Since SPD signed an exclusive agreement with Maison Ferrand five years ago, this tasting session will be dominated by Planteray products. But thanks to our friends at Bar 1802 (22 rue Pascal, 75005 Paris), we were able to sample a few nuggets from other independent bottlers.
Planteray Isle of Fiji is an excellent introduction to the rich world of Fijian rums. This blended rum, which has spent 2 to 3 years in ex-bourbon casks followed by 1 year in ex-Ferrand cognac casks, is round and smooth (a little too smooth?), with aromas of exotic fruit, vanilla and chocolate (34.90 e, 40%, 70 cl).
Next comes the Fiji Islands 2009 Under the Sea (10 years on site and 3 years in Cognac), a little drier, but still just as attractive with its pastry and banana notes. We love the brightly coloured packaging (49.5%, 70cl, sold out)… The Fuji Islands 2009 Kilchoman Peated Whisky Maturation (6-month finish) is still in the same vein… a meeting of two “monsters”, with the esters and volatile substances of Fiji meeting the peat of Scotch whisky.
Sensitive souls are advised to abstain, but if you’re a thrill-seeker, go for it! Peat and smoke mingle with exotic fruits, all in a very low dosage. But be warned, this is a limited edition (49.6%, 70cl, sold out)!
The 2004s take us back in time. The first is Fiji Islands 2004 (17 years in ex-bourbon casks and 2 years in ex-cognac casks), a great rum that is both balanced and punchy, with fine notes of spices and pheasant, in addition to those of tropical fruit, coconut, pear and vanilla found in the younger editions (50.3%, 0 dosage, €89 per 70 cl).
Next comes my favourite of the range so far: the Planteray Single Cask Fiji Islands Vintage 2004 Umeshu Cask Finish (e99 per 70 cl, 48.6%) which, as its name suggests, has been finished in an ex-cask of Japanese plum liqueur. It has all the qualities of the 2004, with a plum flavour and roundness that give it an insane durability coefficient (in other words, it makes you want to drink it again). 1802 has also launched its own version (0 added sugar, 1 year in ex-umeshu casks at 48.4%), which is also well worth a visit (€109 for 70 cl).
Nuggets from independent bottlers
Donovan Chouari from 1802 also allowed us to taste two nuggets that are now only available on the secondary market: Old Brothers Fiji FSPD 2009 Varua Aito (50 cl, 63.3%) with its esterised notes of varnish, green olive and orange… astonishing! And Famille Ricci Fiji 20 ans (70 cl, 60.1%) with its light notes of tar that enhance the notes of ripe exotic fruit. It’s a cross between Jamaica and Guyana, except we’re somewhere else. Exceptionally long on the palate.
Read also :
Focus terroir – Fiji, rum from the ends of the earth unveiled
Interview – Paul Clark, CEO of The Distillery Co of Fiji