On September 23rd, Rumporter was invited to discover Planteray’s new Single Casks collection, comprising 13 unique expressions. Representing a variety of terroirs from around the world, these rums benefit from the house’s signature: double aging before a third maturation in carefully selected casks.
New origins and partnerships
This 2024 edition is enriched by 13 rums from eight emblematic terroirs, including two new origins: Spain and Paraguay. Among the classics, Barbados is represented with three distinct expressions, followed by two Fijian rums, two Jamaican rums with contrasting profiles, one Panama, one Trinidad, one Cuba, as well as a “Land Sélection” cuvée, an original blend of rums from Trinidad, Panama, Australia, Guyana and Fiji.
The collection also features unexpected collaborations with spirits producers from around the world. These include barrel exchanges with Kyrö (Finnish whisky distillery), Adriatico (Italian amaretto), Kopke (historic port house), and Choya (Japanese producer of umeshu, plum liqueur).
An immersive selection experience for wine merchants
Every year, the Planteray Single Cask program offers industry professionals an exclusive experience: the chance to select their own cask after an immersive tasting session. This enables retailers to offer their customers limited, personalized editions, creating a unique connection with their consumers.
“Our customers take great pride in participating in the product selection and development process, offering a bottling that reflects their preferences in a very limited edition. The experience creates a strong relationship of trust between spirits retailers and their customers, who are always on the lookout for rare and exceptional products,” explains Jonas Indesteege, Global Rum Prestige Collection Brand Manager for Planteray Rum.
Arthur Andrieu’s favourite cuvées :
Spain 2012 – Pedro ximénez cask – ≈ 43.5%
This column-distilled rum from southern Spain was first aged for 11 years in the Mediterranean climate, followed by 4 months in Ferrand cognac casks and a further 8 months in Pedro Ximénez casks.
The nose is marked by notes of vanilla and smoke, accompanied by roasted and spicy touches (cinnamon, nutmeg). On the palate, the rum reveals surprising complexity, with flavors of caramel, prune and coconut. The finish is long and dry, with accents of roasted coffee and smoked molasses.
First vintage of this tasting and first (pleasant) surprise. Although this is a relatively light rum (with 110 g/hL AA of volatile compounds and 44 g/hL AA of esters), I was expecting an even lighter expression. However, the result is well-balanced and rather complex. The use of the famous PX sherry cask, ironically dubbed the “golden retriever of casks” by Alexandre Gabriel because of its ability to match almost any spirit, brings here a depth and structure that enriches the rum without overpowering it. The Pedro Ximénez blends in perfectly, offering sweet, woody notes that complement the rum’s subtle richness.
Technical info: 2-day fermentation, column distillation, volatile compounds: 110 g/hL AA; esters: 44 g/hL AA; no dosage; 30 barrels of 250 liters.
Paraguay 2019 – Kyrö rye whisky cask – ≈ 45.7%
Planteray’s first Paraguayan expression, this rum comes from the Fortin distillery, one of the largest in Latin America. Located in the heart of Paraguay, the distillery grows three varieties of sugar cane on more than 1,500 hectares. Harvesting is done by hand, followed by traditional pressing on site, using ancient methods. The resulting juice, from a single pressing, is then cooked to produce cane honey (or cane syrup).
For this cuvée, Planteray teamed up with the Finnish distillery Kyrö, renowned for its rye whiskies. The rum spent a year in ex-rye barrels, giving it an atypically fruity and floral profile.
The nose is marked by aromas of pineapple, banana, citrus, apple and apricot, accompanied by herbaceous and floral, almost mentholated nuances. Notes of wood, vanilla, cinnamon and a hint of sweet rye bread complete the aromatic palette. On the palate, the rum is round and rich, with flavors of baked pear, lychee, strawberry, and hints of toasted walnut and even chestnut. The finish is long and complex, dominated by accents of rye bread, honey, berries and mocha, with a hint of smoke and pepper to enhance.
Technical info: 2 to 3-day fermentation, 20-tray copper column distillation, volatile compounds: 403 g/hL AA; esters: 71 g/hL AA; 12 g/L dosage; 20 200-liter casks.
Barbados 2017 – Adriatico amaretto cask – ≈ 42.5%
A delicacy from the selection, this cuvée is marked by the pastry notes contributed by the Adriatico amaretto cask, an almond liqueur, after 7 months of maturation. The rum profile highlights aromas of almonds and frangipane, with hints of vanilla, nutmeg, roasted coffee and citrus peel.
Technical info: 2 to 3-day fermentation, column and pot still distillation, volatile compounds: 167 g/hL AA; esters: 59 g/hL AA; no dosage; 5 x 200-liter casks.
Trinidad 2011 – Kopke port cask – ≈ 48.4%
One of the most intense cuvées in the series, resulting from a partnership with Kopke, the oldest Port house (Portuguese muté wine) for a cask exchange. This Trinidad was aged for 9 months in port casks.
