event for the year in her honour was the launch for the anniversary blend which was held at Hope Gardens in April. Family, friends and specially invited
guests converged at the Sunken Garden for a special evening - to experience ‘Joy’. According to Dr. Spence, it is a very humbling feeling to see the growth of the Appleton brand and the Wray & Nephew brand globally. It’s justified to say she is truly an inspiration to other players in the industry and others who aspire to be like her.
In October, Dr. Spence received the prestigious national award - Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander (CD) by the government, in recognition of her contribution to the promotion of Jamaica’s rum industry and Brand Jamaica globally. The signif- icance of her passion and dedication is evident in this recognition, a second state award bestowed on the alcohol connoisseur.
The J. Wray & Nephew family subsequently highlighted this award by hosting an event in honour of Joy and Jimmy dubbed ‘Saluting our Heroes’ for both receiv-
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in high sPirits