About Plantation Rum

Plantation Rum is a relatively young brand, but its production is based on centuries of experience and production methods. It is part of the Maison Ferrand company, founded in 1989 by Alexandre Gabriel, which has built up a worldwide reputation for handcrafted cognacs, gins and rums. Gabriel managed to help the Ferrand family business from Grande Champagne, which had existed for ten generations, to get back on its feet economically when it was barely able to sell its high-quality brandy. New sales markets opened up and Maison Ferrand now exports all over the world.

In the 1990s, Alexandre Gabriel set off in search of first-class rums with a special character in the Caribbean. At the end of the 1990s, he finally founded Plantation Rum, a brand that combines traditional techniques from rum and cognac production: Plantation distillates first mature for several years in former bourbon barrels in the tropics and are then transported by ship to the French region of Cognac. Here, a second ageing process takes place in oak barrels owned by the Ferrand family at the Château de Bonbonnet, which gives the rum its unique character.
In 2012, Alexandre Gabriel was honoured as "Master Rum Blender of the Year" at the Golden Rum Barrel Awards and as "Distiller of the Year" by the American Distilling Institute.
In 2017, Gabriel took over the West Indies Rum Distillery, which was founded in 1893 and is the second oldest distillery in Barbados, as well as shares in the Clarendon and Long Pond distilleries. As a result, the majority of Plantation's rum comes from Barbados and Jamaica, but also from Central and South America and the South Pacific.

What does Plantation Rum taste like?

Plantation relies on an enormous range of rums: some are distilled by large and well-known distilleries, others come from completely unknown distilleries. Plantation also sources rum from countries that are less known globally as rum producers, such as Fiji, Guyana and Haiti. The aim is to reflect the entire diversity of the rum world, based on the various regional ingredients and traditional production methods in the respective countries of origin.
Distillation takes place in both pot still and column still styles. As rums from small distilleries in particular are often single casks or exclusive vintage rums, they usually have a character all of their own, which has won over the experts at Plantation Rum. They are also strictly limited due to the vintage date or single cask production and are popular with rum enthusiasts and connoisseurs. In addition to these rums from the premium segment, Plantation's blends and bar classics are also impressive and are a good introduction to rum from a particular country.
Plantation Rum matures its distillates in two, sometimes even three different types of cask. In addition to former whiskey barrels, which are typical for rum, these are cognac barrels from Ferrand and sherry or wine barrels. This special storage process allows the rum to absorb a wide variety of flavours from the different barrels during the maturation process, giving Plantation Rum complex notes and a full-bodied aroma.

The Plantation Rum range

Plantation Original Dark Barbados & Jamaica 40%

This rum is an excellent introduction to the world of Plantation Rum. It is a blend of rums from Jamaica and Barbados. These were stored in ex-bourbon barrels and then married before being allowed to mature for some time in ex-cognac barrels - typical of Plantation Rum. The resulting dark rum is full-bodied, mild and sweet, with notes of caramel, sultanas and tropical fruit. You can use it as a versatile base for cocktails or simply enjoy it over ice.

Plantation Isle of Fiji 40%

This rum is a rarity - it comes from Fiji in the South Pacific, a country where rum has only ever been produced in small quantities. The molasses for this special rum is made from local sugar cane and distilled in pot and column stills. The distillate is then stored for two to three years in former bourbon barrels before being shipped to France. Here it is matured for a second year or so in cognac casks. The Plantation Isle of Fiji is extremely mild, with fruity and spicy notes. In addition to apples, pears, honey and prunes, vanilla, nutmeg, ginger and a little coconut are also recognisable. The finish is very long with sweet, spicy and woody notes. To savour its full complexity, you should enjoy this rum neat.

Plantation Barbados XO 20th Anniversary 40%

As its name suggests, this exclusive rum comes from the Caribbean island of Barbados. It is considered the flagship of Plantation Rum and was launched to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Alexandre Gabriel's appointment as Master Blender and is particularly close to his heart. The multi-award-winning blended rum, which has received very high scores from critics, gets its dark colour ranging from copper to mahogany from a very long ageing process: after distillation, it is aged for up to 15 years in US ex-bourbon barrels made from white oak. This is followed by the obligatory second maturation for Plantation Rum in cognac barrels at the rum producer's headquarters in France. This lasts two to ten years until Alexandre Gabriel is satisfied with the flavour. The Barbados XO 20th Anniversary has a complex flavour profile: In addition to tropical and floral aromas, cocoa, vanilla and milk chocolate are also recognisable. Overall, it is smooth and rather sweet, with an elegant, long-lasting finish. It is predestined to be enjoyed neat or on ice.