Plantation Rum has simply dropped six new expressions in its Plantation Rum Classic Assortment, all uncommon, small batch collections of just some dozen barrels every, all sourced from single distilleries and none youthful than 9 years of age.
Dubbed the “Below the Sea” assortment, we had been lucky to attempt all six for assessment.
Plantation Rum Panama 2008 – Aged 12 years in bourbon casks within the Caribbean, 1 12 months in France. Surprisingly aggressive, with an enormous punch of flambeed banana on the nostril and palate. Toasted coconut and a stunning hogo punch evoke a pot nonetheless high quality, although it is a conventional, column-distilled rum. Vibrant notes of honey and lemon peel spar with a grassy high quality that fades right into a spicy however approachable end, with ample, fruity esters tamped down by extra warmth than you’d anticipate at this abv. If you need a reasonably funky rum with out the overwhelming character that Jamaica can deliver, that is price a glance. 91.4 proof. B+ / $75
Plantation Rum Jamaica Clarendon MSP 2007 – Made out of 28 casks aged 15 years in each the Caribbean and France. A balanced, versatile pot nonetheless rum expression from Jamaica, gently funky on the nostril, that includes a frivolously grassy character, some creosote, and a modest complement of stewed fruits. Toasty however not sizzling on the palate, flavors of toasted coconut, burnt sugar, and lime zest all work properly with a juicy, raisiny underbelly. Plenthy of simmering molasses and vanilla spherical out a refreshing but punchy end. An ideal base for an elevated cocktail. 96.8 proof. A- / $70
Plantation Rum Fiji Islands 2009 – 25 casks of 100% pot nonetheless rum, 10 years aged within the tropics, 3 years in France. One of the vital fruit-forward rums I’ve ever encountered, this expression is a firework of pineapple, lemongrass, and grapefruit peel — and that’s simply on the nostril. The palate is juicy and unattainable to place down, loaded with a mix of tropical fruits, citrus starting from lime to quince, and a gentle vanilla and caramel be aware to assist wrap issues up right into a neat little bow. Hints of coconut and a few espresso bean, very delicate, inform a lush, candy end. There’s a 3g/liter sugar dosage right here, which provides a major sweetness that purists could not admire, however rattling if it doesn’t work. 99 proof. A / $75
Plantation Rum Barbados 2013 – The child of the bunch, this Barbados bottling is a mix of column and Gregg pot nonetheless, 8 years spent in 200-liter bourbon casks on the island, then a 12 months in 400-liter Ferrand casks in France. Essentially the most versatile rum on this lineup, right here we discover components working throughout the board: aromas of barrel char, baking spice, stewed fruits, and gunpowder give the nostril a extra savory, sandalwood-laced texture. The palate sweetens issues up, rolling into plum and cherry, then ceding the way in which for vanilla and contemporary coconut notes to work their approach into the combo. The end is a mixture of candy and savory, fairly spicy with a cherry-raisin-cinnamon concoction that feels fairly festive. Once more, a workhorse rum that hits all of the excessive factors — however which is a delight by itself, too. A- / $80
Plantation Rum Venezuela 2010 – A column nonetheless rum that spends 8 years in bourbon barrels, then 4 extra in Ferrand’s French oak. Classic Venezuelan rum isn’t a typical discover. This rum from Distileria Couch affords a well-rounded, approachable expression of rum, amply balancing fruit, warmth, and charry spice notes. None of those stand out significantly on nostril or palate, although time in glass helps a smoldering caramel, laced with spices, to return into focus. Gently raisiny with a powerful through-line of molasses, the end sees some hints of clove and coconut. A basic illustration. 104 proof. A- / $90
Plantation Rum Guyana 2007 – One other unusual spot for a classic launch, this providing is a mix of Port Mourant pot nonetheless and column nonetheless rum, aged 13 years on bourbon casks and a pair of years in Ferrand casks. Fairly candy regardless of no sugar dosage, the rum has an uncommon nostril of sesame oil and barely smoky notes of dried grasses and a contact of barbecue sauce. A little bit funky on the palate, the sweetness feels barely candylike and a bit doughy, sugar cookies melding fitfully with mushroom and a barely vegetal be aware. It’s a bit brighter on the coconut-laced end, although I by no means felt this completely gelled the way in which the opposite rums within the assortment do, the fade-out taking a considerably winey detour. 102 proof. B / $85
Plantation Rum Fiji Islands 2009
$75