The nose is focused on esters, with aromas of blackberry, raspberry, cherry and plum, followed by tropical fruit. The palate is balanced with flavors of raspberry, banana, apricot and a touch of violet. The finish is long and elegant, with passion fruit, strawberry, mango, almond, and hints of leather, cinnamon, citrus and coconut.
Technical info: fermentation 2-3 days, column distillation, volatile compounds: 784 g/hL AA; esters: 145 g/hL AA; no dosage; 19 barrels of 550 liters.
Fiji 2004 – Umeshu plum liqueur cask – ≈ 49.7%
The oldest cask in this series is the fruit of a partnership with Choya, a famous Japanese producer of umeshu: plum-based liqueur. The casks used initially contained a liqueur obtained by macerating green, unripe ume plums in shōchū (Japanese spirit) and sugar. This rum is one of the oldest from the Planteray cellars, with 17 years of aging in a tropical climate in bourbon barrels in Fiji, followed by 2 years in Ferrand cognac barrels (continental climate) and 1 year in ex umeshu plum liqueur barrels.
The nose is rich and deep, with notes of plum, yellow and tropical fruits such as peach, nectarine and pineapple. On the palate, the balance between the aromatic intensity of Fijian rum and the tangy freshness provided by the umeshu cask is remarkable. Flavors of prune, banana, citrus, coconut and vanilla blend harmoniously. Melon and marzipan add a creamy texture, while hints of dark chocolate and smoke add complexity. The finish is long, marked by notes of cocoa, incense, roasted nuts and apricot, with a light touch of toffee and herbal nuances.
This is my favorite cuvée of the series.
Technical info: 4-5 day fermentation, column distillation, volatile compounds: 432 g/hL AA; esters: 157 g/hL AA, 30 barrels of 350 liters.
Jamaica VRW 2017 – Willet Kentucky bourbon cask – ≈ 52,5%
A Jamaica VRW 100% pot-still to bring this discovery to a fitting close. This Wedderburn was first aged for 6 months in ex-bourbon casks in a tropical climate, before spending 5 years and 10 months in Ferrand cognac casks in a continental climate. The final touch was 8 months in barrels containing Kentucky Willet bourbon.
The nose is intensely fruity, dominated by esters. Aromas of ripe banana, melon, pineapple and lime zest are enhanced by notes of overripe fruit. Hints of vanilla, nutmeg and caramel enrich this aromatic complexity. On the palate, the rum fully expresses the typical Jamaican character, with an explosion of pineapple, citrus, apple and cherry. These fruits are complemented by spices, blond tobacco and a hint of caramel. The finish is long and vibrant, dominated by citrus notes and enhanced by smoky nuances, cinnamon, custard, coffee and almond, with a hint of pepper to top it all off.
Technical info: one-week fermentation, pot-still distillation, volatile compounds: 885 g/hL AA; esters: 191 g/hL AA; 20 x 200-liter casks.
Barrel swaps
Barbados 2017, aged in Adriatico amaretto casks – 70cl, approx. 42.5% ABV
Trinidad 2011, aged in Kopke Port casks – 70cl, about 48.4% ABV
Paraguay 2019, aged in Kyrö rye whisky casks – 70cl, approx. 45.7% ABV
Fiji Islands 2004, aged in Ume Japanese fruit liqueur casks – 70cl, approx. 49.7% ABV
Ex-liqueur casks
Fiji Islands 2004, aged in Japanese Ume fruit liqueur casks – 70cl, approx. 49.7% ABV
Jamaica 5 years, aged in Ferrand Dry Curaçao casks – 70cl, approx. 48.0% ABV
Fiji Islands 2019, aged in coffee liqueur casks – 70cl, approx. 46.5% ABV
Barbados 2017, aged in Adriatico amaretto casks – 70cl, approx. 42.5% ABV
Ex-wine cask
Land Selection 12 ans, aged in muscatel casks – 70cl, approx. 47.5% ABV
Barbade 2018, aged in Saint-Estèphe wine casks – 70cl, approx. 51.7% ABV
Barbade 2016, aged in Amarone wine casks – 70cl, approx. 45.8% ABV
Panama XO, aged in Marsala wine casks – 70cl, approx. 44.0% ABV
Ex-fortified wine cask
Spain 2012, aged in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks – 70cl, approx. 43.5% ABV
Trinidad 2011, aged in Kopke Port casks – 70cl, approx. 48.4% ABV
Ex-spirits casks
Paraguay 2019, aged in Kyrö rye whisky barrels – 70cl, approx. 45.7% ABV
Jamaica VRW 2017, aged in Kentucky Bourbon casks – 70cl, approx. 52.5% ABV
Special wood casks
Cuba 2016, aged in multi-oak casks – 70cl, approx. 44.6% ABV