Planteray Original Dark Rum is a Dark Rum from the Planteray Rum brand crafted in Barbados.
Planteray Original Dark Rum is a blend of rums from Trinidad and Tobago, aged in bourbon casks and finished in cognac barrels, resulting in a rich, complex flavor profile. Interestingly, the brand's name "Plantation" has sparked controversy due to its historical connotations, leading the company to announce in 2020 that they would change the name to better reflect modern values and sensitivities.
Cocktail enthusiasts should embrace Planteray Original Dark Rum for its distinctive double-aging process, which combines traditional Caribbean maturation with a second aging in French Cognac casks. This unique method imparts a complex flavor profile featuring notes of tropical fruits, vanilla, and subtle spices, while the Cognac influence adds a refined smoothness that sets it apart from other dark rums on the market.
Planteray Original Dark Rum shines in tropical-style cocktails, where its rich molasses notes and subtle spice can truly come alive. This versatile spirit also holds its own when sipped neat or over ice on warm summer evenings, and pairs beautifully with grilled meats, barbecue, or decadent chocolate desserts.
Nose: Caramel and molasses dominate, followed by hints of vanilla and tropical fruits like banana and pineapple. A subtle oakiness lingers in the background, along with a touch of spice.
Palate: Rich and full-bodied. Brown sugar and dark caramel flavors lead, complemented by ripe banana and a hint of coconut. Warm baking spices like cinnamon and nutmeg add complexity. The oak influence is more pronounced, bringing a slight tannic quality.
Finish: Medium to long. The sweetness fades, giving way to a drier, spicier conclusion. Lingering notes of toasted oak, dark chocolate, and a touch of tobacco. A subtle warmth remains, reminiscent of cinnamon and black pepper.
Planteray Original Dark Rum undergoes a unique two-stage aging process, first in bourbon casks in the Caribbean and then in smaller Cognac casks in France. This double-aging technique, combined with the addition of local Caribbean sugar, imparts a rich complexity and smooth finish to the rum, setting it apart from more traditionally produced dark rums.
I tried this rum in a dark daiquiri with maple syrup and it had some very complex flavors (which I personally like) I love trying to figure out what this and that flavor is in a drink, with this rum specifically in a daiquiri it’ll leave you scratching your head trying to figure out what those flavors are, I love it highly recommend it to anyone.
While this rum is far from the most complex, and is low on funk for being blended with a Jamaican, it is approachable, affordable, **** delicious and carries itself firmly enough that it neither falls to the background of, or overwhelms the drink it’s mixed in and lends itself well to a wide host of applications. This is a permanent fixture in my home bar and when one bottle runs dry, it is swiftly replaced.
Great rum works well in my tiki drinks - Tortuga!!
This rum is an amazing mixed, full of flavor and has a great variety of different rum styles all packed into one bottle. If you enjoy mixed rum drinks this is a must in my opinion. I find myself wanting to use it in everything, and the price point is perfect for that.
I love all plantation rums but when it comes to "dark" rums in general I find this one the sweetest I had tried so far, which is not a completely bad thing but can turn some people off (Plantation is known for adding sugar to their rums). If you are looking for something funkier, I recommend myers dark. Compared to goslings dark I would pick this rum over it all day, be it a dark and stormy or cuba libre.
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Please drink responsibly. CA Residents: Proposition 65 Warning.
