Plantation rum brand is well known here, I already tasted tenths of their rums. Partly thanks theirs Single Cask editions, which comes with more than ten each year. Really, in Czech this is my 20th reviewed Plantation rum on my site.
Brand called Plantation comes from France, from mind of Alexandre Gabriel and cellar of congnac house Maison Ferrand. It started 30 years ago by buying casks of rum in Carribean and now it is big and famous brand. It started as independent bottler, now it owns Barbados WIRD distillery and have partial ownership of two Jamaican distilleries. They also put forward their significant second aging in France in cognac casks, which is part of all their rums. And for example third special aging for their single casks.
That is the highest offer of brand, three lines called Plantation Vintage, Plantation Single Cask a Plantation Extreme. The lower of their offer is part of two lines – Bar Classics and Signature Blends. Bar line have silver 3 Star, aged Original Dark, overproof called O.F.T.D. and flavoured Stiggins Fancy Pineapple. Signature Blends is much more bigger line, with several rums from Barbados at start, like their famous 20th Anniversary rum. And of course todays Xaymaca.
Xaymaca Special Dry is renewal of Jamaican tradition in Plantation. It is blend of two Jamaican rums, both mollases based and pot still distilled. First is from John Dore pot still in Long Pondu, second from Vendôme still in Clarendon. Firstly the rums age for 1 to 3 years in ex-bourbon casks at home, the final blend then age for one more year in french cellar in ex-Ferrand cognac cask. Strength is pleasant 43 % ABV and price for the bottle is more than reasonable.
Nose is very fresh and fruity. It is highly light, with soft juicyness and sweetness. It is very full with tropical fruits. The most is here pineapple, but also some citruses. After fruit, there are some hints of chocolate in background. Smell is overall soft and pleasant.
Taste is full and soft, suprisingly not too sweet. Again, it is little bit juicy and with very fresh fruitiness. Tropical fruit is dominating the taste. There are some bananas and citruses, there is lots of pineapple. It is lightly sweet and strongly fruity taste, juicy and fresh. And also very smooth. If something, it is not too complicated.
Aftertaste is full of tropical fruit, it is juicy and fresh. It suprisingly full and dense, again its not too sweet. Its mostly fruity, but there are some hints of woodiness and coconut.
There is no need to talk about this rum much here, it is simply good rum and fantastic entry funky jamaican piece. Its very pleasant and drinkable, its quite cheap. I would say pretty ideal deal for someone not yet submerged into Jamaican rum. Just go and try it.
