The annual tasting of Plantation Single Casks is always an enriching experience, with its share of surprises, often very good ones.
Par Adrien Bonetto et Fabien Humbert
La dégustation annuelle des Single Casks de Plantation est toujours une expérience enrichissante, qui réserve son lot de surprises, souvent très bonnes. Alexandre Gabriel (propriétaire de Plantation, Ferrand, Citadel…) ne considère pas ses single casks (une série de fûts uniques) comme des rhums en finish (malgré ce qui est indiqué sur l’étiquette). La plupart d’entre eux ont en effet connu une véritable maturation d’au moins un an (jusqu’à 5 ans cette fois-ci).
Alexandre Gabriel (owner of Plantation, Ferrand, Citadel…) does not consider his single casks (a series of unique barrels) to be finished rums (despite what is stated on the label). Most of them have in fact matured for at least a year (up to 5 years this time).
This is even a third ageing, as all the rums were first rested in ex-bourbon casks at their distillation sites (Barbados, Belize, Jamaica, Fiji, Panama, El Salvador, Guyana, Trinidad and Guatemala), then continental ageing in the Plantation cellars in ex-Ferrand cognac casks in Cognac, and this third maturation in casks that have previously been used for a variety of wines and spirits (Rivesaltes, peated or unpeated whisky, port, red wine, cognac, sherry, etc.).
It should be noted that some vintages have been subject to barrel swaps, i.e. the friendly distillery (Arran, for example) has supplied barrels to age Plantation rums, while Plantation has supplied its barrels to Arran to age its whiskies.
Barbados 10 years, aged in Arran single malt whisky casks – 70 cl – 47% – €65
Fiji Islands 2017, aged in Ironroot Republic “Promethean” bourbon casks – 70 cl – 50% – €60
Guyane 2011, aged in Islay Big Peat single malt whisky casks – 70 cl – 49% – €80
Barbados 8 years, aged in port casks – 70 cl – 47% – €65
Belize 2015, aged in cherry liqueur barrels – 70 cl – 45% – €80
El Salvador 2015, aged in red Pineau des Charentes wine barrels – 70 cl – 49% – €80
Jamaïque 2012, aged in calvados barrels – 70 cl – 51% alcohol
Panama 2010, aged in sherry casks – 70 cl – 50% – €70
Barbade 2014, aged in Rivesaltes wine barrels – 70 cl – 48% – €65
Fiji Islands 2011, aged in Marsala wine casks – 70 cl – 52% – €65
Trinidad 2011, aged in Burgundy wine barrels – 70 cl – 50 % – 70 € (in French)
Trinidad 2016, aged in mezcal barrels – 70 cl – 51% – €60
