PLANTATION O.F.T.D. RUM
STYLE: Overproof Rum
PRODUCER: PLANTATION (Sourced)
REGION: GUYANA (DDL), JAMAICA (Long Pond) & BARBADOS (WID)
AGE: NAS
ABV: 69% (138 Proof)
As someone who got into spirits because of cocktail culture; it is impossible not to love this rum for multiple reasons. From what I have gathered in; in 2016 Plantation released this rum line up with the 2016 Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans. For those of you who do not know about TOTC; the best way to describe is basically like a week-long Oscars party for spirits professionals. To further expand on that, Plantation set out to blend this rum with some of the World’s leading authorities in rum and tiki culture including:
Jeff Barry – Latitude 29 (New Orleans)
Paul McGee – Lost Lake (Chicago)
Scotty Schuder – Dirty Dick’s (Paris)
Martin Cate – Smuggler’s Cove (San Francisco)
Cognac Ferrand Brand Ambassador Paul McFayden – Trailer Happiness (London)
The project was overseen by Cocktail Historian David Wondrich and Pierre Ferrand’s Master Blender Alexandre Gabriel.
Color: A core of deep rusty copper and blood orange highlights.
Nose: The nose is powerful and heavy with notes of tobacco, molasses, earthy aromatics and pineapple rind accented by subtle and refreshing sea air. I am instantly transported to New Orleans. The aromatics remind me of something satiating yet refreshing that cuts through the heavy damp air of the city.
Palate: The flavors are initially lost to the alcohol, but slowly reveal themselves with notes of smoky coffee, caramelized pineapple, vanilla beans and bananas foster. Underneath the big, bold flavors there are nuances of grassiness and hogo.
Mouthfeel: The high proof on this translates the flavors to the mouthfeel. The rum feels creamy and heavy, coating the entire palate.
Finish: This is where the proof really makes itself evident. The rich flavors fade away and all that is left earthy and spicy ginger, scotch-bonnet and maritime that pulls all the moisture from your mouth.
Overall: Despite the love ‘em or hate ‘em reputation that Plantation seems to be gaining in the rum world; I think we can all agree that this is an absolutely wonderful rum. The irony for me is that even though this is a blend brought to us by the Gurus of Tiki; I can’t bring myself to mix this. This would probably be killer in a banana daiquiri; however, I find this is ideal to sip on after letting an ice cube melt in this. But to each their own.
